From the beginning of time, one of the fundamental processes of renewal in nature has been fire. Fire takes what is old and makes it new again. It is a powerful force made up of millions of tiny sparks. Without each individual flame, however, the fire is reduced to nothing more than a flicker. Every spark counts; every flame is important to the survival of the blaze and to the renewal of the land that is left behind.

In this way, Agriculture is like fire. While each person plays a unique and important role within the agriculture industry, our combined efforts blaze a trail toward the future of agriculture. People within agriculture work hard each day to fuel the flame and keep their own dreams alive while at the same time providing kindle for the fire that is the industry.

Because of these similarities, AFA has chosen the theme Agriculture: Many Sparks. One Fire. for the 13th Annual AFA Leaders Conference that will be held November 5-8. As outstanding college students from across the nation gather to interact with their peers and learn from prominent leaders in the agriculture and food industry, they will be reminded that they are the important spark in the agriculture industry.

The AFA Leaders Conference is a three-track program designed to offer college men and women unique opportunities in personal and professional development that correspond with their year in college. The Track One program is designed for freshmen and focuses on assessment. The Track Two program is designed for sophomores/juniors and focuses on communication. The Track Three program is designed for juniors/seniors and focuses on living and working in the global market.

Students who attend AFA Leaders Conferences benefit from sessions facilitated by more than 125 nationally recognized leaders in agriculture, business, government and education. Students also have the opportunity to attend the AFA Opportunity Fair, which provides a unique environment for human resource representatives to communicate, advocate and mentor AFA students about opportunities available within the industry. During this fair, corporations, associations and colleges/universities representing the scope of the industry engage AFA students for intern, full-time employment and graduate studies.

We hope you will make plans to join us November 5-8 for the 2009 AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City, MO. Take a moment to review the AFA Conference Program, and check out the photo gallery. Opportunities for student sponsorship will be posted as they become available beginning in mid-July. Please check this website frequently for those offers! We look forward to seeing you in November!

AFA is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit organization that creates partnerships that identify, encourage and support outstanding college men and women preparing for careers in the agriculture and food industry. For more information, log onto www.agfuture.org.


K. Russell Weathers
President and CEO