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 NextGen students at USDA Headquarters with Secretary Tom Vilsack and Under Secretary Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young. USDA photo by Tom Witham.
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    Students Growing from Learning to Leading
    
  March 6, 2024SharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
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  Kendyl Barney, Social Scientist Specialist

  Recently, students from 17 academic institutions traveled from more than 10 states and Insular Areas to Washington, D.C. to participate in a three-day program as part of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s *from Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals* (NextGen) program.

  Dr. Manjit Misra shares stories with NextGen students at the Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA Photo by Tom Witham.

Dr. Manjit Misra shares stories with NextGen students at the Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA Photo by Tom Witham.In 2023, NIFA awarded more than $262.5 million for 33 projects across 24 states and Insular Areas with the goal of enabling institutions to train and support students to build the next generation of the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences workforce, including the future USDA workforce.Participating 1890 Land-grant Institutions, 1994 Land-grant Institutions, Alaska Native-serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, and institutions of Higher Education located in the Insular Areas are leading projects that include providing student scholarships, experiential learning and outreach and engagement activities.NIFA’s NextGen team partnered with USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area leadership; the Agricultural Research Service’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC); and USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) to bring 44 NextGen students to the National Capital Region. Undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students traveled from as far as Hawaii and Guam, representing universities as well as community, junior and tribal colleges.Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres-Small and Deputy Under Secretary Sanah Baig during a roundtable conversation with NextGen students. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.

Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres-Small and Deputy Under Secretary Sanah Baig during a roundtable conversation with NextGen students. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.During the visit to USDA headquarters, students heard from USDA Undersecretary for REE and USDA Chief Scientist Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, REE Deputy Undersecretary Sanah Baig and NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. Speakers shared stories about belonging and leadership potential, spoke about their own career paths to USDA and emphasized the array of opportunities available at USDA for students from a variety of disciplines. During the morning session, students also engaged in a communications training.Undersecretary Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young interviews NextGen students at the Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.

Undersecretary Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young interviews NextGen students at the Agricultural Outlook Forum. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.In the afternoon, the students attended USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) release of the 2022 Census of Agricultural data where they heard USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack discuss the need to recruit and train the next generation of agriculture professionals. Later that day, the group had an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and see themselves as part of USDA through a conversation with USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres-Small and Deputy Undersecretary Baig.The following day, students toured the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) BARC facilities in Beltsville, Maryland. Students met ARS professionals and toured the Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Bee Research Laboratory, Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, and Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center.After, students visited the National Agricultural Library where they learned about online access to agricultural literature and the artifact collections they curate. These collections tell the deep stories of agriculture and show the opportunities to contribute to its advancement. On final day of the program, NextGen students attended the 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum where they participated in several sessions and workshops. In the “How to Tackle the Biggest Challenges of Our Time” session, Undersecretary Dr. Jacobs-Young interviewed Crystal Salazar-Nieto, a sophomore Nextgen student at California State University, Monterey Bay. Salazar-Nieto spoke about growing up in a farming community and learning from a young age how to support her parents in USDA certification processes. Dr Jacobs-Young then interviewed Dr. Rajiv Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, who challenged the students to dream bigger and be prepared to take on those challenges.Justin Wilken, a senior at San Diego State University, practices an elevator pitch. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.

Justin Wilken, a senior at San Diego State University, practices an elevator pitch. USDA Photo by Ganjofarid Anvarzod.At the end of the third day, NIFA Associate Director for Programs Dr. Dionne Toombs addressed the students and moderated a panel of USDA Leaders, who shared what changes they see in their fields and spoke to what skills the students should hone to be competitive in their respective agencies.NextGen students tour ARS BARC’s Bee Research Laboratory. Photo courtesy of Dr. Carlos Ortiz, NIFA.

*NextGen students tour ARS BARC’s Bee Research Laboratory. Photo courtesy of Dr. Carlos Ortiz, NIFA.*To conclude the session, students had the opportunity to take the mic and address the room, ask questions, and reflect on their week together. Following, Steffan Kinley, a master’s student at Northwest Indian College (NWIC) and participant in NWIC’s NextGen program, introduced Deputy Secretary Torres-Small at the Agricultural Outlook Forum “Celebrating Women in Ag” Reception.Many students gave positive feedback on the week’s events, sharing that their week in D.C. contributed to their professional development and motivated them to pursue internships and careers at USDA. Students from University of Guam—both of whom are first-generation college students and traveled more than 20 hours to participate in the event—shared how the experience opened their eyes to many different possibilities for their futures.“After three days of intense programing and countless weeks of planning, it is reassuring to see students becoming aware of their own potential and the opportunities available to them at USDA and in the agricultural sector,” said Dr. Carlos Ortiz, NIFA’s national program leader managing the NextGen Program. “NextGen seeks to support students’ development ‘From Learning to Leading’ to ensure the American food and agricultural enterprise is resilient. Based on this year’s student cohort, I can see the future is bright and the next generation will be prepared to lead.”

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