Five Fayette High School students were among those from 58 counties to attend the Missouri Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day in Jefferson City on April 7 to learn about our political system. With the exception of 2020, the event has been held for 28 years.

Governor Mike Parson commended the students, many wearing FFA jackets, for making the decision to participate. During the visit to the state capitol, some groups were invited into the side galleries by their legislators to witness the proceedings. Other students visited with them in the hallways outside the chambers.

The students were welcomed back to the MOFB Center with lunch and comments from President Garrett Hawkins, a farmer from Appleton City, and MOFB’s two student ambassadors, Jacob Hall and Jessica Janorschke. Missouri Director of Agriculture also visited with the group, advising them that one doesn’t have to have a career in agriculture to make a difference in agriculture. She cited her own daughter, who left the farm to become a nurse.

Keynote speaker Rachel Kagay of Maysville talked to the students about overcoming their fears of failing. In asking, “what if I never find my purpose?” Kagay suggested finding your talents and passion for them. “There is where your potential lies,” she said. “Then ask for help. None of us can get where we are going on our own. We need each other’s support along the journey.”

Youth Leadership Day is sponsored by the MOFB Promotion and Education Program. Costs for the event are underwritten by county Farm Bureaus and the MOFB Foundation for Agriculture. Among the nearly 400 students attending were those from Howard County. 

Students from Fayette, Glasgow and New Franklin High Schools attended Youth Leadership Day April 7th in Jefferson City. Those who attended with Fayette agriculture teacher Robyn Eschenbrenner were Laci Fuhlage, Keyanna Colvin, Hermione Pierce, Brenna Fischer, and Tyler Bartholomew.