Tuesday, February 9, 2010

2007 Youth Advisory Council Elected

For Immediate Release: July 24, 2006

Contact: 202-554-1600

DENVER (July 24, 2006) — More than 60 young Farmers Union members from eight states participated in the National Farmers Union All-States Leadership Camp July 9-15, at the organization’s education center in Bailey, Colo. At the conclusion of the camp 23 campers ran for seats on the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).

Following campaign speeches, nine individuals were elected to the 2007 NYAC: Laura Brauer, Altamont, Ill.; Brice Courtnage, Geraldine, Mont.; Amy Czerniak, Medford, Wis.; Logan Fagerberg, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Dwight McMillan, Wimbledon, N.D.; Brian Pates, Burnsville, Minn.; Becky Ponick, Stanley, Wis.; Sadie Wardner, Coleharbor, N.D.; and Jared Whitcomb, Matfield Green, Kan.

“Education is at the base of the Farmers Union triangle and provides a strong building block for everything we do,” NFU President Tom Buis said. “The opportunity to build and share leadership skills inspires many of these exceptional young people to seek a position on the youth council.”

The NYAC represents Farmers Union’s next generation at the organization’s national convention. They also choose a theme and plan activities for the following year’s All-States Camp where they help lead discussions on a variety of topics.

The camp theme, Sign up! Sign In! Sign Out!, focused on providing a road map for transforming ambition into action in our communities and our world.

Throughout the week, campers developed new friendships while strengthening their cooperative and leadership skills through discussions and recreational activities.
Guest speakers included Buis, Jack van der Geest, author of “Was God on Vacation?: A WWII Autobiography”; Annetta Sutton, who spoke on the issue of diversity; William Nelson, CHS Foundation president; and Rulon Gardner, 2000 Olympic gold medalist in Greco Roman Wrestling.

“All-States Camp is a stepping stone for Farmers Union’s future leaders,” Buis said. “The organization is dedicated to assisting in their educational and leadership development and this is a tool to help them achieve their goals.”

Farmers Union members between 17 and 22 years of age who have excelled in Farmers Union state youth education programs and have met state and national eligibility requirements are eligible to attend NFU All-States Leadership Camp.

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