ACN Reporter Selected As Nebraska IFYE Representative

After interning with Pitzer Digital and the My Local County News team for the last seven months, Alyssa Dye is handing in her NSAA media pass and picking up her passport. 

Dye was selected as one of three representatives from Nebraska to participate in an esteemed international agricultural exchange program.  

Starting in June, Dye will be living with different families throughout Estonia and Germany through the IFYE program. While in Estonia, Dye will also have the unique opportunity to participate in the European IFYE Conference in July.

IFYE (formerly known as the International Four-H Youth Exchange and initially as the International Farm Youth Exchange) was founded in 1948 on the premise of creating peace through understanding. The full-immersion program enables participants from 25 countries around the globe to live with host families, primarily in rural areas and gain a new appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures while experiencing the meaning of global citizenship.

IFYE National Program Director Alan Lambert said, "IFYE delegates are proven leaders, who have the ability to adapt and thrive in challenging situations, and who are genuinely interested in people and in making a difference.  IFYEs live in cultural diversity, and thus gain a deeper understanding and broader knowledge of the world and its peoples. Because of these new experiences, many IFYEs develop additional skills enabling them to become better employees, entrepreneurs, and community members at local, state, national and international levels." 

“I am humbled and excited for this opportunity to represent my home state of Nebraska and my country in this incredible program and to connect through living and telling stories that bring peace through understanding,” Dye said.

Dye is a recent graduate of UNL with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education-leadership with minors in international agriculture and natural resources and Engler agribusiness entrepreneurship. Since November, Dye has been a reporter and videographer in Boone, Holt, Knox and Antelope Counties, covering news and events with the multimedia rural startup.

“Alyssa has been a great asset to our company, especially during this incredible expansion with the purchase of the newspaper, television production and local county news,” Carrie Pitzer said. “I can honestly say we would not be as successful today without her. She’s been an intricate team player.”

Dye said she believes her experience with the My Local County News team has played significant role in her personal and professional growth, preparing her for this upcoming adventure.

​“The opportunity to work with and learn from Carrie and her team where I have learned and gained a lot of experience in the art of storytelling through stories that matter has been a game changer,” Dye said. “I am excited for the continuing growth and changes coming down the pike for the My Local County News team and to see its impact in these  communities.”

Pitzer called this “an incredible opportunity” for Dye and wished her well in future endeavors.

“Alyssa’s love of social media, agriculture  and storytelling are an incredible combination, and I’m excited to keep up with her adventures through her blog,” Pitzer said. “Alyssa has built a lot of friendships in our coverage area, and she will be missed.”