The future of Missouri agriculture is bright with young people like Lynn Dyer leading the next generation. “I used to think leadership was about titles and positions,” states Lynn Dyer, “but I have grown to understand that leadership is the action you take and the way you help those around you. A title doesn’t make a leader. Action makes a leader.”  Lynn has been distinguished as a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar in recognition of her outstanding leadership as a member of Missouri 4-H and Missouri FFA. Lynn was raised near Higginsville in #Agri-Ready Designated Lafayette County on her family’s diversified cattle and row crop farm but has experienced leadership statewide through 4-H and FFA opportunities. 

“Lynn is a hard-working, dedicated, and knowledgeable young lady. She is a very smart young woman who also exhibits common sense and experience. It was privilege to work with her for the past year as a Missouri State FFA Vice-President,” said Teresa Briscoe, Agriculture Education Leadership Supervisor and Executive Secretary for the Missouri FFA Association, who nominated Lynn for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The program was established in 1964 by President Johnson and annually recognizes up to 161 of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors who excel in the areas of visual, creative, and performing arts or demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Lynn is one of only three Missouri youth to receive the award in 2024.

“Lynn is a perfect example of the success that can result from talent being paired with determination,” said Mr. Adam Brock, one of Lynn’s FFA Advisors, who recommended Lynn’s application to the Scholars Program. “She embraced every opportunity that came her way and accomplished so many things as a member of the FFA.  She also experienced tremendous success in other youth organizations. I have the utmost confidence she will use her many gifts to continue advocating for agricultural education and the agriculture industry in the future.” 

Lynn has loved growing up on her family’s diversified cattle and row crop farm in Lafayette County. Agriculture is a powerhouse in the county, with agriculture, food, feed and forestry generating $237.7 million in added value to the county economy, supporting over 4,000 jobs and creating over $300 million in household income annually. Lafayette County has been recognized as one of seventy Agri-Ready Designated Counties by Missouri Farmers Care, a voluntary program, which recognizes counites actively supporting the health and vitality of agriculture. The Dyer’s farm is reflective of the county’s production strengths with meat production and processing, grains and oilseeds leading the value of agriculture.  

As a freshman, Lynn didn’t plan to pursue an agricultural career, but joined FFA because it was a family tradition. As her FFA Advisors presented her with opportunities and motivation, FFA became her “big thing” in high school. She enjoyed the challenges of contests, speaking events, and the excitement of building relationships with other members as a chapter, area, and state officer. “Mr. Brock has been in my corner since my first fall speech competition. He was present at every interview, every opportunity, and was there for my very last contest. His influence helped me to grow my love of FFA,” Lynn said. “Both of my ag advisors helped me find a home for myself in agriculture and encouraged me to pursue agricultural education. I look forward to teaching the next generation to advocate for agriculture.”

As a senior in high school, Lynn was chosen to lead Missouri FFA members as a State Vice President. Her extensive travels to visit with FFA members in their home chapters during the year led to the capstone of her service at Missouri’s State FFA Convention this past April. “As I walked through the Hearnes Center, every few steps I greeted members that I had met throughout the year. I loved reconnecting with each one,” Lynn said. She also served as an FFA partner educator for Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves) program, leading the local effort to teach agriculture lessons to elementary students in Higginsville. She continued to teach Ag Moves lessons in urban Kansas City this summer and hopes to continue as an educator for the program when she begins college this fall.

“When eight-year-old-Lynn started 4-H, I was so introverted that my dad had to bribe me with ice cream to participate,” Lynn said. “Our 4-H club president, Abby Oelrichs, invited nine-year-old-Lynn to serve as our club historian. I was so surprised that Abby believed in me enough to ask me to do a job. Her encouragement was the catalyst to my involvement in 4-H. It has been my goal to become a leader for others like Abby was for me. I used to think leadership was about titles and positions, but I have grown to understand that leadership is the action you take and the way you help those around you. A title doesn’t make a leader. Action makes a leader.”

As a U.S. Presidential Scholar, Lynn received a medallion, an invitation to join the alumni network of the program, and will participate in a virtual recognition ceremony. Receiving recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar was a capstone to Lynn’s impressive accomplishments during high school, with extensive state-level leadership in 4-H and FFA. In addition, she served as a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) district officer, member of Student Council and National Honor Society (NHS), and a participant in Scholar Bowl and Science Olympiad. Lynn graduated from Lafayette County C-1 High School this May and plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University to study agricultural education this fall. Lynn is the oldest child of Steve and Kim Dyer. The Dyers are members of Missouri Soybean Association and Steve serves on the Lafayette County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.