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2015 - 2016 Youth Advisory Council

By Lin Zwilling, AFR President's Assistant Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) announced its 2015-2016 Youth Advisory Council at the organization’s annual Senior Leadership Summit Reception July 30.

The Council consists of high school juniors and seniors representing AFR youth from across the state. Members of the 2015-2016 Council are Madi Baughman, Lone Grove; Grant Wilber, Cherokee; Ashley Tucker, Fairview; Macee Hammack, Leedy; and Guess Leonard, Claremore.

Council members participate in agriculture-based service projects throughout the year and assist in planning many AFR Youth Program activities. They also facilitate AFR events and act as mentors for younger Oklahoma youth.

The AFR Youth Advisory Council is selected at the organization’s annual Senior Leadership Summit. The selection process includes a written application, an interview conducted by a panel of AFR members and leadership professionals and a speech given in front of the candidates’ peers. In addition to interview and application scores, a vote based on personal relationships is cast by students attending Summit, allowing all attendees to be involved in the selection process.

AFR Senior Leadership Summit develops leadership skills in junior high and high school youth that will prepare them for future educational and professional experiences. Attendees learn such skills as setting and achieving short- and long-term goals and working in teams. They also learn the value of personal responsibility, respect for their peers and many other positive attributes.

AFR is proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma through these young people. Our leadership summit and the AFR Youth Council demonstrate that investment across Oklahoma. The AFR Leadership Summit is an excellent way for the youth of Oklahoma to learn skills that will benefit them in their futures. We are proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma through these young people. This is just one way of demonstrating that investment in communities across our state.

Terry Detrick, AFR President

The theme for last year’s Summit was “#LifeGoals.”

The theme reflected the four focus areas of Summit: leadership, community, service and success.

Leadership Summit is divided into two sessions. All Oklahoma students entering grades 7-9 are eligible to attend the AFR Teen Leadership Summit. AFR Senior Leadership Summit is offered to students entering grades 10-12.

AFR provides the youth of Oklahoma many opportunities to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Leadership Summit is just one of several exciting AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts a poster contest, an agricultural achievement contest, fall speech contests, statewide scholarships, livestock handling and skills contests, livestock judging and grading competitions and many other leadership opportunities.

For more information on the Summit or other AFR/OFU youth opportunities, Lin Zwilling at (405)218-5590 or lin.zwilling@afrmic.com.

American Farmers & Ranchers was established in 1905 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. AFR is actively supportive of Oklahoma’s agricultural industry and rural population, and provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state. AFR Insurance provides insurance products statewide and is recognized as a leading domestic insurance carrier in the state of Oklahoma.