Business View Magazine | May/June 2022

99 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 5 Perhaps the most popular education opportunity known throughout the industry is the League’s Footing Academy in which facility managers and their operators become proficient in all aspects of arena footing. This important program has been expanded in recent years to include an Advanced Footing Academy that culminates in a footing maintenance practicum and exam. Another of the League’s highly esteemed continuing education offerings is its certification program. Working in association with Middle Tennessee State University, the League developed the Certified Manager of Equine Centers (CMEC) program. Members satisfy curriculum requirements through education credits, Footing Academy attendance, essay composition on an industry topic, and an oral interview. To date, the League has certified 30 managers with five currently progressing toward program completion. In 2022, the League continues to be directed by a 10-member volunteer Board supported by one Executive Administrator, and its key responsibilities and mission remain serving its members and associations by sharing knowledge and experience, providing beneficial services and resources, setting industry standards, and creating awareness and appreciation of the ag and equine business realm while also representing its best interests in all areas. Facing the universal challenges of the COVID Pandemic with solidarity and austerity, the League’s directors and associates have displayed true grit and determination as all remain confidently committed to their mission that advances the success of ag and equine professionals. The depth of their resilience and the height of their passion in these last few years has been tested and confirmed. The future of the industry is promising with seemingly limitless potential still to be tapped, and the League is both grateful for and THE LEAGUE OF AGR I CULTURAL AND EQUINE CENTERS