Who better to influence an organization designed to develop young leaders than the young leaders themselves? Agriculture Future of America has selected 10 Student Advisory Team members and 16 Campus Ambassadors to serve for the 2018-19 year. These students represent 25 schools from 22 states. During their year of service, these students will interact with agribusiness leaders, campus faculty and fellow students as they represent AFA.
“As an organization, we value students as leaders,” said Mark Stewart, AFA president and CEO. “This group of young men and women selected as AFA student leaders play an important role in everything we do. They are our student voice and influence the direction of our programs.”
The student leader team plays a large role in AFA’s external relations as well as program facilitation. All 26 students fill the Campus Ambassador role at their respective schools by serving as a liaison between AFA and university faculty, staff, and fellow students. Additionally, the 10 Student Advisory Team members are responsible for representing AFA nationally, as well as, planning and facilitating the 2018 AFA Leaders Conference, Nov. 1-4, in Kansas City, Missouri.
“We’re really looking forward to working with these young leaders throughout this year,” said Ashley Collins, director of collegiate relations for AFA. “Not only do they provide a lot of value to the organization, but this experience also sets them up for success in their future careers. This is a great opportunity for everyone involved.”
The student leaders will kick off their year April 12-14, when all 26 convene in Kansas City for training and to develop the 2018 Conference theme. As part of this training and at other touchpoints throughout the year, the student leaders will participate in respect and inclusivity training alongside the AFA staff and board of directors. The organization has chosen to emphasize this in order to provide a better experience to all students who represent the top young leaders in food and agriculture.
Throughout the year, the Student Advisory Team will visit corporate partners and potential partners of AFA, as well as develop plans for the 2018 Conference and assist at one of five AFA Leader Institutes. They will have opportunities to discuss various facets of agriculture and business with leaders from partner organizations. These visits expand students’ understanding of agriculture and add value to AFA’s leader development programs. AFA’s student leadership program is made possible through strategic partnerships with the Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Inc., CHS Foundation, and Farm Credit.
Student Advisory Team
Colm Allan, Washington State University
Becca Frazier, Purdue University
Zach Jacobs, Virginia Tech
Fabian Leon, University of Kentucky
Micah Mensing, The Ohio State University
Monica Pennewitt, The Ohio State University
Madelyn Regier, South Dakota State University
Jared Retzlaff, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Allison Stiens, University of Missouri
Michael Tupper, Iowa State University
Campus Ambassadors
Kara Brockamp, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bethany Gochenour, Clemson University
Sam Grams, University of Wisconsin – Platteville
Katie Haase, Northwest Missouri State University
Amanda Kowalewski, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Madelyn Kunzler, Utah State University
Emily Lewis, University of Tennessee – Martin
Allyson Lintker, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Julia Maddock, Kansas State University
Morgan Meyers, University of Idaho
Tucker Milholland, West Texas AM University
Allie Mostecak, North Carolina State University
Joe Ramstad, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Dylan Schoemaker, Pennsylvania State University
Samantha Wagner, Michigan State University
Allison Wilton, Oklahoma State University
