2018 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program Sponsorship

MEMORANDUM

FROM:             Eddie G. Gouge

Senior Associate Director, Federal Relations – Food and Agricultural Sciences
and Executive Director, CARET and the Board on Human Sciences, Inc.

DATE:               November 3, 2017

SUBJECT:        2018 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program

APLU has been asked to forward to you the following information:

The 2018 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program will be held on February 19-23, 2018.  The 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.  In an effort to increase the present and future diversity participation at the Forum, USDA created the Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program to provide sponsorship opportunities for junior and senior undergraduate and graduate students to attend this annual event.

The program is designed to expose students to contemporary agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and agricultural policy in today’s real world environment.  It targets 30 agriculture, agricultural business, agricultural economics, communications, nutrition and food science or pre-veterinary junior or senior and graduate students.  Student participants (20 undergraduate and 10 graduate) will be selected from Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture.

Students will travel to the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel located in Arlington, Virginia on Monday, February 19.  USDA will host a briefing and discussion about career opportunities on Tuesday, February 20.  Students will tour the Nation’s Capital on Wednesday, February 21 and attend the Forum on Thursday and Friday, February 22-23.  The program overview and application can be found at https://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/diversity/2018_Student_Diversity_Program_App.pdf

Undergraduate Selection Criteria: Students submit an application and one-page essay entitled “Agriculture as a Career” to their respective institution representative (i.e., academic dean or department chair).  Each institution performs a “pre-selection” process by choosing the final best two essays among the applicants.

Graduate Selection Criteria: Students submit an application and essay (two-page maximum) entitled “The Greatest Challenge Facing Agriculture Over the Next 5 Years” to their respective institution representative (i.e., academic dean or department chair).  Each institution performs a “pre- selection” process by choosing the final best two essays among the applicants.

Essay Submissions: Schools will submit applications and essays (for both undergraduate and graduate students) to Lisa Purnell (lisa.purnell@osec.usda.gov) along with individual letters of recommendation from the institution’s Academic Chair/Dean by Monday, December 1, 2017. (Two undergraduate positions and one graduate position are reserved for University of Maryland Eastern Shore students.)  Essays must include student’s name, major, and year in school.  Final selections will be made by Lisa Purnell, 1890 Program Liaison, USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in an academic institution as described under the Target section in the attached PDF at the time of application.

Travel Itinerary and Sponsorship: Students will arrive in Washington, D.C. Monday, February 19, 2018 and return home Friday, February 23, 2018. Registration, transportation and lodging are provided. Students are asked to bring resources to pay for their baggage fees (if applicable) and meals Monday and Tuesday, February 19-20, and lunch on Wednesday. Forum meals, along with Tuesday and Wednesday breakfast and dinner, are provided. The winners will be announced in January via the Forum website, press release and blog.

If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact Lisa Purnell at (410) 651-6313 or via email atlisa.purnell@osec.usda.gov.