North Dakota Farmers Union bestowed its highest youth achievement honor – the Torchbearer Award – on four area youth at the organization’s 95th annual state convention, held Dec. 10-11 in Bismarck.
Recipients were Madison Grieve and Rebecca Willer, both of Jamestown, Mara Bjornson of Spiritwood and Emily Ames of Wimbledon.
The award recognizes students for their involvement in Farmers Union’s youth education program and requires five years of senior class work (grades 7-12) to enhance communication, leadership and teamwork skills, along with business knowledge of cooperatives.
Twenty young people earned the award. As Torchbearers, youth pledge with a courageous heart to practice tolerance and brotherhood for all, and to help “light the way to a peaceful world.”
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Grieve was also one of three Torchbearers awarded a $1,000 Bergman Scholarship to help offset college education costs. A panel of judges evaluated applicant responses to questions related to Farmers Union, rural issues and personal leadership. The scholarship was established by Alan Bergman of Jud, past president of NDFU.
Farmers Union operates one of the largest grassroots youth programs in the nation. More than 1,200 students, both rural and urban, annually participate in NDFU summer camps and educational classes. For more information, go to ndfu.org .
