Agricultural and natural resource leadership development programs are designed to build leadership capacity amongst emergent and established leaders within the industry. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the characteristics of leadership development program participants and to propose a conceptual framework within which to capture the different contextual variables that exist for adult learners. A descriptive study provides baseline participant data across a range of demographic characteristics within both individual and work-related contexts. Agricultural educators and leadership development program directors are encouraged to use the study results as a starting point for preparing recruitment strategies, developing curriculum and educational interventions, and maintaining contact with adult agricultural leadership development program alumni.