MIDWEST CITY— Checotah student Jade McPeak was among more than 200 from across the state who attended the 2023 American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Youth Leadership Summit July 23-29.

The annual retreat develops leadership skills in junior high and high school students that will prepare them for future educational and professional experiences.

They attended one of two AFR Leadership Summit sessions—Teen Summit and Senior Summit. McPeak attended the 2023 AFR Teen Leadership Summit.

The theme for this year’s AFR Leadership Summit was “Mission I’M Possible.” Summit attendees participated in development activities that will benefit them now and in the future. Students learned life skills, such as setting and achieving shortand long-term goals and working in teams. They also learned the value of personal responsibility, respect for their peers and many other positive attributes.

“The AFR Leadership Summit is a great way for the youth of Oklahoma to learn skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “We are proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma through our state’s agricultural youth. This is just one way of demonstrating that investment in communities across our state.”

In addition to this year’s leadership development activities, Summit attendees participated in a camp-wide service project. For this year’s Summit project, students prepared more than 1000 care boxes for active military personnel serving overseas.

The AFR Youth Leadership Summit is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts an agriculture achievement contest, statewide scholarships, speech contests, livestock judging and grading competitions, and many other development opportunities. For more information on this contest or other AFR Youth Program projects, contact AFR Youth Development Coordinator Tailor Atkinson at (405)218-5566 or tailor. atkinson@afrmic.com.