Exploring Sustainability at the AFA Institute in Utah

Three Department of Agricultural Economics students traveled to the Ag Future of America (AFA) Sustainability Institute on February 9-11 in Salt Lake City, UT. During the three-day conference, the students attended the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Annual Conference, met with the United States Forestry Service and toured the Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Cooperative.

Sophomore Madison Clary (Agricultural Economics; Westfield, IN) stated, “I decided to apply for this particular AFA Institute because ‘sustainability’ is such a buzzword, and I wanted to learn why and what it was all about! It seems to create mixed feelings, and I knew AFA would be able to neutrally and concisely explain sustainability practices to me and let me form my own opinions!”

Junior Bryce Wright (Agribusiness; Fowlerton, IN) added, “I applied because I thought it would help me look at the agriculture industry from a different point of view.” Senior Kyle Bedel (Agribusiness; Evansville, IN) had similar thoughts, “I attended this particular institute because sustainability has taken over companies’ mission and vision statements, and I wanted to know what it really meant and how others see it in the agriculture industry.”

Wright shared, “My favorite part of attending this institute was experiencing a lot of firsts for me. For example, the Sustainability Institute was the first time I have ever flown commercially, the first time I have ever been to Utah and the furthest west I have ever been. Another great part of this institute was the networking I was able to do with new people and catching up with old, familiar faces from other AFA opportunities!”

Bedel summarized her experiences with AFA during her time as a Boilermaker: “AFA has given me more opportunities and experiences than I ever would have dreamed of. It has given me an internship with a Fortune 150 company and allowed me to meet and network with individuals from around the country.”