The AFA Leader in Agriculture Award is presented annually to two individuals who have made significant contributions within the food and agriculture industry and have a record of supporting career and leader development for young men and women in agriculture. Each award honors an individual whose accomplishments, personally and professionally, distinguish him or her as a mentor to young leaders in the agriculture industry.
This award is presented during the Leader in Agriculture Award Dinner. This event coincides with the annual AFA Leaders Conference each year. Over 900 top global leaders, students and supporters of agriculture will be in attendance to celebrate our industry and network with peers.
The 2017 AFA Leader in Agriculture Award recipients, AG Kawamura and Joel Mathiowetz, will be recognized on Friday, Nov. 3 during the AFA Leader in Agriculture Award Dinner.
I’m extremely humbled to be selected as the first AFA Young Leader in Agriculture Award. AFA changed my perspective of agriculture in 1998 when I was a college student and attended the Leaders Conference. I seen how building my skills and networking with other would open new opportunities for me in the future. I’m excited to pass the AFA experience along with students in Redwood and Renville County MN and believe AFA can help them become leaders in their respective communities just as AFA helped me.