Agriculture Future of America has selected 25 ambassadors representing 25 schools from 21 states to serve for the organization’s 2021 fiscal year.
“These 25 AFA Ambassadors have been selected to represent our organization on their campuses, in their regions and nationally as we work to build bridges to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture," said Mark Stewart, AFA president and CEO. "This highly competitive group was chosen because of their passion and commitment to agriculture and AFA.”
The 2020-21 AFA Ambassadors:
- Kayla Bashore, University of Florida
- Lily Beasley, University of Kentucky
- Kendra Betz, Missouri State University
- Jailynn Britt, University of Maryland - Eastern Shore
- JC Campbell, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Erin Chalupa, Iowa State University
- Sophie Chance, North Carolina State University
- Landry Cunningham, Texas A&M University
- Morgan Duenke, Northwest Missouri State University
- Kalie Ellis, Tennessee State University
- Ines Frazier, Prairie View A&M University
- Morgan Hasler, North Dakota State University
- Grace Hasler, Purdue University
- Joseph Jangulo, Illinois State University
- Morgan Kanemoto, California State University - Fresno
- Tori McGuire, Fort Valley State University
- Tiffany Patrick, Virginia State University
- Alan Ramos, University of Idaho
- Patrick Rush, The Pennsylvania State University
- Claire Sheppard, Oklahoma State University
- Nicole Stafford, Kansas State University
- Caleb Swears, University of Arkansas
- Cara Teigum, South Dakota State University
- Julie Ustach, Utah State University
- Haylee Young, Texas Tech University
The AFA Ambassadors, who will serve from March 1, 2020, to Feb. 28, 2021, set goals to increase awareness of AFA programs on their campuses and in their regions and work to establish creative strategies to accomplish those goals. Ambassadors will also interact with industry professionals at various events and meetings on behalf of AFA.
“When we have a strong ambassador on a college campus, we see strong applications and participation from that campus," said Ashley Collins, AFA's director of collegiate relations. "I’m excited to be able to work alongside this group of ambassadors as we work to reach more students on more campuses.”
On average, 66% of the applicants to AFA’s leader development programs come from a school where AFA has an active ambassador.
The ambassador’s first meeting will be in April. This will be a joint meeting with the AFA Student Advisory Team and will include team building, inclusivity training and planning for their year of service. AFA’s student leadership program has been made possible through strategic partnership with the CHS Foundation.