Allison Stiens, agribusiness management senior, is one of only 10 students nationwide to be selected to serve as a member of the Student Advisory Team for Agriculture Future of America.

AFA is a non-profit organization that prepares collegiate students to become professionals in agriculture and related industries through various opportunities, including the annual Leader’s Conference.

Stiens was informed in March of her selection.

“AFA really builds bridges between industry and students and allows them to grow professionally and personally,” said Stiens, who hails from Maryville, Missouri.

Stiens has been involved with AFA in the past and was selected for the national position after a rigorous interview process.

Aside from planning Leader’s Conference, which will be held from Nov. 1-4 in Kansas City, Missouri, and will reach around 800 students, Stiens will also serve as the campus representative for Mizzou. She will work to promote a relationship between AFA and MU students, staff and faculty. Stiens will also serve as an ambassador to industry, working with AFA’s numerous partners.

Stiens is looking forward to cultivating a relationship with the nine other Student Advisory team members and serving AFA students.

“This is giving me a lot of opportunities to build myself as a leader and as a teammate,” Stiens said.

Stiens, who is a 2015 graduate of Maryville High School and the daughter of Gary Stiens and Ann Stiens, said students interested in AFA should reach out to her via her email or apply to the Leader’s Conference on the AFA website.

Stiens said she encourages students to become involved in AFA because it not only helps students have an advantage as a professional in their future career, but also currently as a leader on campus.