FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Maggie Jo Pruitt, a senior in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, has been named a 2013-14 campus ambassador for the Agriculture Future of America.

Pruitt, who is from Bergman and is majoring in agricultural education, communication and technology, is one of 16 students selected nationally by the group.

Her role will be to foster the non-profit’s relationships with students, faculty and staff. Agriculture Future of America is an organization providing leader development, intern support, encouragement, and leader and academic scholarships to students pursuing careers in the agriculture and food industries.

“It isn’t often I get to not only participate, but lead my peers in an organization like AFA,” said Pruitt. “Not many organizations are centered on the future leaders in the agriculture industry, and I am honored and thrilled to serve. This is the perfect organization for personal and professional growth. It is the best way to become personally connected with the agriculture and food industry, and build strong relationships with students and professionals nationwide.”

Pruitt, who is minoring in agricultural business and global agriculture, food and life sciences, serves as director of lectures on the Bumpers College Honors Student Board. A Bumpers College ambassador, she is a member of Kappa Gamma Sorority and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and volunteers at New Heights Church. Last year, she interned with the Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research in Belgium. She is interning with Scotland’s Rural College in Edinburgh this summer.

Agriculture Future of America Campus Ambassadors also help staff the organization’s Leaders Conference, held Nov. 7-10 in Kansas City. The event is group’s core leader development program and will draw more than 500 collegiate leaders from across the nation. More than 150 industry professionals will engage with Pruitt and her peers throughout the conference.

Pruitt’s entrance into the leader development program began her junior year of college when she was selected as part of the group’s Leaders Conference delegate. Since then, she has also participated in its Policy Institute.