Farmers Union Launches Collegiate Clubs

Abby Kolousek grew up in Farmers Union. She attended camps and a D.C. Fly-In with her parents Scott and Amber. When she learned there was an opportunity to continue her involvement at the collegiate level, she was eager to engage.

"I saw this strong sense of community through Farmers Union. The members support each other. It just seems like a great organization to be a part of," explained Kolousek, who grew up on a Wessington Springs cattle operation and is a charter member of the Northern State University Farmers Union Club.

Bridging the gap between youth and adult programming is the reason South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) is working with college students to start collegiate clubs, explained Samantha Bowman, SDFU Education Program Specialist. "We saw a need, because youth grew up actively involved in our programming, and then there was nothing for them. These collegiate clubs provide opportunities to young adults to be involved and expand ag and policy knowledge."

Connecting with ag policy is among the reasons Mitchell Technical College student Treyton Anson and a few of his friends helped start their campus club. "We want to know what is going on around the ag world - not just what we do in everyday life on our farms and ranches - but what is going on in Washington, D.C. that impacts us," explained Anson, who plans to return to his family's cattle operation after he graduates.

Along with policy, Anson said the Collegiate Farmers Union Club also plans to provide a fun opportunity to connect with other ag majors on campus. In September, Anson and his friends hosted an Ag Olympics. Students competed in pitchfork tossing, bale stacking, tire flipping and corn hole.

In 2025 collegiate clubs started on the campuses of South Dakota State University, Northern State University and Mitchell Technical College. To learn more, contact Bowman at [email protected].