Members of the 14th KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA) class will graduate Friday at the close of the convention. Merck Animal Health is the exclusive sponsor of the program, which consists of 20 young producers gathering for four sessions throughout the year. This class brings the total number of YSA graduates to 280.
The KLA Convention is the final session of the year and provides these young producers an opportunity to interact with members from across the state. Over the next three days, YSA members will participate in an in-depth spokesperson training session led by NCBA Senior Director of Organizational Communications Kate Maher, attend the KLA Chairmen's Circle meeting and take part in the policy process during committee, council and general membership meetings.
During the first YSA session, which was held in Topeka in February, attendees were exposed to advocacy training, the legislative process and services provided by KLA. The second installment took the group to Kansas City in May, where they learned about the agribusiness and retail beef industries. YSA members traveled through central and western Kansas in September touring beef and dairy operations.
Members of the 2019 YSA class are Bryce Barnett, Muscotah, Hannah Brass, Medicine Lodge; Carl Clawson, Ulysses; Ashley Fitzsimmons, Pratt; Heather Gibson, Satanta; Grace Hammer, Sharon Springs; Jamie Holeman, Bronson; Taylor Hughes, Pratt; Clayton Jarnagin, Protection; Reed Koop, Abilene; Clinton Laflin, Russell; Socorro Martinez, Liberal; Garrett McKinney, Walton; Michaela Peterson, Dodge City; Cami Roth, Sterling; Dalton Rutledge, Plains; Jessalyn Strahm, Sabetha; Thomas Thayer, LaCygne; Patrick Turner, Ingalls; and Evan Woodbury, Quenemo.
KLA is accepting applications for the 2020 YSA class. For more information, contact your county chair or Letty Meek at [email protected]. The deadline is December 16.