Stay Informed

Former members of the Indiana Rural Youth/Young Adult (RY/YA) program are invited to gather at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 24, for their 2022 reunion.

The RY/YA program was founded in 1938 and was open to people 17 to 30 years of age. During its more than 50 years of existence, it focused on three broad aims: education, recreation and community service.

“RY/YA was always a great program to catch up with old connections and make new ones that all shared the same common mission,” said Kermit Paris, INFB District 8 director and past RY/YA member.

While there is no specific theme for this year’s reunion, attendees will have a chance to reconnect with old friends and will be encouraged to share their thoughts and memories of the program and remember some past leaders and consultants.

The reunion was originally planned for 2020 and then 2021, but it had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

“It’s nice to get to reconnect and visit with members of the Rural Youth program after so many years apart,” said Paris.

The peak of statewide membership was in the mid- to late 1950s with approximately 5,000 members. At one time or other, there was a rural youth club in each county, though not all at the same time. The name was changed in 1985 to Indiana Young Adults to attract more urban youth.

The organization was in official existence from 1938-1989 and allowed thousands of then-kids and young adults to have agriculture experiences and opportunities.

Registration for the 2022 reunion begins at 1 p.m., the program at 2 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. Dinner will cost $12 per person, but no reservations are needed.

For more information, write to Richard Fruchtnicht, conniefruchtnicht@yahoo.com.

Those who cannot attend can still participate by sending their thoughts and memories to be shared at the reunion. Write to Richard Fruchtnicht, conniefruchtnicht@yahoo.com.