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A sold-out new youth conference designed for junior high students exemplified another positive program year for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s youngest participants.

Seventy teens attended OFBF’s first-ever Jr. High Quest in June. The event was created for seventh- and eighth-grade students who traditionally have not been eligible for summer youth conferences because of age qualifications.

Interest was so great, that Darrell Rubel, OFBF director of youth and safety programs, had a waiting list of more than 25 junior high students.

Honing skills
Enthusiasm was high at this summer’s OFBF State Youth Leadership Conference. This year’s theme, "Getting Fit for Leadership," focused on leadership development, team building and decision- making training – all packaged in high-energy, hands-on workshops.

Rubel explained: "These youth are learning some valuable skills in such a fun way, they may not even realize the magnitude of the skills they are learning until later in the day or after the conference."

Earning an education
Two $500 scholarships from the Darwin Bryan Scholarship fund were awarded to Ryan Stobbs of Westerville and Lindsey Ulrey of Marengo.

Stobbs, son of Richard and JoAnn Stobbs of Franklin County, is a freshman at University of Cincinnati majoring in mechanical engineering.

Ulrey, daughter of Larry and Sheri Ulrey of Morrow County, is a sophomore at Ohio State University in Columbus where she majors in animal science.

The scholarship honors Darwin Bryan, long-time youth program coordinator for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Paying back
Youth councils do more than hold social events and attend conferences. They also learn more about their communities and learn about the importance of taking care of their neighbors.

Cheri Staley, along with her husband John, is an adviser for the Summit Caliente Amigos Youth Council (previously known as the Summit Super Summiteers). She said the children involved in youth councils learn they "can do anything if you’re doing it with your friends."

The council has a core group of members who have been together for more than a decade, Staley said. "We have an extremely high amount of parental involvement, and that’s been nothing but good for the kids involved in the council."

This year, the group volunteered for a Summit County organization called Hammer and Nails, which is similar to Habitat for Humanity. The group also completes repairs on existing homes for low-income families, Staley said.

This summer, the Amigos cleaned and re-painted the interior of a home for an elderly man, Staley said. "The kids had fun. They found out that it doesn’t matter what you’re doing or how hard the work is, it can be fun when you’re doing it with your friends."

She added that volunteer experiences help expand youths’ view of the world. "They really get a sense of accomplishment and learn that there’s more in the world than just them."