Pictured in front from left are Katelyn Stump, Tippecanoe Valley; Caroline Stump, Tippecanoe Valley; Graciela Cobaxin, Warsaw; and Justine Ocken, Whitko. In the back row are Grant Knobloch, product manager, Chore Time Brock; Alayna Kreps, Whitko; Sophia Johnston, Warsaw; Ciara Privett, Triton; and Janelle Deatsman, Maple Leaf Farms. Photo provided by KYLA.

News Release

WARSAW — The 2022‐2023 class of the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy met Feb. 1 at First Christian Church where they learned about agribusiness in Kosciusko County.

The session was opened by Emily Kresca with the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Office. She provided the class with the 2017 Kosciusko County Agriculture census results and talked through what those results meant, highlighting some of the pros and cons of doing agriculture in the county. Kresca also shared information about the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Office, including the outreach and educational events they do throughout the county, and about how they advocate for the importance of agriculture in the county and state.

Following Kresca, Ryan Martin from Louis Dryfus Company spoke to the KYLA class about their operations and products. The students learned about the different uses of soybeans and the products LDC produces. Beyond their specific products, Martin also explained how vertical integration at LDC works and some of the steps the company has taken to be as productive as possible.

The next speaker was Grant Knobloch, representing Chore Time Brock, Inc. Grant spent his time explaining what CTB does and talking to the KYLA class about his path to the job he has today. Through his presentation and some videos, Knobloch highlighted how CTB is using new technologies and innovations to support the agriculture industry by increasing efficiencies and productivity, while also helping maintain a safe and stable food supply.

The last speaker for the February KYLA session was Janelle Deatsman representing Maple Leaf Farms. She spent time talking through Maple Leaf Farms history and the scale of their operations in Kosciusko County. Deatsman’s presentation focused on Maple Leaf Farms’ sustainable focus in their operations and treatment of their ducks. During a time of questions, Janelle highlighted how a company with the scale of Maple Leaf Farms maintains their quality standards at all the local farms that produce for them.

After hearing from the guest speakers, the KYLA class broke off into their Project Proud groups to continue working towards the completion of their projects by the April presentation date.

KYLA exists to provide an opportunity for high school juniors in Kosciusko County to learn the basics of leadership and to become informed about their community.