Palisade woman in Farm Bureau’s Leadership Academy class for ‘23

    Ten farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals from across Nebraska have been selected for Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 2023 Leadership Academy.
    They will begin a year-long program starting Jan. 19-20 in Kearney.
    One member of the class is Ayla Smith of Palisade. A member of Hayes County Farm Bureau, she lives on her late grandparents’ farm.
    She grew up helping her family on their small farm while assisting local ranchers with their cattle operations. She currently works at her local church while managing a small poultry and goat operation and assists her husband with his trucking business.
    “The goal of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy is to cultivate the talents and strengths of our members and connect their passion for agriculture to opportunities of service within the Farm Bureau organization,” said Audrey Schipporeit, NEFB’s director of generational engagement and facilitator of the 2023 Leadership Academy.
    “By developing leadership skills, academy members can develop their passions and positively impact their local communities and the state of Nebraska,” she said.
    Academy members will participate in sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state and national structure of Farm Bureau and its grassroots network, policy work on agricultural issues, and the importance of agricultural literacy.
    The group will also travel to the capitols in Lincoln and Washington, D.C. to visit with elected officials and agency representatives.