The National Institute for Cooperative Education (NICE) is a national program that teaches youth about the importance of cooperative business. The 2009 event will be held at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville on July 25-29. Approximately 100 youth from 12 states will come together to participate in activities that will teach them about cooperatives and enhance their business management skills in a fun and educational environment.

Attendees participate in a wide array of activities. There are icebreakers and team-building activities where the youth scholars have an opportunity to mingle and compete in relay-style events. Leadership development sessions, case student competition, a business simulation exercise, and a day away from the campus to see the local area are all on the schedule.

At the conference, each state may nominate one male and one female candidate to participate in the Outstanding Youth Scholar program. These students are judged on their written application and their interview before a panel of judges.

It is a fun-filled and information packed four-day conference. The NICE conference has its roots in the American Institute on Cooperation (AIC). Over time, the conference grew, changed its name to NICE, and was supported by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives as one of its many educational conferences throughout the year. Now it is totally supported by state cooperative councils and their members.

2009 Application
For more information contact Page Chestnut.