File Photo: Ag Voices of the Future students learn more about the regulatory process during a presentation by Sheryl Kunickis, director, Office of Pest Management Policy at USDA in Washington, D.C. in 2017.

ASA is now accepting applications for the Valent Ag Voices of the Future program, which will be held July 6-9, 2020, in conjunction with the summer ASA Board meeting and Soy Issues Forum in Washington, D.C. The Ag Voices of the Future program is for students interested in improving their understanding of major agricultural policy issues, the importance of advocacy, and careers that can impact agricultural policy. Class size is limited and students must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Bonus Opportunity through Agriculture Future of America

Through a partnership ASA and Valent have with collegiate organization Agriculture Future of America (AFA), two students from the 2020 Ag Voices of the Future program will also have the opportunity to win the following.

• $1,600 academic scholarship
• Complimentary registration (includes hotel stay) for the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference – Nov. 12-15, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Up to $500 for reimbursement of travel expenses to the AFA Leaders Conference

Application Process

To apply for the ASA and Valent Ag Voices of the Future program, and be considered for a scholarship to the AFA Leaders Conference, students should visit the AFA website at agfuture.org/scholarships, click on the green “Apply Now” button, and submit their online application by March 11. To make sure students are considered for the Ag Voices of the Future program, they should check the box that reads, “I have an interest in agriculture policy and would like to be considered for the ASA and Valent Ag Voices of the Future Program (July 6-9, 2020, in Washington, D.C.), as well as receiving an AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship.” If a student has already applied for the AFA Leaders Conference, they can still modify their application to include checking the box for the Ag Voices of the Future program.

We encourage you to promote the Ag Voices of the Future program in your communications and share this information with any students you think may be interested in participating. Click here for more information or contact Michelle Hummel at (314) 754-1328 or mhummel@soy.org.