Jerrel attends National Farmers Union camp

Ty Jerrel of Sheyenne, a senior at New Rockford-Sheyenne, recently represented the North Dakota Farmers Union at the All-States Camp in Erskine, Minn. on June 26-30.

He was joined by Rebecca Willer of Jamestown and Ozzie Skogen of Lakota, who also helped represent the N.D. Farmers Union at the camp in Minnesota. Willer and Skogen were also named to the National Youth Advisory Council for the coming year.

The N.D. Farmers Union is a prominent organization in the state, which works to support agriculture by pushing for legislation and by providing opportunities for local youth to become leaders within the agriculture industry.

To that end, several youth camps are hosted by the N.D. Farmers Union for more than 1,200 youth members every year.

"We design camps to encourage our youth to emerge as a new generation of leaders," states the N.D. Farmers Union on their website. "Program goals are to develop leadership and citizenship skills, while learning about cooperatives, cooperative principles and issues of importance to rural America."

And then there's the national camp held every year by the National Farmers Union (NFU), which is attended by NFU members aged 18-20 who've distinguished themselves as leaders.

"Youth come from across the United States to explore their personal leadership skills, identify issues important to their generation, and discuss their role in affecting positive change throughout rural America, both individually and through involvement in Farmers Union," states the NFU website.

This year's All-States Camp was held in Erskine, Minn., and Jerrel said it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

"There were only people from five states that went so we ended up doing lots of activities, and each day was like a different state's activities," said Jerrel about his time at the camp. "We also went to a zip line park for a day which took all day but was a lot of fun."

For Jerrel, his experience at the All-States Camp was just the latest of many positive experiences he's had with the N.D. Farmers Union, an organization he recommends to other youth.

"I enjoy everything about being a N.D. Farmers Union member. I think I've learned a lot from the time that I've spent with the Farmers Union community and I would recommend all kids to go because it is a very great community to be a part of," said Jerrel.