2008 Youth Leadership Day

March 27 found 354 high school students and their chaperons from 59 counties in attendance at the 14th annual Missouri Farm Bureau (MFB) Youth Leadership Day. After a short orientation, students loaded buses and headed for the State Capitol to observe action in the House and Senate chambers and visit with legislators. Although many attending had visited the Capitol in the past, few have been there during the Legislative Session. The one-day seminar is sponsored by Missouri Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Programs.

After lunch at the Missouri Farm Bureau Center, the group heard from Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau president, and David Frazier, a former Texas state FFA officer pursuing a doctorate in agricultural education from the University of Missouri. Frazier talked to students about honing their leadership skills, using humor and his own life experiences to encourage students to push the fear of failure aside and maximize their talents.

More than 350 high school students attended the one-day seminar.

After returning to the MFB Center, featured speaker David Frazier used his life experiences and several props to help students understand how to control the fears that keep them from moving forward in life.

Students gain an understanding of the importance of becoming informed and involved citizens. Additionally they focus upon the agricultural and rural issues that impact our state.

The day's activities include briefings, a visit to the Capitol to meet with Legislators and observe events at the Capitol. Students are sponsored by their County Farm Bureau to attend. Look for information next year for the 2009 Youth Leadership Day. For more information on the event contact your county Farm Bureau office.

Click here to return to the P&E Index.