PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Seven South Dakotans have been chosen for the inaugural class of a new, agricultural leadership program being launched in the state.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Leadership Academy Steering Committee Chairman Eric Jennings says the hope is this class– and future classes– will increase the number of people willing to take leading rolls for the various agriculture-related groups in the state.

Jennings says the class members represent varying degrees of experience.

One of the features of the Academy, according to Jennings, is showing the future leaders aspects of South Dakota agriculture that they may not otherwise have an opportunity to see.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Leadership Academy class members come from Howard (Mitchell Vander Wal), Kimball (Colin Geppert), Lake Preston (Riley Casper), Mitchell (Addie Womack), Canova (Colton and Maria Buus) and Centerville (Trevor Johnson).

South Dakota Corn and Farm Credit Services of America are collaborating with the Cattlemen’s Association to facilitate the program.