Agricultural News
AFR/OFU Leadership Summit Focuses on Life Goals
Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:29:59 CDT
American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) hosted its 2015 Leadership Summit July 26 August 1. More than 160 students participated in leadership development activities that will benefit them far into the future.
This year marks the second year for the summit to be held at Big Cedars Camp near Wanette, Okla. The central location has made the AFR/OFU Leadership Summit equally accessible to both sides of Oklahoma.
"We are excited to continue the tradition of the AFR/OFU Leadership Summit and to be more accessible to students from all corners of the state," said AFR/OFU Youth & Education Coordinator Blaire Boyer. "This year, our attendance continued to increase, making this one of the largest Summits ever."
The annual retreat 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 service leadership, community development and many other positive attributes.
"The AFR/OFU Leadership Summit is an excellent opportunity for youth to learn valuable leadership and life skills which will benefit them for their future goals," said AFR/OFU President Terry Detrick. "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."
The theme for this year's Summit was "#LifeGoals." The theme reflected the four focus areas of Summit: leadership, community, service and success.
Another exciting growth for Leadership Summit was the continued tradition of an annual service project that was completed by Summit attendees. Students teamed up with Kids Against Hunger of Northwest Oklahoma, a humanitarian food-aid organization with a mission to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the U.S. and to feed starving children throughout the world.
This year's Summit project was to prepare and package "fortified rice-soy protein meal packages" for hungry children. Teen Session attendees packaged more than 36,000 meals during their service project and Senior Session packaged more than 64,000 meals in under two hours. Between the two sessions, Summit attendees packaged more than 100,000 meals for children in Oklahoma, the United States and the world.
The packaged meals consist of long-grain rice, crushed soy, blended dehydrated vegetables and vitamin and mineral powder, and contains all nine essential amino acids. Each bag has a shelf life of at least three years and, when boiled, can feed six children. The average package of food from the Leadership Summit project will be eaten in less than three months.
Leadership Summit is divided into two sessions. All Oklahoma students entering grades 7-9 are eligible to attend the AFR/OFU Teen Leadership Summit. AFR/OFU Senior Leadership Summit is offered to students entering grades 10-12.
AFR/OFU provides the youth of Oklahoma many opportunities to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Leadership Summit is just one of several exciting AFR/OFU 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, contact AFR/OFU Youth & Education Coordinator Blaire Boyer at (405)218-5561 or blaire.boyer@afrmic.com.
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