AFA Plant Science Institute 

Four students from the Department of Agricultural Economics traveled to the Ag Future of America (AFA) Plant Science Institute in Sacramento, CA, from July 19 to 21, 2025. During the 3-day conference, students interacted with industry professionals during networking sessions, listened to keynote speakers, asked questions during an executive panel discussion and participated in roundtable discussions.

Along with other participants, they were split into three tour groups and spent a day visiting a vast array of facilities. Sophomore Kenny Yamauchi (Agricultural Economics; Bryan, TX) visited Corteva, UPL and GrowWest. He shared, “Touring these sites allowed me to learn more about specific industries within agriculture and helps me ask better questions for potential employers in the future. The AFA Plant Institute was a great experience that focused on collaboration, critical thinking and networking! We participated in analyzing producer/supplier case studies and presented our findings to industry guests.”

Junior Kylie Saathoff (Agribusiness; Manteno, IL) added, “My favorite part of the AFA Plant Science Institute was definitely the tours. It was amazing to learn about California agriculture and to see crops and practices outside of the corn and soybean country that I am most familiar with. I had the chance to visit a melon production facility, John Kautz Farms Winery and Sohal Farms, a third-generation almond farm. Each stop gave me a new perspective on the diversity of agriculture and the challenges that producers face in different regions. As agriculture continues to evolve, it will take all sectors working together, and experiences like this broaden my understanding of how we can support one another.”

Senior Nathan Thompson (Agribusiness; Francesville, IN) reflected on the impact AFA has had on his time at Purdue, “I really enjoyed my AFA experiences because of the opportunities they provided to meet new people in the agricultural industry from all over the United States. Every time I have attended an AFA event, I have met great people and have had impactful conversations. I also enjoyed the industry tours at the 2025 AFA Plant Science Institute, as we gained a glimpse into grape, almond, walnut and cantaloupe production in the Central Valley. I believe the perspectives and connections formed from these conferences will be impactful for my lifetime.”