Schuster earns Torchbearer Award

North Dakota Farmers Union bestowed its highest youth achievement honor – the Torchbearer Award – on Garret Schuster of New Rockford at the organization's recent state convention in Bismarck.

The award recognizes students for their involvement in Farmers Union's youth education program, including five years of senior class work designed to enhance communication, leadership and teamwork skills, as well as business knowledge of cooperatives.

Sixteen young people accepted the award during a special candlelight ceremony. As Torchbearers, youth pledge to build a better world for all and a prosperous agriculture while practicing tolerance and brotherhood in order to "light the way to a peaceful world."

North Dakota Farmers Union operates one of the largest grassroots youth programs in the nation. More than 1,200 students, participate annually in Farmers Union camps and educational classes.