State resource leaders seek youth input on energy and agriculture

Three of the North Dakota’s largest organizations, the Lignite Energy Council, the North Dakota Farm Bureau and the North Dakota Petroleum Council, are recruiting students to serve on a youth advisory council. This youth advisory council is part of the NextGen ND project and will allow youth to provide voice, insight and vision to North Dakota's energy and agricultural decision makers.

Representatives from each of the state’s three main industries (agriculture, oil and coal) will select five students who they feel will provide the best input into the challenges facing their industries. Selected students will participate in the program from September through April. Students will be asked to participate in at least three different meetings, either in person or by online conferencing. During these meetings, students will be briefed on current information, allowed to ask questions and then give feedback.

Applications are due June 30. Interested North Dakota students in grades 6-11 are encouraged to apply at http://www.NextGenND.com. Participants will be selected in July, based on commitment, leadership and communication skills. A survey will be sent to the participants in August to determine their interests, methods of meeting online or in person, and to set up tours of farms, mines, power plants and refineries.

The North Dakota Farm Bureau advocates for farmers and ranchers. The Petroleum Council provides governmental affairs support for the nearly 500 companies engaged in the oil and gas industry in North Dakota. The primary goal of the Lignite Energy Council is to maintain viable lignite coal industry and enhance development of the region’s lignite coal resources for use in generating electricity, synthetic natural gas and valuable by-products.

For more information, contact Steve Van Dyke at (701) 355-2193 or (701) 426-8662.