A student at Murray State University has been chosen as one of only 20 across the country to attend a national program in Virginia.

A news release from Murray State says senior agriculture business student Samantha Anderson will attend the United States Department of Agriculture Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program in Arlington, Virginia this Thursday and Friday.

Ms. Anderson was one of 20 chosen nationally based on her response to the essay topic, “Agriculture as a Career.” Her essay is posted on the USDA website as one of three examples.

Her writing features accounts of growing up on her family’s seventh-generation tobacco farm and how her family’s business has taught her about responsibility and learning from one’s mistakes. She also discussed today’s many options for those pursuing careers in agriculture and how they are no longer solely limited to production.

She is the only student from Kentucky chosen to attend and the USDA is funding her travel, lodging, meals and registration fee.

**

02/19/2013/am