Haylee Young, a standout student from Texas Tech University's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, has been selected as an Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team member, officials announced today (Jan. 12). Established in 1996, AFA is a leader and professional development organization for collegiate leaders and young professionals.

The junior from Teague, Texas, will serve as AFA's student voice, providing direction to the organization and its programming. "AFA Leader Development Programs not only give you the opportunity to network with top industry professionals, but develop genuine relationships with like-minded peers," Young said.

Young and the other 10 advisory team members were selected through a competitive application process to serve and represent their peers on a national level.

Program officials noted that a major component of the Student Advisory Team's responsibilities is the planning and delivery of the 2021 AFA Leader Development Program, specifically AFA Leaders Conference. Held Nov. 10-13 in Kansas City, Missouri, the event is AFA's core leader development program. More than 1,000 delegates from across the nation will be selected to attend.

Young's entrance into the AFA leader development programs began in 2019, when she was selected to attend AFA Leaders Conference. Since then, she has attended the conference again and served as a 2020 AFA Ambassador.

In addition to her involvement with AFA, she has also been active in other campus organizations, including Texas Tech University Ambassadors for Agriculture, Texas Tech University President's Select and Texas Tech University First Year Leadership Institute.

"AFA has already left a lasting impact on me, and I look forward to helping facilitate the impact our programs can have on other students," Young said.

CONTACT: Phillip Johnson, chairman and director of the university's Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-0474 or phil.johnson@ttu.edu

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