This summer, a fresh group of college students will make their way to Washington, D.C., becoming the 10th class to go through the Valent and American Soybean Association (ASA) Ag Voices of the Future program. The initiative is built to introduce young people who have ties to farming or a passion for agriculture to the world of policy and advocacy, with the goal of steering them toward careers that could shape agricultural policy at the state or federal level — whether in government, trade associations, or agribusiness.
Jeffrey Smith, associate director of industry affairs for Valent, explained why the program matters. “Today, legislative and regulatory policymakers at the Federal and state levels are many generations removed from the farm,” he said. “We believe the best way to ensure farmers maintain access to innovative crop protection and yield-enhancing tools is to encourage young leaders with a practical understanding of ag production to consider policy careers based in Washington, D.C. Valent appreciates the opportunity to partner with ASA to identify, develop, and direct these future leaders to have a positive impact on the issues facing soybean farmers and the crop protection industry.”
Smith first came up with the idea for the program back in 2016, working alongside Michelle Hummel on the ASA Industry Relations team to turn the concept into reality. Every year, the program is carried out through a close partnership between the ASA and Valent teams.
Students selected for the program receive close to three full days of training, which includes educational sessions, meetings with government agencies, and visits to Capitol Hill alongside their state soybean organizations. The program runs at the same time as ASA’s summer board meeting, giving students added chances to network through ASA meeting events, a Capitol Hill reception, and a dinner with program graduates who are currently working in Washington.
ASA President Scott Metzger, a farmer from Williamsport, Ohio, stressed the value of the program. “It’s important that young people have an understanding of the significant policy issues that directly impact the productivity and economic well-being of our farms and the soybean industry,” he said. “ASA appreciates Valent’s support of this valuable program that helps cultivate future voices for agriculture.”
ASA works with Agriculture Future of America (AFA), a well-regarded professional development organization for college students pursuing agriculture careers, to promote the program and handle the application process. Students can express interest through the AFA scholarship application. Each year, hundreds of applicants compete for just 10 spots selected by ASA and Valent.
The program’s first full day kicks off with an introduction to ASA — covering the organization’s policy priorities and leadership development opportunities. Valent USA then walks students through pesticide policy and the regulatory steps involved in getting crop protection products registered and approved.
Training continues with a Capitol Hill 101 session that prepares students for their congressional visits, explaining how Capitol Hill is structured and what to expect when sitting down with lawmakers and their staff. Additional guest speakers often include current Hill staff and members of ASA’s Government Affairs team, who share what it’s actually like to live and work in Washington and hold a congressional staff position.
The program also features a writing workshop led by West Wing Writers, a firm whose team includes former White House senior staff and speechwriters. The workshop helps students sharpen their writing abilities and develop strategies for communicating in a clear and persuasive way.
Following the workshop, participants attend a briefing on key ASA policy issues during the Soy Issues Forum portion of the ASA Board of Directors meeting — preparation for joining farmer leaders from their home state soybean associations on Capitol Hill visits the next day.
On the program’s third and final day, students visit USDA headquarters to meet with officials from the Office of Pest Management Policy. They also sit down separately with a representative from EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, gaining a broader understanding of how federal agencies influence agricultural pesticide policy and regulation.
Past participants say they leave the program equipped with knowledge, professional connections, new friendships, and real-world experiences to help guide their career decisions. And the program isn’t all work — students also get to explore D.C.’s monuments, museums, and restaurants when the day’s sessions wrap up.
Before heading home, students are encouraged to set up a LinkedIn profile and join the private Ag Voices of the Future alumni group, which serves as a gateway to internships and entry-level positions with agricultural organizations, agribusiness companies, congressional offices, and government agencies. Those opportunities are shared by ASA and Valent staff, as well as alumni who stay involved in supporting the program.
The 2026 Ag Voices of the Future program is set for July 13–16 in Washington, D.C. More details are available in the Education section of SoyGrowers.com.
Program graduates have gone on to land internships and permanent roles that influence policy across a range of agriculture organizations and companies, as well as professional staff positions for members of Congress and within USDA’s Washington headquarters.
Allie Lock, now a professional staff member for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry under Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, called the program a turning point. “Participating in the Ag Voices of the Future program was a defining experience in my career path,” she said. “The experience showed me the importance of ensuring producers are actively engaged in the policymaking process and sparked my interest in helping bridge the gap between those working in agriculture and those shaping policy. Those perspectives ultimately helped influence my career and continue to guide my work today.”
Clayton Elbel, now a program analyst in the Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, Energy and New Uses, in the Office of the Chief Economist at USDA, said the program opened his eyes. “Ag Voices of the Future really opened my eyes to crop protection and pest management policy and how the American Soybean Association is working to make our agricultural industry stronger,” he said. “The program’s emphasis on regulatory affairs influenced my choice to work for the USDA. Plus, it connected me with other students who were passionate about agricultural policy, and we’re still in touch today, working together in Washington five years later.”
Maria Brockamp, now Senior Manager of Government Relations with the National Milk Producers Federation, said the program helped set her on her career path at a critical moment. “Participating in the Ag Voices of the Future program helped confirm that I was interested in a career in agriculture policy someday at a time where I was at a crossroads in life as I headed into my freshman year of college,” she said. “The foundational advocacy skills I gained from the program still serve my skillset to this day, but of course, the thing I appreciated most was the authentic connections I made with my fellow classmates, the ASA and Valent staff, and the soybean farmers from my state who I joined for Hill visits. I gained lifelong friends, colleagues, and mentors from this program. I highly recommend that any student interested in a career in agriculture policy apply!” Before joining the National Milk Producers Federation, Brockamp spent nearly 18 months working for ASA on the State and Industry Relations team.
