Julie Bartling
Executive Director:Ext. 115
Bonnie Geyer
Education Director:Ext. 125
P.O. Box 1388,
Huron, SD 57350
1-888-734-8136
Our Sponsors
Farmers Union Leadership Camp theme "Beyond Imagination"
PLACERVILLE, SD—Almost 100 teens and staff from across South Dakota gathered in the heart of the scenic Black Hills recently to celebrate the elements of rural life--member-owned cooperatives. The camp is sponsored by the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation.The cooperative theme at the 74th annual Farmers Union camp was emphasized through hands-on experience as the young people organized and operated a cooperative store, daily newspaper, credit union, coffee co-op and a mutual insurance company.
"Learning is by doing," says SDFU Foundation Education Director Bonnie Geyer. "Most of these young people’s parents are members of one or more cooperative enterprises. The best way for them to learn about these businesses is to become active participants and board members if only for a few days." Other highlights were Bret Merkle from Harrisburg who taught the campers about overcoming obstacles in life and to never give up. Sheltered Reality, a musical group who promotes self confidence and cooperation through music, inspired the participants on Wednesday evening.
Representatives from the South Dakota Highway Patrol talked to the group about the dangers of drinking and driving and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Additional camp programs included a presentation by state FFA officers on etiquette and citizenship, interactive cooperative activities and Hometown Pride and Patriotic days.
Six young people were elected to serve on the Farmers Union Junior Advisory Council (JAC) for 2008-2009. The JACs will assist in planning and conducting the 2009 edition of the family farm and ranch organization’s senior leadership camp. Elected to the council were: Blake Farber of Britton; Cole Hogg of Miranda; Kelsey Kummer of Parkston; Morgan Bushfield of Hitchcock; Christen Backes of Platte and Brigette Nemec of Holabird.
Also attending the camp were: Patrick Lowin of Blunt; Jason Schneider, Jacob Dathe, Mason and Blake Farber of Britton; Elizabeth Reddy of Calhan, CO; Nathan Nugteren of Canistota; Marissa Butler of Canton; Brennan Paye and Stuart Rounds of Cavour; Taylor and Tawny Barry of Carter; Katrina and Mitchell Mohrer of Dell Rapids; Shane Geyer of DeSmet; Myles Bialas, Erica Herrold, Alex and Alexis Horstman of Dimock; Taylor Melius of Faulkton; Jenna VanDyke of Gary; Houston Johnson of Geddes; Daniel Kapperman of Hartford; Sherise Volek of Highmore; Frank Doll, Aidan Beck all of Huron; Matt and Kersten Hanson of Irene; Caleb Soderman of Iroquois; Kaleb Carsten, Ashley Stewart, Angel Chmela and Kaye Leiferman of Kimball; Julia Birgen of Lafayette, CO; Lance Rademaker of Lake Preston and Hannah Lily of Lily.
Additonal campers included: Dominic Walter, Miranda; Brylee Sommer, Joseph Schieffer, Nick Heisinger, Tyler Reichert, Nick Kummer of Parkston; Chana Gottsleben of Philip; Trent and Tucker Greene of Plankinton; Ashley Meyer of Revillo; Jared Kloucek of Scotland; Talisa and Dylan Wager of Seneca; Lexy Nelson of Sisseton; Paul Schumacher, Justin Boomsma and Gina Dethlefsen of Stickney; Michael Gapp of Twin Brooks; Brandon Lentsch of Veblen; Alexandria Nelson, of Wakonda; Samantha Converse of Watertown; Maria and Zane Nightingale of White Lake; Lindsey McFarlane of Wilmot; Corrie Snedeker, Riley Jensen, Theo and Mickayla Twedt all of Woonsocket; Jake Amadon of Thermopolis, Wyoming; Michael Novak and Molly Davis of Yankton.
The camp was conducted by State Education Director Bonnie Geyer with assistance from 2007-2008 JACs Wade Barry of Carter; Jared Hettinger of Stickney; Courtney Beck of Huron; Anne Wudel of Parkston; Nikki Boomsma and Angie Koch of Stickney. Advisors to the Junior Advisory Council were Senior Council members, Melissa Bushfield of Hitchcock and Aaron Schneider of Britton. Also assisting were Farmers Union Summer Staff Interns Natalie Wipf of Yale and Tiffany Gascoigne of Huron. Other camp assistants included SDFU Cooperative Relations Director Norm Tofflemire of Huron; District I Education Director Denise Mushitz of Geddes; District V Education Director Viola Barry of Union Center; District VII Education Director Barb Vetter of Cresbard; Brian Schneider of Britton and Matt Boomsma of Hitchcock.
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