Pittsboro student joins Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team
Sarah Thomas is motivated and determined to make a positive impact on the world. As a junior at Virginia Tech studying dairy science, the Pittsboro native is off to a good start.
From internships and work experiences to leadership and volunteer opportunities, Thomas pursues experiences that set her apart from her peers and prepare her to pursue a career in agriculture and food. Most recently, she was selected as an Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team member.
AFA is a leader and professional development organization for collegiate leaders and young professionals. Providing leader development, intern support and scholarships, AFA seeks to be a catalyst in the preparation of a new generation of agriculture leaders. Thomas and her fellow team members serve as AFA’s student voice, providing direction to the organization and its programming.
“So often, I see many of my peers sell themselves short on their ability,” said Thomas. “AFA essentially eliminates that gap between students and industry leaders so that students may discover and act on their passion. AFA highlights those opportunities and encourages students to take advantage of them.”
Thomas and the other nine team members were selected through a competitive application process.
“As an AFA student leader, I hope to be part of that community that spreads the word of opportunities to other fellow young agriculture enthusiasts. The world of agriculture is so intertwined, and it is my hope to be a catalyst in someone else’s journey,” Thomas said.
A major component of the Student Advisory Team’s responsibilities is the planning and delivery of the 2020 AFA Leader Development Program, specifically AFA Leaders Conference. Held Nov. 5-8 in Kansas City, Missouri, this event is AFA’s core leader development program and over 800 delegates from across the nation will be selected to attend. The Student Advisory Team kicked off the planning of Conference in January and continued it during a meeting with AFA’s Board of Directors at the end of February.
“I value my relationship with AFA because of the connections and opportunities it has provided for me,” Thomas said. “For example, I was able to connect with Cargill at the 2019 AFA Leaders Conference and was offered an internship with them just a few short weeks later. I am truly thankful for the networking and lifelong contacts I have developed through AFA.”
Thomas’ entrance into the AFA leader development programs began in 2019 when she was selected for AFA Leaders Conference.
She has also been active in other organizations including the Virginia Tech Dairy Club, Virginia Tech Dairy Judging, Sigma Alpha-Pi Chapter, Collegiate Young Farmers, College of Agriculture Ambassadors, Dairy Science Ambassadors, Beef Leaderhip Council, North Carolina FFA Association, National Junior Holstein Association, North Carolina Holstein Association and the Red & White Holstein Association.
National Work Zone Awareness Week April 20-24
RALEIGH — North Carolinians are urged to follow the governor’s stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but if you must travel, the NCDOT urges motorists use caution and avoid distractions, especially in work zones.
And just because fewer vehicles are on the roads, the DOT reminds drivers, it doesn’t mean it’s time to drive faster.
National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 20-24, and NCDOT wants to keep everyone safe as transportation projects under construction continue.
NCDOT urges drivers to: Stay alert and pay attention to signs, work zone flaggers and their equipment; avoid using mobile phones or changing radio stations; obey posted speed limits and don’t tailgate.