Co-ops help with Aspire Leadership Conference

Some of our co-ops, through their participation in the Alabama Council of Cooperatives, helped sponsor the Aspire Youth Leadership Conference in July at the 4-H Center in Columbiana. At this annual event, students age 15 to 17 from Alabama’s rural areas spend a few days learning leadership skills and strengthening their understanding of agriculture.

They heard from keynote speaker Mike Lutzenkirchen, father of Auburn football standout Philip Lutzenkirchen, who talked to the young people about making good choices. Philip Lutzenkirchen died in a car crash in 2014.

There were presentations from the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Council of Cooperatives. Laura Thornton of Pea River EC and Chellie Phillips of South Alabama EC also talked to the group about values and setting personal goals.

Covington, Southern Pine, SAEC, Pea River, Joe Wheeler and Pioneer cooperatives sponsored students to attend this year’s event.