Griffin, Martin attend ALFA Leadership Conference
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2024
- Covington County students Bella Griffin and Payten Martin, both Red Level students, attended the Alfa Youth Leadership Conference at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. The conference teaches students how to advocate for agriculture, identify their potential and step into leadership
roles. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation’s Matthew
Durdin, Griffin and Martin. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
Written by: Tanner Hood
Impact that inspires change.
That’s the idea and theme Alabama Farmers Federation Ag Leadership Programs Director Hunter McBrayer wanted attendees to embrace at the 2024 Alfa Youth Leadership Conference Nov. 4-5.
Over 80 Alabama high school freshmen and sophomores spent time at the conference developing essential skills to carry back to their homes, schools and communities. For Calhoun County’s Miller Spencer, this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“I think leadership is the most important skill someone can have because it impacts every single social interaction in life,” said Miller, a sophomore at Alexandria High School. “I’m the vice president of my FFA chapter, and one of my duties is to be a leader. I appreciate opportunities to advance my leadership abilities. Alfa Youth Leadership Conference is one of the best ways to do that.”
Students spent two days at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana participating in team development activities, learning leadership lessons from expert speakers Rhett Laubach and Alfa Insurance Leadership Consultant Nicole Pinkham, and building lifelong relationships.
“You were chosen to be here because someone saw something in you and believed in you,” Pinkham said.
Attendees also put their leadership skills in action. They participated in a character-building service project assembling toys to be given as Christmas presents to Children’s of Alabama patients.
McBrayer said he hopes the activities show students how their impact can inspire change in those around them.
“We have a responsibility to educate and help our young people grow,” McBrayer said. “We want to encourage our students to wake up every day and choose to be better. They are our future, and their success will affect us for years to come.”
Sponsors are Alabama Farmers Federation, Covington County Farmers Federation, Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.