Youth who attended the cooperative education trip to Minneapolis include, standing, left to right: Megan Hanson of Britton, Karly Schaunaman of Aberdeen, Abby Dethlefsen of Stickney, Brenna Johnson of Groton, Haley Keizer of Plankinton, Jennifer Hanson of Britton, Caleb Nugteren of Canistota, Hannah Sumption of Frederick, Bree Weidenbach of Canistota, Jim Brockel of Shadehill, Nick Snedeker of Woonsocket, Skylar Cox of Frederick, Justin Goetz of Herreid, Dalton Gerlach of Stickney, Joseph Nugteren of Canistota; seated, left to right: Marissa Holinka of Watertown, Cassidy Keller of Canistota, and Katherine Oberembt of Ethan.

In this day of social media and the digital world, a lot can happen in a day.
But for three days, July 6-8, 18 juniors and seniors from across South Dakota learned countless real-world things about cooperatives. The Minnesota trip rewarded their completion of three years of leadership activities through South Dakota Farmers Union.
South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director Rachel Haigh-Blume says, “It’s important for them to see how cooperatives work in urban environments and get new ideas. Seeing different types of cooperatives first hand really opens their minds.”
One such cooperative was a housing initiative started by students at the University of Minnesota. The trip also included stops at an organic food cooperative, CHS Inc., and REI consumer cooperative, where students had the opportunity to ask questions, get professional and internship advice, and see each in action.

…Read more of the article in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal.