Shown at the recent KYLA meeting at CTB, Inc., Milford, in front, from left are Autumn Yoder, Wawasee High School; Janelle Deatsman, Maple Leaf Farms Communications Manager; Kennedy Krull, Whitko High School; Aimee Gladieux, Triton Junior-Senior High School; and Kelly Heckaman, Purdue Extension Educator.
In back are, Tony Ciriello, KYLA Moderator; David Homme, Warsaw Community High School; Michael Jensen, Warsaw Community High School; Jared Mikel, Tippecanoe Valley High School; and Dave Laurenz, Chore-Time Global Director of Marketing. (Photo provided)

MILFORD — The Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy held its November meeting in Milford at Chore-Time Brock. The theme for the session was agribusiness in Kosciusko County. KYLA Moderator Tony Ciriello opened the meeting by welcoming the students.

Dave Laurenz, global director of marketing from Chore-Time, presented information about the number of employees, plant locations and products of CTB. Laurenz pointed out the importance of future research and growth opportunities in the global world. Because of the potential of career paths with a global focus, he encouraged the students to master a foreign language in order to be able to better communicate and learn about other cultures.

During an interactive learning activity, Kelly Heckaman, Purdue Extension Educator, communicated to the students how important agriculture in Kosciusko County is both economically and for our food production. The students learned various county facts such as the average farm size, the number of farms, and the percentage of our income that goes towards food.

Janelle Deatsman, communications manager from Maple Leaf Farms, shared how important vertical integration has been to their company. Deatsman informed the students of the various divisions of Maple Leaf and how these divisions help the company to be efficient and able to control the quality of their products. She had samples available for anyone wanting to taste duck.

Through each of the speakers, the students learned that agriculture is an area where engineers, scientist, managers, and planners are needed along with an abundance of technology.

The next meeting will be at KCH Health & Wellness Center on Dec. 2 where the students will learn about Orthopedics and Health Care in Kosciusko County.

KYLA exists to provide a positive environment where aspiring high school aged youth can learn the basics of leadership and become informed, capable leaders that assume active roles in the growth of our community. For more information about KYLA, go to www.kosciuskoyouthleadership.org.