ABERDEEN, S.D. –?Northern State University student Patrick Olson has been selected to serve on the National Farmers Union Youth Advisory Council, a prestigious opportunity that took shape following his participation in the recent D.C. Leadership Summit.
Olson, an Aberdeen native majoring in accounting with a pre-law focus, was introduced to the South Dakota Farmers Union while attending the state fair.
“I saw them talk about their policies and was deeply interested in their cause,” he said. “It felt amazing to be selected for the Youth Advisory Council, especially as it’s my first year as a fully enrolled member of Farmers Union.”
His interest in agriculture runs deep—rooted in family and strengthened by experience.
“My grandfather owns a farm and my uncle works with him, so I was learning about ag from a young age,” Olson said. “I wanted to do something to get involved with farmers.”
At the Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., Olson connected with peers from across the country to discuss agricultural issues and policy.
“It was amazing getting to meet new people and hear what agriculture is like in different climates,” he said. “We also got to talk about shared issues that farmers face.”
Now, as a member of the Youth Advisory Council, Olson’s goals include expanding outreach and visibility for Farmers Union.
“My goals are to reach out to the agriculture community, learn about the issues they’re facing, and introduce Farmers Union to more communities,” he said.
At Northern, he plans to start a Farmers Union club, bridging students in business-related majors with those in the university’s new agribusiness program.
“I’m hoping a Farmers Union club on campus will bring students together and introduce more of them to the many opportunities available through Farmers Union,” he said.
Long term, Olson aims to use his accounting and pre-law education to advocate for rural and agricultural communities.
“I plan to focus on farm accounting to help farmers navigate tax issues, and eventually ag law to assist with land contracts and protect against unlawful farmland seizures,” he said. “I want to help expanding cities and existing farms maintain a symbiotic relationship.”
For more information on the National Farmers Union Youth Advisory Council, visit www.nfu.org.