Two Allamakee County students participate in Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour ...

U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst met in mid-June with Iowa students visiting Washington, D.C. to participate in the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The tour encourages leadership development and provides learning opportunities in advocacy and history. During the tour, students engage in electric cooperative advocacy activities, meet with federal agencies and hear from their U.S. senators and representatives. Additionally, the program allows them to learn more about American history and partake in civic engagement.

Students from rural communities across the United States are selected by their state association to attend the national event. Among this year’s participants were two Allamakee County youth who were selected for the Tour by Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative. Olivia Enyart (pictured third from left in front seated row) is a student in the Postville Community School District and Hayden Palmer (third from left in third row overall, first row standing) is a student in the Allamakee Community School District.

“Rural electric cooperatives keep the lights on in rural communities across the country, particularly in Iowa. Encouraging students to understand and advocate on behalf of these critical member-driven co-ops helps advance energy security,” Grassley said. “I’m grateful these students are getting involved and learning about the important role electric cooperatives play in Iowans’ everyday lives.” Submitted photo.