ALL-STATES LEADERSHIP CAMP

Lyle and Donna Hetterly were caretakers and cooks at National Farmers Union’s (NFU) education site in Bailey, Colorado for 25 years.  They attended the NFU All-States Leadership Camp 75^th Anniversary Celebration in Bailey on Saturday, July 16, 2011.  Many former campers and staff members were happy to see the Hetterlys return.

Lyle and Donna had raised hogs in South Dakota, but when hog prices dropped they began exploring other career options.  They saw the caretaker position posted in the Farmers Union paper and, with a small catering business in South Dakota as a resume-booster, they decided to apply.  They began working in Bailey on May 1, 1982.  Lyle and Donna’s catering skills came in handy while working with the variety of groups that utilized the grounds, from camps and weddings to company picnics and family reunions.  Donna recalled a particular company picnic that involved food preparation for 3,200 people, all of which was done in the kitchen of the NFU education center.

After 25 years of service, Donna said, “We had a lot of good memories here.”  Some of her favorite All-States memories centered on food.  One common theme night involved dinner without plates or utensils.  She said they would make turkey legs, potatoes, and ears of corn because they were fairly easy to eat without silverware.  “We’d put paper out on the table and just dump the pans” of food and the kids loved it.  Lyle also remembered a particular dinner they created to correspond with a speaker’s presentation.  The guest was from Africa, and to show campers what life was like for people in that part of Africa, some youth only got rice for dinner while a few got rice and chicken broth.  The “richest” campers ate prime rib.  Lyle said, “it didn’t take them long to start complaining,” but added that everyone got prime rib for dinner at the end of the activity.

Over 25 years, Donna and Lyle developed relationships with many campers.  Many former campers returned to visit them during their years in Bailey.  Donna said, “They always knew they were welcome back.”  All-States provided the Hetterlys with years of rich memories.  Donna commented, “We always tried to do really special activities for All-States.  That camp was the reason this place was built.”

Lyle noted that people who were unfamiliar with Farmers Union often asked him what All-States was.  His response?  “The campers at All-States are the cream of the crop,” he said.

When Ruth Kobell’s husband returned from a Farmers Union meeting he had attended with his uncle in Harlem, Mont., he was inspired.  The two men had heard then-president of North Dakota Farmers Union, Charlie Talbott, speak.  Ruth recalled that her husband was “so impressed that he never gave up the idea of farming or working with Farmers Union.”  Farmers Union would soon become something of a way of life for them.  Her husband’s attendance at just one meeting changed the course of Ruth’s life in ways she couldn’t even begin to imagine at the time.

Ruth, 92, attended the All-States Leadership Camp 75th Anniversary Celebration in Bailey, Colorado on Saturday, July 16, 2011.  She reminisced about a lifetime of involvement in Farmers Union, especially her role in the youth program.

Shortly after she and her husband joined Farmers Union, Ruth began teaching a local Farmers Union class.  At first, “the kids knew more than I did,” she laughed.  Her continued involvement, however, led to Ruth working at her first All-States Leadership Camp in 1941.  It was held in Sturgis, SD that year, lasted 5-6 days and focused on much of the same curriculum that Farmers Union continues to teach today.  All-States has been held in several different locations and Ruth has worked at many ofthem.  After World War II, she and some of the Montana youth drove to southern Minnesota for camp.  She said they felt lucky to have a new car soon after the war but that the tires were so bad they would get two or three flat tires each day during their trip. Ruth remembered that the boys would all pile out of the car to get the tire patched so they could be on their way.

Camp was held in Colorado at the Red Rocks location for a few years.  Ruth recalled that a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) group built the Red Rocks amphitheatre in the late1930s.  The city of Denver acquired Red Rocks, along with an empty army camp located there.  Jim Patton, National Farmers Union (NFU) president, made an agreement with the mayor of Denver that if the city allowed All-States to be held at Red Rocks and provided maintenance for the facility, NFU would supply what it needed to hold a camp.  Ruth said her husband visited a huge army surplus store that had beds and other supplies in order to prepare for camp.  Finally, in 1960, All-States had a place to call their own in Bailey, Colorado, where camps have been held for decades.

While today’s campers have had different experiences and more technological advancements in their lives, Ruth feels that they essentially remain the same as those youth with whom she used to work.  She said, “It’s really exciting to see All-States continuing.”  When Ruth first heard about the 75th Anniversary Celebration, she began making a list of those people she knew that might also attend.  Since Ruth is 92 years old, All-States acquaintances are hard to come by, but she is still able to keep in touch with a few friends from her camp years.  She was hoping to see two or three former coworkers while at the reunion.

Ruth spent several years working as the office manager for NFU and, thanks to her thorough knowledge of the organization’s policy, became NFU’s first female lobbyist in 1975.  Even though she lived in Washington, DC, she maintained her Montana Farmers Union membership from day one and All-States Camp was never far from mind.  Much of her time at All-States occurred prior to the completion of the Bailey site, but Ruth said, “This was [former NFU president] Jim Patton’s dream.  He wanted a place in the mountains for our people.”  Ruth first visited the Bailey camp in 1967 or 1968 and remembers being impressed by the electric refrigerator and the size of the stoves in the kitchen.  Because money for the land and NFU education center was raised by personal contributions donated at local meetings, Ruth feels it is not a site to be taken lightly.  “There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in this place,” she said.

Saturday marked the reunion and celebration of National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 75^th annual All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo. NFU President Roger Johnson welcomed guests to camp. He said the facility exemplifies Farmers Union’s commitment to education. “It’s the pillar of the education program,” he told guests. NFU and the NFU Foundation make All-States possible and Johnson, a former All-States Camp participant and member of the National Youth Advisory Council, said that many long-lasting relationships are formed there.  He told the 2011 All-States Camp alumni, “We really need your involvement as young folks to help continue the organization’s tradition and to build the future of Farmers Union.”

Bill Stevenson, NFU Foundation Chair, said that the foundation’s goal is to keep the program going in an inspirational way. He said that education “is a key part of the NFU triangle,” which is why the foundation raises money to support the education program. For more information about the NFU Foundation or to donate, log on to http://www.nfu.org/education/nfu-foundation.

NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad presented an education update. She touched briefly on NFU’s history, saying, “what a commitment this organization has had” to education. She spoke about recent developments in the education program, including new experiences offered for members of the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), engaging more collegiate Farmers Union chapters, and expanding education efforts into new states. Svarstad also acknowledged Farmers Union programs that have been reestablished as of late, such as the Farmer-to-Farmer program and the Beginning Farmers Institute.

Visitors viewed a video about the history of All-States narrated by Rocky Mountain Farmers Union’s John Stencel. The first All-States Leadership Camp was held in 1936 and has changed as the years progressed. When the Bailey, Colo., facility opened in 1960, more than 200 youth turned out for the 10-day camp. He invited campers back to Bailey for the 100th reunion celebration. NFU Honorary Historian Tom Giessel said, “This place is our heart and soul.”

A panel of former All-State campers and staff that attended between 1941 and 2010 led into an open mic session. Many former campers came forward to share their favorite All-States memories and their appreciation for the education program. A variety of afternoon and evening activities kept guests busy, and a collection of photographs and memory books from decades of camp led to a good deal of reflection and conversation. Traditional singing of Farmers Union songs and folk dancing added to the festivities.

Andrew Jacob, executive vice president of CoBank, said that despite today’s economic conditions, the outlook for small farming is good. He added, “there is a real reason for optimism” for those that have chosen a future in agriculture. He addressed younger campers about the importance of financial responsibility, saying, “Just having a dream is not enough. You need to have a plan.” He challenged the audience to think about their career opportunities going forward, particularly in regard to agriculture.

Friday was the final full day of 75th National Farmers Union’s (NFU) All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo. NFU Government Relations Representative Brittany Jablonsky and NFU Climate and Energy Coordinator Jan Ahlen spoke with campers in the morning. Jablonsky grew up in Farmers Union and said, “All-States was really where I became more interested in the policy side of Farmers Union.” Ahlen said Farmers Union opened his eyes to the importance of rural communities. They both stressed the value of Farmers Union’s grassroots policy. Jabslonsky told the youth, “now it’s your turn to give back,” and get involved in the process. Ahlen said that having thousands of members across the nation who support policies – because members themselves are the authors – gives him more power when he is meeting with lawmakers. The young adults had the opportunity to express issues that were important to them and to learn more about the current status of the upcoming farm bill.

Campers participated in a friendship service and reminisced about their most poignant memories from the week. The camp co-op store was closed and campers voted to donate the profits to NFU’s Feeding America campaign. All-States Camp Director Maria Miller addressed the group at the evening’s banquet dinner. She told the youth she was proud of how they worked cooperatively together over the course of the week. She reminded them, “if you have something worth saying, people will listen to you.” Miller asked them to cherish their camp memories and to make a difference in their communities as they move forward as adults. Campers were encouraged to keep active in their Farmers Union organization and reminded them that as All-States alumni, NFU wants to keep in touch.

All-States campers elected six of their peers to the 2012 National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), and the results were revealed at Friday’s NYAC ceremony. New council members include Emily Albrecht and Rochelle Bitz, N.D., Ramón Portuese and Joe Rosenbrock, Colo., Jacob Hanson-Flores, Minn., and Mason Farber, S.D.

Over the course of the day it was evident that the participants had truly become an All-States family, created relationships and made lifelong friends, and developed as leaders throughout the week.

William Nelson addresses All-States Leadership campers

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson addressed campers on July 14 at the 2011 All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo. As a former All-State Leadership Camp participant himself, he shared much of the organization’s rich history. “The founders of this organization understood some very important concepts when they developed the Farmers Union triangle,” said Johnson. He said that the triangle of education, legislation, and cooperation is the foundation of everything we do, stand for, and believe. Johnson stressed the importance of the Farmers Union education program. While All-States is the end of the campers’ journeys in the youth program, he told them, “What happens as a result of that is not the end of the line. This is the beginning of the rest of your life.”

The experiences youth have had as part of the Farmers Union Youth program make them tomorrow’s leaders. Johnson said, “Because of what you have done in this organization, you likely are going to be looked to provide some leadership.” He closed by challenging campers to stay involved in the organization.

William Nelson, president of the CHS Foundation, spoke with campers in correlation with the national curriculum, “Know Yourself, Know Your Options.” He said, “knowing yourself is knowing your purpose,” but that it’s alright if youth don’t know what their mission is quite yet. He encouraged campers to ask themselves what they really want to do and then put all they have into achieving it. Nelson said, “There are a lot of different ways you’re going to learn.” Each camper, he said, has something special to offer as a leader.

Harley Danielson helped campers learn more about their individual behavioral styles. “There isn’t such a thing as a right behavioral style or wrong behavioral style,” he said. When working with others, it’s helpful to understand, respect, and appreciate individual differences. Each camper completed a personal profile system to gain insight into who they are.

Gary Matteson from the Farm Credit Council in Washington, D.C., spoke about goal-setting. He said that not setting goals allows circumstance to choose what a person does. As leaders, campers will be helping others set their own goals. Gary said, “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the world to be a leader,” you just have to be smart enough to ask the questions no one else has asked.

On Wednesday, campers experienced the natural beauty Colorado has to offer. They took a cog railway to the summit of Pike’s Peak and explored the breathtaking view that stretched out around them. Thanks to clear skies, they were able to see five states: Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, and New Mexico. They learned about the history of the mountain and experienced a temperature change from about 80 degrees at the base to 40 degrees at the top. They also learned to see beyond their own horizons.

From Pike’s Peak, campers traveled to the nearby Garden of the Gods. After hearing about the processes of nature that made the incredible rock formations stand so tall, they entered the park. The bright red rocks towered above them, and there were several places they could walk on trails and even on a few of the rocks. The youth ended the day at Heritage Square Music Hall by enjoying a dinner theatre. Audience involvement led to actors interacting with several campers for everyone’s enjoyment and laughter.

NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad Speaks to All-State Campers

The second full day at National Farmers Union’s (NFU) All-State Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo., was an inspirational and thought-provoking one for campers.  Olympian Rulon Gardner returned to the NFU Education Center to share his journey from the farm to the Olympics and beyond.  He grew up the youngest of nine siblings on a dairy farm in Wyoming.  As the youngest, he often got the jobs no one else wanted.  The variety of tasks he performed on the family farm strengthened his character and were how he learned hard work, which he credited with helping him get where he is today.  Rulon spoke about the roles determination and dedication played throughout his life.  He had a learning disability and struggled through school.  Even though he graduated high school with the reading level of a fifth grader, he wasn’t afraid to ask for help in order to achieve his goal of becoming a physical education teacher.  After graduating from college, he put much of his time into wrestling and successfully became part of America’s Olympic team in 2000.   It was his first time at the Olympics but he won match after match, eventually making it to the gold medal round.  His opponent, Russia’s Alexander Karelin, was one of the most feared athletes of the time and hadn’t been defeated in thirteen years, making Rulon the clear underdog.  He attributed the heart, devotion, and commitment he had put into his training as the reason he remained focused and emerge victorious.  He reminded campers to never lose focus and that the three questions they should ask themselves are:

*    Did I do my absolute best?
*    Did I do everything in my potential?
*    Is there anything else I can do?

Rulon also talked about his experiences as a participant on NBC’s television show “The Biggest Loser.”  He described the poor habits that led to his weight gain by saying, “sometimes we’re our own worst enemies.”  By learning what to eat and when to eat it, the nutrition education on the show, “taught me a balance.”  His conscious choice to improve his eating habits and overall health resonated with the 2011 Farmers Union camp curriculum, “Growing Good Taste.”

Campers spent time with their leadership groups “digging deep” yesterday.  They grew together by discussing their beliefs and what makes each young adult at All-States unique.

Josh Blue, a U.S. Paralympic soccer player and winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” visited yesterday afternoon.  He talked about life with cerebral palsy and what it takes to be a leader.  Josh’s hope is that his comedy will help others, have a different perspective of disability and the disabled community. He said, “I want you to know that there can be all kinds of leaders.”  According to Josh, perception and true understanding of situations can make all the difference.

“The more you experience in life and the more you put yourself into [the] experience, the better leaders you’ll become because you’ve seen so many other points of view,” said Blue

He inspired the youth with his quick wit and willingness to speak bluntly about the realities of his life. With each discussion, speaker, and activity, campers continue to build stronger connections and become part of the greater All-States family.

Past president of RMFU, John Stencel, told the group of his experience at the first All-States Camp held at the then-brand new NFU Education Center in Bailey, Colo.  Although prior camps were held at other locations, they finally had a permanent home in the inspirational foothills with a mountain stream.  The year was 1960.  The A-frame itself is representative of the Farmers Union triangle-its base of education, and its two sides of legislation and cooperation.   John was elected to the National Youth Advisory Committee (NYAC) that year and was present at the farm organization’s center dedication ceremony immediately following camp.   He told the group, “This center is yours.  It belongs to campers like you.

This year, NFU will celebrate 75 years of continuous All-States Leadership Camp.   A celebration and reunion will be held on Saturday, July 16.  To learn more, go to http://nfu.org/images/stories/75thAnnivAllStates.pdf.

The 75th National Farmers Union (NFU) 2011 All-States Leadership Camp in Colorado has begun! Sunday was a day of getting acquainted and learning about the cooperative spirit.

Yesterday, NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad spoke to the campers about her experiences with the Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange Program NFU participates in. She visited Senegal, a country in northwest Africa, in February to work with locals and discuss how farming organizations in the country can be more effective. She said, “Fifty-eight percent of Senegal’s population is rural,” and that 77.5 percent of the work force is involved in agriculture. Most farmers are subsistence farmers or raise cash crops. Svarstad showed campers a photo of a peanut press commonly used in Senegal and shared the question that was asked of her-what advice could she offer to help them be more productive? Sandy soil can make farming in Senegal difficult, but the poor infrastructure makes repairs for farmers and fishermen nearly impossible. She said, “Hunger is a really serious issue in these fishing communities,” because their access to fish vanishes if a boat breaks down. Infrastructure, government policy, and rural leadership development are the three main things agriculture in Senegal needs. For more information on being involved in the Farmer-to-Farmer program, log on to http://www.nfu.org/images/stories/education/Materials/farmer-to-farmer-flyer_nfu.pdf

Svarstad also about the Feeding America Campaign that NFU is unveiling. Nearly 37 million Americans go hungry every day, according to Svarstad. Feeding America is the largest supplier to food banks across the country. She encouraged campers to get involved in the campaign, which will continue until through the NFU convention in 2012. She said, “For every dollar donated, you can create seven meals.” Howard Buffet has agreed to match funds raised, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, said Svarstad. Inspired by her presentation, campers spent time brainstorming ways they could get involved and help those in need.

During time spent with leadership groups on today, campers discussed identity and how they viewed themselves.  This year’s camp, theme “Know Yourself, Know Your Options,” encourages the leaders to explore their inner potential.

In the same sense, the young adults explored nutritional options, knowing more about where their food comes from as taught in the NFU 2011 curriculum “Growing Good Taste.”

Hank Butler, regional vice-president of Farmers Union Insurance also spoke to the camp and described the role of insurance by saying that when something goes wrong, “we make people whole again.” He touched on many types of insurance, but focused mainly on auto insurance, particularly as it applies to young drivers. He said that when someone is interested in getting a policy, “the first thing we look at is how long you’ve been driving.” While the type of car and the way a person drives it impact the price of his or her premium, he told campers that what people do away from their car matters as well, saying, “if you get a B average in school, you will save about 20 percent on your insurance.”

Campers ages 17 – 20 from various states around the US gathered together in union at the NFU Education Center . . . and became All-States.

Farmers Union’s history is rich with colorful characters, amazing achievements, and both humorous and serious stories of endurance and survival.

Virtually all Farmers Union organizational, business, legislative and social activities were prefaced and referenced with education.  It is no accident that “Education” takes a prominent place not only in our official name, but is the base of our long-time logo, the FU Triangle.  Our founders were well aware our legislative and cooperative efforts would fail without investment in proper education.
The 1930’s saw an explosion in organized education programs, which started on the state level and grew into a national effort. The range of activities grew as well, such activities as speech contest, plays, bands, glee clubs, baseball teams, drill teams, picnics, jack rabbit hunts, oyster feeds and a host of other activities.  Education has always served as the unifier of Farmers Union.

After four years of independent research, I finally found the time to travel to Norlin Library in Boulder, Colo. to visit the NFU archives.  It was a pilgrimage of sorts, a journey I have long awaited.  I was not disappointed.

I saw the birth, the pains and joys the journey of the organization from its earliest days.  There were the failures and triumphs and generosity.  There were the high points and low points, the builders and the “kickers,” the movers and the shakers, the leaders and the statesmen.  I saw NFU’s priorities of education, cooperation and legislation take shape.  There were men, women and children, and families. There were tears and laughter and many great speeches.

This year, NFU will celebrate its 75th All-States Leadership Camp.  An anniversary party and reunion will be held on Saturday, July 16. All are welcome. Bring your family!   Hear speakers like Ruth Kobell who attended the first All-States Camp in the 1930s and many years after as a staff member. Walk through the NFU education center A-frame nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  Click here to register.

National Farmers Union’s All-States Leadership Camp will be held July 10 – 15, 2011. Campers will stay an additional day for the All-States 75th Camp Anniversary Celebration and Reunion, to be held July 16. Campers will return home on Sunday, July 17.

This year’s theme is ”Know Yourself, Know Your Options”

Camp theme nights will be:

MONDAY—”Wild, Wild West” Night
 
TUESDAY— “Board Game” Night
 
THURSDAY—”Hawaiian-style Luau” Night   (Talent Show is also this night)

Start planning how you’ll dress-up on theme night!

Click here to view, download and order prints of pictures taken at the 2010 NFU All-States Leadership camp!