Peyton Burns Represents Oklahoma at NFU Raising Voices Summit in D.C.

Thirty-four FFA and Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) met in Washington, D.C. to have an interactive discussion about agricultural policy, and ways each young individual can be an entrepreneur in the agricultural industry.

Peyton Burns, from Kingfisher, Okla., and a former AFR Youth Advisory Council member, represented Oklahoma at the National Farmers Union (NFU) Raising Voices Summit. The Summit was held in association with NFU Fly-In, Sept. 9-11, an event farmers and ranchers meet with administration officials and members of Congress to discuss legislative matters affecting the country.

The Summit kicked off with a welcome from NFU President, Roger Johnson, who discussed the logistics of NFU Fly-In, and gave a background of NFU’s rich history.

Students then had the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker, Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Wheat Growers Association, about his experience in youth agricultural programs like 4-H and FFA, and how these programs prepared him for the position he is in today.

Following Goule’s speech, students participated in a policy panel, which focused on agricultural legislative issues. The panel consisted of Riley Pagett, representative for USDA; Matt Perdue, representative for NFU; Mike Stranz, representative for the House Agriculture Committee; and Mary Nowak, representative for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

To wrap up the event, students were rallied by NFU Sr. Vice President, Rob Larew, who spoke about the impact each student can make in the following days at NFU Fly-In.

“We are excited Peyton was able to join us in Washington for NFU Fly-In and this renowned leadership event,” Scott Blubaugh, AFR/OFU Cooperative President, said. “Events like the Raising Voices Summit are great experiences for our youth to understand current legislative matters affecting our members and the country.”