NRECA – Dakota Electric Association® https://www.dakotaelectric.com EmPowering Our Members with Safe, Affordable & Reliable Electricity Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:41:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.dakotaelectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dakota-electric-squarelogo-1443621295273-66x66.png NRECA – Dakota Electric Association® https://www.dakotaelectric.com 32 32 Dakota Electric Association® announces 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour winners https://www.dakotaelectric.com/2026/03/20/dakota-electric-association-announces-2026-electric-cooperative-youth-tour-winners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dakota-electric-association-announces-2026-electric-cooperative-youth-tour-winners Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:24 +0000 https://www.dakotaelectric.com/?p=719258

Local students to embark on educational trip to D.C.

(FARMINGTON, MN) March 20, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association is proud to announce the five local high school students selected to participate in the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, an all expense paid leadership trip to Washington, D.C., taking place June 14–21. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Since 1967, Dakota Electric has sent nearly 170 students to participate in Youth Tour, demonstrating our commitment to the community.

The students selected this year are:

A panel of judges selected the students after reviewing their applications and conducting a round of interviews. “Every year, I am amazed by not only the number but also the quality of candidates who apply,” said Peggy Johnson, community relations director at Dakota Electric. “It’s inspiring to meet students who care deeply about their communities and want to learn how they can make an impact.”

A panel of judges selected the students after reviewing their applications and conducting a round of interviews. “Every year, I am amazed by not only the number but also the quality of candidates who apply,” said Peggy Johnson, community relations director at Dakota Electric. “It’s inspiring to meet students who care deeply about their communities and want to learn how they can make an impact.”

Since 1958, Youth Tour has brought together over 1,500 students annually from electric cooperatives across the country for a hands‑on learning experience in our nation’s capital. During the week, students learn about government, electric cooperatives, and how they work together. They also have the chance to visit several monuments, memorials, and museums in Washington, D.C., while meeting members of Congress.

Johnson added, “Youth Tour has a long legacy of shaping future leaders. We’re honored to support students from our service area as they explore government, cooperatives, and the power of civic engagement.”

Applications for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour are available on Dakota Electric’s website each January. Eligible applicants must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors currently enrolled in high school and residing within Dakota Electric’s service area. Students wanting more information can visit https://www.dakotaelectric.com/youthtour/.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its members while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

]]> Dakota Electric Association® announces 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour winners https://www.dakotaelectric.com/2025/04/01/dakota-electric-association-2025-youth-tour-winners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dakota-electric-association-2025-youth-tour-winners Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:01:56 +0000 https://www.dakotaelectric.com/?p=713838
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Local students win trip to D.C.

(FARMINGTON, MN) March 11, 2025 – Five local high school students were recently selected to receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Dakota Electric Association. The students will participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) annual Youth Tour, scheduled for June 16-21. The students selected are:

A panel of judges selected five students from those who applied after reviewing their applications and conducting a round of interviews. “Every year, I am amazed by not only the number but also the quality of candidates who apply,” said Peggy Johnson, Dakota Electric’s community relations director. “I know our judges have difficulty narrowing the candidates down to just five.”

A panel of judges selected five students from those who applied after reviewing their applications and conducting a round of interviews. “Every year, I am amazed by not only the number but also the quality of candidates who apply,” said Peggy Johnson, Dakota Electric’s community relations director. “I know our judges have difficulty narrowing the candidates down to just five.”

Every year, over 1,800 high school students from across the United States are chosen and sponsored by their local electric cooperatives to participate in NRECA’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. During the week, students learn about government, electric cooperatives, and how they work together. They also have the chance to visit several monuments, memorials, and museums in Washington, D.C., while meeting members of Congress.

Dakota Electric makes applications for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour available each January. Eligible applicants must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors currently enrolled in high school and residing within Dakota Electric’s service area. Students wanting more information can visit https://www.dakotaelectric.com/community/education-programs/.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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