Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program
AgriFutures Australia is committed to supporting the people who are driving, and will drive, the future prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. We do this by investing in leadership, capacity and skills development programs for our stakeholders.
The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is a for-purpose organisation that’s been making strides in rural, regional and remote communities across Australia through the development of courageous and authentic leadership. AgriFutures is offering stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the ARLF TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program with all course fees covered.
Designed for: Emerging rural leaders from any industry in rural, regional, and remote Australia. Course commencement date: Each year in March (exact dates TBC) Duration: Seven days plus travel to and from Canberra, ACT Location: Delivered face-to-face )five days spent outdoors/camping, and two days in a residential setting) in and around Canberra
The TRAIL Emerging Leaders program is an experiential and challenge-based approach to learning that will see you gain an understanding of the fundamental practices for collaborative and adaptive leadership. It encompasses an outdoor leadership experience in the mountains outside Canberra, numerous workshops, panel sessions, and seminars to build and develop leadership capability.
How TRAIL will take you from an emerging leader and turn you into a change maker:
You and your network of peers will explore strategies that allow you to address complex situations.
You’ll undertake a psychometric assessment, increasing not only your understanding of yourself but others too.
Deconstruct and unpack complex situations and assumptions. You’ll learn to do this through exposure to topical issues in rural, regional, and remote Australia.
Learn how to reflect and how to use reflection as an essential tool in effective leadership.
Build and foster lifelong peer networks for future collaborations and support.
Gain an understanding of how your behaviour and the behaviour of others around you can impact your relationships with others.
Explore a range of areas relevant to leadership, including ethics, values, social responsibility, negotiation, communication, and critical thinking.
The TRAIL Program has developed over 180 emerging leaders and all graduates join a network of over 2500 ARLF alumni across the country.
To be eligible for an AgriFutures-supported position, you must be one of the following:
An engaged member of — and intending to remain involved in — one of the following Australian industries:
Chicken meat
Export fodder
Thoroughbred horses
Honey bee & pollination
Rice
Pasture seeds
Ginger
Tea tree oil
Kangaroo
Buffalo
Goat fibre
Deer
An engaged member of — and intending to remain involved in —an emerging Australian agricultural industry (e.g. coffee, hazelnut, industrial hemp, insects, crocodile, seaweed/algae, sesame, truffle, or other up-and-coming rural industries).
Essential Requirements
Two industry participants will be sponsored by AgriFutures Australia to attend the program (valued at ~$12,000 per position). There is no age limit, but you must demonstrate a desire to increase your leadership knowledge and how you intend to use your increased knowledge for betterment of Australian rural industries. The position is not transferable. Participants are required to complete the course assessment and provide evidence of completion to AgriFutures.
You’ll need to be able to commit to interstate travel for the program. These dates are not flexible. The ARLF recommends you speak with your family and your employer before you apply. They need to understand exactly the commitment you’re making and be supportive of the time you’ll be investing.
Application Information
Before you apply
The course fees are fully sponsored by AgriFutures Australia. Eligible AgriFutures stakeholders (outlined above) are encouraged to apply with applications to be assessed and selected by AgriFutures Capacity Building staff. Applicants are required to respond to a number of selection criteria and provide evidence of their engagement in their specified category.
How to apply
Applications for 2026 are currently closed. Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.
Contact
Enquiries about AgriFutures-supported positions
For questions about eligibility, funding support, or the AgriFutures application process, please contact:
Sarah Hope
Manager, Capacity Building
Emily Jones
Coordinator, Capacity Building
Information about the TRAIL program
For program details, structure, and delivery of the program, visit the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s website:
