Slade Wiley (left) conducts a mock interview with class member Ryan Koons of Buffalo, OK.
The 2024 KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA), exclusively sponsored by Merck Animal Health, met in Topeka this week for the first of four seminars to be held over the course of the year. The class is made up of 20 young producers and industry professionals from across the state who will have the opportunity to get an in-depth look at KLA and the livestock industry throughout the program.
During this session, attendees learned about the array of member services provided by KLA, heard about the importance of advocating for the livestock industry, saw KLA lobbyists in action at the state Capitol and took part in the KLA Legislative Meeting. Additionally, YSA members attended a Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting at the Capitol and participated in a financial planning seminar conducted by Pinion.
As part of an interactive session led by KLA communications staff, industry advocate Jacquelyne Leffler, and WIBW-Topeka farm broadcasters Greg Akagi and Slade Wiley, the group was given tips for handling media and took part in a mock interview exercise.
The second installment will be in May. Members will get a look at several agribusinesses and beef retailers in the Kansas City area.