AFA Leaders Conference 2008

Join me at the 2008 AFA Leaders Conference on November 6th-9th in Kansas City, MO!

I attended the AFA Leaders Conference last November for the first time and I can honestly say it was the best conference I have ever attended. The AFA Leaders Conference offers three program tracks that carry out AFA's mission to support college men and women preparing for careers in the agriculture and food industry.

Track One focuses on personal assessment and is tyically for freshman; Track Two focuses on communication and is typically for sophomores and juniors; and Track Three focuses on managing change and is typically for juniors and seniors. AFA Leaders Conference also includes the AFA Opportunity Fair where Delegates interact with business and organization leaders to discuss internships and full-time job opportunities.

The AFA Leaders Conference was exceptional in my opinion because of its world-class speakers, its exectutive panels in which students interact with CEOs and executives from various organizations, its practical application and its unique goal of bring together college students from across the nation who share a passion for agriculture.

If you are interested in securing a sponsorship to the 2008 AFA Leaders Conference, please contact Hannah Phillips at hannah.phillips@agfuture.org or call AFA at (816) 472-4232.

You may also visit http://www.agfuture.org/ to learn more about AFA and the Leaders Conference or feel free to post your questions by clicking on the comments link below and I would be happy to help you.

Top 10 in Kansas City

10. Heart of America Shakespeare Festival in Southmoreland Park - Othello was incredible

9. AMC Barry Woods 24 movie theater - the MOST comfortable seats!!!

8. Zona Rosa - new outdoor shopping area with great restaurants (Tomfooleries was excellent!)

7. Partnership Place at 9th and Grand - the home of Agriculture Future of America

6. McCormick & Schmicks - the BEST Salmon I have ever tasted

5. Country Club Plaza - beautiful Spanish architecture and flowers... I hear it's pretty stunning at Christmas time too!

4. Ward Parkway - the most beautiful homes and landscaping in Kansas City

3. 39th Street West - an eclectic and vivacious community near the Plaza

2. Delaware Cafe - the MOST delicious potato leek soup and sandwiches

1. The fountains!!! - they are everywhere and every one is just as beautiful as the one before it

A special thank you to my wonderful friends who came to visit me in Kansas City and had the opportunity to experience some of these great locations!

15 Days to Go!

Yesterday I realized that I only have 11 more days of work at Agriculture Future of America and 15 days total. It is amazing how fast the time passed! As my internship comes to a close, I have realized the innate sense of pride I have developed for this organization. All of the writing and meetings have solidified AFA's critical mission in my mind. Having the opportunity to contribute to the personal and professional development of young leaders and re-branding agriculture has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you to everyone at AFA for believing in my ability and pushing my limits. I have learned so much from each one of you.

Yesterday I received the first proof of the 2008 AFA Annual Report!!! It felt like Christmas morning in July. It was incredible to see all of the pieces come together. After numerous drafts of content, multiple design meetings with Brian ("the design guy") and contradicting opinions from the AFA staff -- the report came together beautifully. It was certainly a lesson in patience, time management, teamwork, communication and compromise, but the final product would not have been the same without all of the hurdles. My take away lesson from this project is to soak up constructive criticism like a sponge, but have confidence in your abilities. It is so important to learn from other people -- most of the time you will emerge from the challenges with a better result.

I am interested to hear an important lesson you discovered this summer. Please post your responses via the comment link below.