Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the selection of 24 university students who will attend USDA’s 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum February 24 and 25. The Forum titled, “Today’s Strategies & Tomorrow’s Opportunities,” is USDA’s largest annual event and will be held this year in Arlington, Virginia. The finalists include students from Land-Grant, Hispanic Serving Institutions, American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources institutions who are the recipients of corporate and USDA sponsorship aimed at promoting the education of the next generation of agriculturalists.
The 24 university juniors and seniors majoring in agricultural-related studies were selected based on their essays, “Agriculture as a Career,” and recommendations from their deans.
“USDA’s Outlook Forum gives these students the opportunity to hear leaders describe their vision for the direction of agriculture’s future,” said Vilsack. “USDA in turn welcomes the next generation to learn so they might excel to even greater heights in their careers.”
USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture launched the Student Diversity Program in 2007 to help provide students with a unique insight into their agricultural studies. The University of Maryland – Eastern Shore partners with USDA to make the program possible. Additional sponsoring corporations and USDA agencies this year include CHS, Inc.; the Farm Credit System; Deere & Company; and USDA’s Economic Research Service.
Registration for the 2-day event is $375. Plenary speeches will be webcast after 6:00 p.m. EST on Feb. 24. Program details and registration information are available on our website.
