Elite Teens Train At Annual Leadership Conference Youth Leadership Conference attendees learned to work together to accomplish goals, including successfully scaling a 10-foot wall with help from others.
By Debra Davis n elite group of ninth and 10th A graders from throughout Alabama attended the Alfa Youth Leadership
Conference at the 4-H Center in Columbiana April 29-30. Students applied for the conference, which focused on training future leaders. It is sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, county Farmers Federations and Alabama Farm Credit (AFC). “This meeting helps prepare students to be future leaders, but in many cases they’re already leaders in their schools and communities,” said
Abby Cain of Chambers County, left, spots Lawrence County’s Olivia Newman as she walks the wire on an obstacle course. 12
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Wiley Bailey, who helped coordinate the conference for the Federation. “It’s important to inspire young leaders and get them involved as advocates for agriculture and to encourage them to serve their communities.” Attendees hailed from 30 counties and worked to identify personal strengths, develop negotiation skills and discover a passion for service. The agenda included team-building activities at the 4-H Center’s challenge course and teen safety workshops. AFC was a new supporter of the program and sponsored motivational speaker and leadership trainer Rhett Laubach, who challenged students to be a positive influence on their peers. “Alabama Farm Credit understands the importance of creating advocates for agriculture through our next generation,” said Samantha Southerland, AFC’s public relations and marketing manager. “That is why alfafarmers.org
