USDA Agriculture Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program Conference Call The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics C-FARE Conference Call Notes from September 27, 2013
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Provides producers, policymakers, business, government, and industry leaders with a unique opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss timely issues at the forefront of America's agriculture. The Student Diversity Program In an effort to increase the present and future diversity of participation in the Forum, USDA created the Diversity Program to provides sponsorship for selected students to attend this annual event. The USDA Outlook Forum Diversity Program is designed to expose students to contemporary agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and agricultural policy in today s real world environment. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 8 th. 2014 Agricultural Outlook Forum will be held Feb. 20-21 in Arlington, Virginia, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel.
Benefits of the Diversity Program Full Conference Registration Housing Meals Transportation Networking experiences Identifying the 1st steps for exploring employment with USDA Tours of USDA Facilities Access to Career-Building Activities
Submission Criteria Junior-senior baccalaureate (up to 20 undergraduates will be selected) -Step 1: Students first submit their one-page essay titled Agriculture as a Career to their respective institution representative (i.e., academic dean/department chair/professor). -Step 2: Each institution performs a pre-selection process by choosing the final best two essays among the applicants selecting two undergraduate students. Graduate student (up to 10 graduate students will be selected) -Step 1: Students first submit their essay (2-page maximum) titled The Greatest Challenge Facing Agriculture Over the Next 5 Years to their respective institution representative (i.e., academic dean/department chair/professor). -Step 2: Each institution performs a pre-selection process by choosing the final best two essays among the applicants. Essays must include student s name, major, year in school, address, phone number, and e-mail using the application.
Essay/Application Tips The 2014 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program website includes the announcement and application. Also, please look at the website and see the example essays. Do submit your application through your department (inquire about internal deadlines). Make sure that your letters of recommendation are strong (not form letters). Be aware that if you win, you will miss classes for one week plan ahead. Diversity has a broad definition. Do not let the definition of diversity prevent you from applying. Make sure that you plan time for your mentors and peers to review your essay before submitting it. Talk about personal observations, experiences, passions, and aspirations in your essay.
Thank you USDA Speakers! Ms. Lisa Purnell, USDA/1890 Program Liaison, Office of Advocacy and Outreach Mr. Antonio McLaren, USDA/1890 Program Liaison, Office of Advocacy and Outreach Dr. Harry S. Baumes, Director Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of the Chief Economist
About C-FARE The Council on Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics (C-FARE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the national presence of the agricultural economics profession. C-FARE's governing board includes prominent agricultural economists representing a wide range of public and private sector interests. C-FARE s Mission To be a widely-recognized organization which helps agricultural economists contribute to private and public sector decision making on issues important to agricultural, rural, environmental, food safety and other related societal issues.
C-FARE s Student Program Sponsors The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association Trust (Trust) is the non-profit fundraising arm of AAEA. The Trust supports the work of agricultural and applied economists by funding programs and initiatives designed to advance the profession. http://www.aaea.org/trust The mission of the National Association of Agricultural Economics Administrators (NAAEA) is to improve the leadership and management of agricultural economics programs; to support the acquisition of resources to carry out agricultural economics research, teaching, and extension programs; and to address common needs and concerns of agricultural economics administrators. Membership in the NAAEA includes individuals who administer departments or units in academia, public agencies and foundations offering and supporting agricultural economics, resource economics, agribusiness management and similar research, teaching, and/or Extension programs. The purposes and objectives of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association shall be to foster the study and understanding of agricultural economics and its applications to problems in the Southern United States; to promote unity and effectiveness of effort among all concerned with those problems; to promote improvement in the professional competence and standards of members; to cooperate with other organizations and institutions engaged in similar or related activities; and to increase the contribution of agricultural economics to human welfare. www.saea.org