Education
Scholarships
RMFU/May Farms Kids’ Fun Day!Don’t miss RMFU Kids’ Fun Day at May Farms in Byers, Colo., April 19, 2008. There will be something for everyone, including fishing, cooperative games, renewable energy activities, planting a garden, hayrides, scavenger hunts, plus much more! >> Details |
Thank you for your interest in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and its scholarship program. In 2008, there will be more than $10,000 in higher education scholarships available between RMFU and National Farmers Union. Each scholarship has different application forms and deadlines. Click on the titles below for specific guidelines. For NFU’s Stanley Moore Scholarship application, click the following link: Stanley Moore application.
» RMFU application
» Hubert K. Seymour application
Summer Leadership Camps, Bailey, Colo.
For more than 60 years, youth ages 7-18, have been developing leadership skills, self-confidence and learning cooperation by attending RMFU Leadership Camps at the Farmers Union Education Center in Bailey, Colorado. Along with learning important life-skills in a fun and educational setting, the campers take part in theme-nights, recreational activities and field trips. RMFU has a proven track record as a camp that enables children to be themselves, make lasting friendships and learn leadership skills in a fun way.
In 2008, there are three grade-specific camps; June 9-12: Junior Camp (completed grades 2-4); June 16-20: Middle Camp (completed grades 5-7); June 23-27: Senior Camp (completed grades 8-12). For more information, click on the links below or call RMFU’s education director, Jennifer Luitjens Bahr (303) 752-5800.
» Camp Information
» Camp Registration Form
» Staff Application
Youth Leaders
RMFU has a proud history of providing quality educational and leadership opportunities to its youth. This is possible because of the dedicated youth leaders and education directors within the counties. The youth leaders help plan and conduct education activities in local communities, coordinate local speech contests, conduct youth recognition nights, sign-up summer campers and encourage youth to apply for scholarship opportunities. The youth leaders and education directors are the first link in RMFU’s education program.
Youth Completion Awards
Farmers Union youth who complete four activities at the state or local level in a year earn the Youth Completion Award. Youth may start earning their awards when they are in 1st grade and continue until they have graduated from high school. The Torchbearer Award is the highest honor bestowed upon youth who participate in the Farmers Union youth program. The award is presented to those who have completed five years of senior youth work. Torchbearers are honored annually at the RMFU convention.
Senior Youth Advisory Council
The RMFU Senior Youth Advisory Council (SYAC) represents youth throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. The SYAC is elected by their peers at the previous year’s Senior Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo. The SYAC assist with details at the RMFU annual convention and help plan the following year’s summer camps.
Food for Thought Contest
The Food for Thought Contest is designed for youth to explore, celebrate and strengthen their agricultural connections to the land, their community, healthy food, family and farms and to express this connection through poetry and artwork they create. The agriculturally-themed contest, which consists of original work that has to do with food, farming and ranching, is open to youth in grades K-12. Entries will be displayed and judged at the RMFU annual convention, held each year the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Speech Contest
The RMFU Speech Contest focuses on developing knowledge, awareness and understanding about the role that agricultural and cooperative businesses play in rural communities. All high school students (grades 9-12) are eligible to take part in the speech contests that are held by the local and county organizations. Winners from the local contests advance to the state contest which is held at the annual convention. First and second place winners, at both levels, receive cash prizes. Participants include both members and non-members. Participation by Farmers Union youth constitutes an activity to help earn a completion award.
» County Information
» Participant Information
Work & Fun Shops
Many counties hold county-sponsored “Work & Fun” shops throughout the year. They serve to introduce the Farmers Union educational program to youth throughout the tri-state region (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming). Youth “Work & Fun” shops form the basis of the Farmers Union youth program with classes offered for all ages. The aim of the program is threefold: To build a better world for all; to build a prosperous family farm agriculture structure; and, to build a stronger Farmers Union.
All-States Leadership Camp
Every summer, youth ages 17-22 from throughout the United States, travel to the Farmers Union Education Center in Bailey, Colo., to spend a week at the All-States Leadership Camp. The week-long learning experience is centered on leadership development. Youth participate in a variety of activities that emphasize the value of good citizenship, political and community activism, the power of one person to make a difference in the world as well as working together through organizations to achieve common goals. RMFU youth need to achieve two years of completion work. Look for information early next year on the 2008 camp!
Farmers Union Fun Page
In conjunction with our newly redesigned Union Farmer, you will be able to find activities and correspondence curriculum here on a monthly basis that is based on a central theme. In each edition of the Union Farmer we will give a brief introduction of the theme and provide a few fun activities. For more activities and projects that are age-specific you can click the icons in the brown bar below. Also, for youth that are not a part of an active county education program or if you miss a day class or activity and need to make it up to achieve your yearly award, you can complete the lesson plan and submit it to your county youth leader or the RMFU education director. This month our theme is “Fueling the Future.” It is a look into renewable energy and energy conservation. Each of us has an important role in making sure our energy is safe, reliable and will be available for future generations.
» Grades 6-8
» Grades 9-12
» Grades 1-5 (two pages)
» Union Farmer Fun Page Answers
Contact Us
For more information on RMFU’s educational opportunities and programs contact Jennifer Luitjens Bahr, director of education/organization development, at 303.752.5800 or via e-mail.
