McCormick, S.C. – Allison Jewell, Mackenna Piritz, Karleigh Porter and Madi Porter, of Laurens County, were among forty-four rising high school juniors and seniors from across South Carolina who recently participated in the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s 2024 Youth Leadership Conference at the Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe in McCormick.
Held from June 23 – 26, the conference enabled students to gain valuable leadership skills and a better understanding of South Carolina agriculture and legislative process. Students were addressed by industry professionals on leadership, team building and goal setting.
“The Youth Leadership Conference, sponsored by our SCFB Women’s Leadership program, allows students to explore opportunities within agriculture while developing their skills to be leaders in the industry,” said Elizabeth Wood, SCFB Director of Agricultural Literacy, Women and Youth Programs.
This year’s conference had attendees “going for gold” and they learned leadership lessons from Olympians. Participants gained an understanding of South Carolina’s legislative process, how a bill becomes law and how Farm Bureau policies are made. Students also campaigned in mock elections in which they worked with SCFB staff to represent their region of the state.
Brooke Alcorn of Lexington County was named the 2024 Youth Leadership Farm Bureau President. Students practiced welding, horseback riding, dissected fish and honed their equipment driving skills. The Aiken and Lexington County Young Farmers and Ranchers also hosted an Ag Olympics competition.
“Youth Leadership gives us the chance to cultivate the next generation of leaders in both South Carolina agriculture and South Carolina Farm Bureau,” said Harry Ott, SCFB President. “I believe the future of agriculture is bright in the hands of these young people.”
For more information about youth programs and scholarship opportunities, contact Elizabeth Wood at ewood@scfb.org.
South Carolina Farm Bureau is a grassroots, non-profit organization that celebrates and supports family farmers, locally grown food and our rural lands through legislative advocacy, education and community outreach. The organization, founded in 1944, serves nearly 95,000 member families in 47 chapters. For more information, please visit www.scfb.org.
