Two CCS students attend 50th ag youth event in Lincoln

The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, in coordination with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, marked their 50th anniversary at an event held July 12-16 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s east campus.
The opportunity is open to Nebraska juniors and seniors to learn about the ag industry and the many careers available.
Morayah Cupp, CCS graduate, and Kendall Prior, senior this fall, submitted applications which included written content of their interests in the ag field.
They were then notified they had been selected as delegates to attend this year’s event.         Cupp and Prior spent the week attending workshops and sitting in on panels  featuring speakers who were leaders in different areas of the ag industry, Cupp said.
“NAYI is a great opportunity for Nebraska juniors and seniors to learn about the agricultural industry and the many careers available in ag,” said NDA Communications Director and NAYC advisor Christin Kamm.
Over 200 delegates from around the state attended the event featuring speakers, workshops, agricultural education, networking with peers and industry leaders, professional development opportunities and leadership experience, Kamm said.
The students spent each day listening to commodity experts on everything from crops to livestock, said Cupp.
“With 50 years of history, we have parents who attended NAYI years ago, sharing NAYI experiences with their own high school juniors and seniors,” Kamm said.
Such is the case with Prior who’s sister previously attended NAYI, as did several members of her mother’s side of the family.
“Mom’s side of the family is big into agriculture, and I have been, also, my whole life,” Prior said.
She added, “It felt good to be a part of something my family has been a part of.”
Prior said she was super-excited to attend and felt accepted as part of the ag group.
Both Prior and Cupp participated in a career tour of Ag Communications.
“I am interested in staying in an ag community, so I was intrigued to see what it was like working in different ag jobs and what those jobs involved in the different Nebraska ag industries,” Prior said.
Prior is leaning toward a career in communication with an emphasis on agriculture.
This year was Cupp’s second time attending NAYI, only last year it was remote attendance due to COVID.
“It was really exciting returning as a delegate a second time, only this time, it was great to be ‘live’,” Cupp said.
“We spent 12-15 hours a day attending different workshops, events and listening to speakers,” she added.
Cupp said there were internship opportunities for delegates to make connections while there.
“I was offered a remote internship by leadership in the ag industry the very day of the conference. I will be able to participate while I attend college,” said Cupp.
One of the most important things delegates attended was the state dinner, Cupp said.
The formal dinner was held at the Nebraska Champions Club in Lincoln.
Attending the dinner were all delegates, delegate alumni, UNL ag professors and sponsors.
Governor Pete Ricketts was guest speaker for the dinner, Cupp said.
“After the state dinner, attendees met on UNL’s Memorial Field for photos,” she said.
There are 21 college students who serve on the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council and are chosen by NDA to share their passion and knowledge about agriculture with young people across Nebraska.
These NAYC members provide valuable insight and advice about agriculture, college coursework and career building.