Kansas City is known for many things. It carries a legacy for having the first National FFA Convention. It has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other city in the nation. And did you know if you have a card to says Hallmark on the back, it was made in this nifty town?
On the first week of November that is not all this town had to offer. The 2011 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leader’s Conference was in Kansas City, Missouri from November 3-6th. AFA is a 3 day conference in Kansas City, Missouri where college students all over the United States are selected to attend. There were three different conference tracks based on your year in school, and professional achievement. Each track offers you the chance to be engaged with other students with similar interests, hear motivational speakers, career development training, and network with over a 100 different business’s in the food, fiber, and agriculture industry.
The theme for AFA this year was “My Piece. My Place. Our Future.” The theme really describes the tone for the conference. The conference was such a great way to get fired up and even more so about your future in an awesome industry. AFA was kicked off with a very inspiring Captain Plumb, a Vietnam fighter pilot. His plane was shot down, he parachuted into enemy hands, was captured, tortured and held prisoner for six years. Such an amazing story! He encouraged participants not let the surrounding walls suppress us and to thank the people in our life that pack our parachutes in his memorable keynote ,“Winning through Adversity.”
Here are a few highlights of the track three session that I was in:
“You’ve graduated now what?” A panel of employers explains how to manage life after graduation, and what employers are looking for in you as a possible future employee.
“Money Talks” Adam Carroll, a motivational speaker that educated participants on how to manage money he spoke on everything dealing with investments, debt, money markets, and stocks.
“Family Dynamics in Agriculture and in Business” Led by a professor and counselor from Nebraska State University, this track explained how to handle managing different dynamics if you plan on going back to the farm, or starting up a farm.
The conference was also complete without a fun night of dancing, bowling, mini-golf go-carting, and ice skating.
On the final day, Jolene Brown, a farm wife, professional public speaker and comedian ended this conference with a bang. She left us with OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE- it’s all in how you see it.
Opportunities are a wonderful thing. As I finish my fourth and final year at the University of Kentucky I am truly thankful for the opportunities, experiences, and growth that I have been able to partake in, as I network, examine, and research ideas and paths for my future I am thankful for all of the knowledge, and skills that have been given to my at the University of Kentucky.
I walked away from the conference with profound information and tools to help me succeed in the future, new friends, so many business cards, and pages of notes to apply and examine to my everyday life. Thanks to the giving support of Monsanto I had the privilege to attend Agriculture Future Leader’s Conference. I highly encourage other college students to apply and attend this extraordinary conference! Check it out on www.agfuture.org or for more information, follow them on facebook or twitter.
Keitha, UK Class of 2012
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