KYLA members learned about agri-business with a visit to CTB Inc., Milford. Shown in front are Hannah Delp, Lakeland Christian Academy; Neema Patel, Warsaw Community High School; Brianna Nolen, Triton; and Maddy Henninger, Tippecanoe Valley. In back are Jannelle Deatsman, Maple Leaf Farms; Ethan Cook, WCHS; Shay Marley, Tippecanoe Valley; Kent Kleeman, Midwest Poultry; Mark Dingeldien, CTB, Inc.; Kelly Heckaman, Purdue Extension; and Tony Ciriello, KYLA moderator. (Photo provided)

By EMILY COWAN
KYLA Board Member Media Relations

Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy held the November meeting at CTB, Inc., in Milford. The session focus was agri-business in Kosciusko County.

Through an interactive learning game presented by Kelly Heckaman from the Purdue Extension, the students matched questions with answers to learn various statistics and the importance of agri-business here in Kosciusko County, as well as Indiana and across the world.

CTB Engineering Manager Mark Dingeldein discussed leadership qualities, CTB’s history and showed a video of a grain bin being built over an eight-month period of time. He answered questions about their competition and the global presence of the company.

Janelle Deatsman, communication manager at Maple Leaf Farms, shared her passion for agriculture through a presentation which included company history and growth, product line, the importance of vertical integration and Maple Leaf’s farming and feeding process. She also educated the students about Maple Leaf’s Trident Stewardship Program which includes efforts regarding duck well-being, biosecurity, and natural resource conversation.

Kent Kleeman from quality assurance at Midwest Poultry showed a video about eggs farm to table journey. He discussed Midwest’s continual focus on safe quality food programs and closed with each table cracking an egg to examine while he shared facts regarding the shell, yolk and albumen.

KYLA moderator Tony Cirello concluded the session by encouraging the students to consider their community project (Project Proud) by the next meeting in December.

For more information about KYLA, visit www.kylaleadership.org.