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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Governor Jack Dalrymple has proclaimed May 4-10, 2014, as Farmers Union Youth Week, citing North Dakota Farmers Union’s dedication to cooperative education and community leadership.

“The youth of our state are North Dakota’s most valuable resource,” and “enhancing leadership abilities in our young people will help build visionary leaders for North Dakota’s future,” wrote Dalrymple in a signed proclamation. “Educating young people on cooperative business is important to growing our state’s agricultural industry and overall economy.”

As the state’s largest general farm organization, North Dakota Farmers Union conducts county-sponsored classes on educational topics and summer camps for rural and urban kids.

More than 1,000 youth attend Farmers Union camps annually, which get underway in June. Three and five-day camps are offered for youth in grades 3-12. Each camp features traditional activities like swimming, campfires, theme nights and sports, while teaching an interactive curriculum that builds teamwork and leadership skills. Attendees also learn about cooperative businesses, and organize their own camp canteen as a co-op.

This year for the first time, senior youth will have the opportunity to experience Farmers Union Camp on wheels, aboard the organization’s new 56-passenger motor coach. “Rolling Camp” is scheduled for Aug. 6-9. Campers will learn by visiting and touring sites related to the senior youth camp project on renewable energy. Participants will learn about coal, water and wind power on their four-day journey.

For more information on Farmers Union’s youth program or to register for summer camp, go to www.ndfu.org and click on “youth and camps.”