CHIPPEWA FALLS — Last week, youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 84th annual National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  

“This year’s All-States retreat was a testament to the principles of NFU” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Education is at the core of our work, so opportunities like this All-States retreat give us a chance to engage with the next generation of leaders and show just how powerful cooperatives are for their members and communities.”  

Participants in the retreat ranged from ages 18 to 22 and heard from speakers including motivational speaker and a former North Dakota Farmers Union camper Toby Kane, NFU Vice President of Advocacy Mike Stranz, as well as NFU President Rob Larew and Wisconsin Farmers Union President Rick Adamski.  

Attendees also elected six members to serve on the NFU National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) for the 2022-23 term: Levi Nightingale, Garrett Kruger, and Tyler Hanson of South Dakota, Emmalee Sathrum of Minnesota, Olivia Roth of Wisconsin, and Kathleen Marty of Colorado. NYAC members will build on their leadership skills at NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C., presenting at the NFU National Convention in 2023, as well as helping plan the 2023 All-States Retreat.