Madisen, Jade, and Madison at the AFA policy institute

From Capitol Hill to Industry Insights: Experience at the 2024 AFA Ag Policy Institute 

Three Department of Agricultural Economics students were selected to attend the 40-student Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Ag Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 8 – 10! The three-day conference allowed students to ask questions during the Policy Perspectives Panel, tour a wide breadth of industry locations, engage with policy leaders during meals and networking sessions, visit Capitol Hill, learn about policy careers during roundtable discussions and hear about the state of the ag, food and natural resource policy industry during speaker sessions.

Sophomore Madison Clary (Agricultural Economics; Westfield, IN) shared, "During my time in Washington, D.C., I gained hands-on experience in how agriculture is advanced through legislation. From roundtable discussions to networking dinners with industry professionals, I expanded my network and deepened my understanding of political processes. I also had the opportunity to tour the USDA and the American Farm Bureau Federation, as well as broaden my horticultural knowledge at the Botanical Gardens. I would like to thank AFA for this invaluable experience and extend my gratitude to my fellow delegates for making it truly memorable."

Madisen, Jade, and Madison at the Washington Monument

Junior Jade Larrison (Agribusiness; Grand Haven, MI) added, "At the AFA Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., I was able to learn from professionals in the agriculture policy space who taught us about how policy decisions can impact people's everyday lives. I took tours at the Agricultural Retailers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, where I was educated on how these associations take the wants and needs of producers and lobby for real policy changes. Seeing the beauty of our nation's capital and how farmers are being represented by hardworking people gives me so much hope for the future, and I can't thank AFA enough for this amazing experience!"

Junior Madisen Carns (Sales and Marketing; Indianapolis, IN) concluded, "AFA Policy Institute was an incredible way to see how people are "boots on the ground" advocating for policy issues that impact our industry. I got to see the behind-the-scenes work of the Agriculture Retail Association, The Fertilizer Institute, Crop Life MidAmerica and the National Beef Cattlemen's Association. It was also just such a fun time to be able to explore our nation's capital while visiting some museums and monuments I had never seen before. AFA really strives to include perspectives from many career areas in D.C., making it a conference that anyone can learn and benefit from!"