Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders

IFAL (Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders) is a unique five-day summer leadership conference that exposes students to college life and explores different fields of study for careers in agriculture. IFAL participants will stay in university dormitories, eat in university dining facilities and become acquainted with the college campuses of Murray State University and the University of Kentucky. The conference will include special leadership classes, exciting speakers, team-building recreation, fellowship, and visits to research farms and agriculture-related industries.

Our dates for 2026 are June 14-18 at Murray State University and June 21-25 at the University of Kentucky.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:
High school students who are completing their junior year in 2026 and who are among the top, well-rounded students in their class are eligible to attend IFAL. Participants will be selected by their county Farm Bureau board of directors with the assistance of school personnel and/or youth group advisors. Students selected to participate should have an interest in furthering their education at the post-secondary level.

A maximum of 45 qualified applicants will be selected for each IFAL conference, not to exceed 4 participants per county. The cost to attend IFAL is $400 per participant paid for by the county Farm Bureau. Selected students will be notified via email.

Students may state their preference concerning which IFAL session they wish to attend. However, stating a preference does not guarantee selection to a specific conference. No one will be assigned to an IFAL conference they did not initially select without personal contact with, and approval from, the student or a family member.

DEADLINE:
Completed applications and required documents must be received by Tuesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
(Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Please submit the required documents below as attachments:
1. PDF Copy: Official High School Transcript (2.0 minimum GPA)
2. PDF Copy: Letter of Recommendation
3. JPG: Professional Headshot Photo

Name*

First NameLast Name

Preferred Name*

Gender*

Date of Birth*

Date

Age*

Primary Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email (personal)*

example@example.com

*Please confirm that you will have access to this email address through June 2025. All communication regarding IFAL will be sent to the email address you provide above.

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

County*

Please Select One (Choosing your preference DOES NOT GUARANTEE selection to specific conference.)*

Murray State University: June 14-18University of Kentucky: June 21-25Willing to attend either conference

Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders

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General Questions and Leadership Information