The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is celebrating 37 years of expanding young people’s understanding of our state’s number one industry – agriculture. It is a four-day conference held in mid-July at the Kauffman Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Center, located on UNL’s City Campus, provides lodging and an excellent site for NAYI activities. NAYI is for high school juniors and seniors. Each year, approximately 140 delegates attend the Institute. Knowledgeable speakers will motivate, address current issues and inform the delegates about the future of agriculture. There is also time for group discussions and interaction, as well as a variety of evening activities. NAYI is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council. NAYI 2008 will be held July 13-17.

Career Development
The delegates become acquainted with the many possibilities of careers in agriculture through the help of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Such areas included in the past include animal science, agronomy, agribusiness and mechanized systems management.

Leadership
Group activities are numerous throughout the week. One activity is the computer simulated farm management game. Group activities provide the opportunity for team work as well as building lifetime friendships.

Educational
Attendees will learn everything from the different types of agriculture in Nebraska to farm safety issues to farm family relations. The Council strives to keep the whole week educational yet upbeat.

Delegates
Each February, applications are sent to agricultural education teachers, guidance counselors and county extension agents. Click on the application button at the top of the page to print off the application form. Any Nebraska student who is a junior or senior at the time of application is eligible. Applications are due April 15 each year. Delegates are selected based on leadership skills, interest and involvement in agriculture. All expenses, except transportation to and from Lincoln, are paid by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and sponsors.

Recruitment Presentations
PowerPoint Version - to be downloaded and viewed in Microsoft PowerPoint
Web Version - to be downloaded and viewed in Internet Explorer