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Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement


USDA 1890 National Scholar Connects Field Work with Academics

January 30, 2024 Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Jordyn Ash, a sophomore at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, is a USDA 1890 National Scholar studying plant and soil sciences. Ash applied to the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program during her senior year of high school. She recalls guidance counselors providing...

Equity Initiatives

E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Breaks Down Silos

January 23, 2024 Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Dr. Kalyani Maitra is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at California State University – Fresno, where she teaches and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. Last summer, she also became an E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Science Fellow.

Equity Initiatives

Hands-on Experience Helps USDA 1890 National Scholar Secure Permanent Position

January 16, 2024 Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

When Lauren Hawkins graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, she had a job waiting for her. Thanks to her participation in the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, she was hired right away as an agricultural engineer with USDA Natural Resources Conservation...

Equity Initiatives

Laser-Focused USDA 1890 National Scholar Builds Future with USDA

January 09, 2024 Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Kevin Poole, a recent graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), can remember the exact moment when he first learned about the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. It was during the spring semester of his junior year of high school. “A school administrator grabbed me at lunch...

Equity Initiatives

USDA 1890 National Scholar Balances Responsibilities

December 20, 2023 Carrie Knight, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Zakiah Goodlow, an Alabama native and sophomore at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (A & M), credits the USDA 1890 National Scholar Program and USDA liaisons with helping her balance her many responsibilities. “[They] encourage me to enjoy the program,” she said. “They check in with me...

Equity Initiatives

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program and USDA Liaisons Prepare Students for Their Future Careers

December 15, 2023 Melissa Blair, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Arionne Patterson has come a long way since learning about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program during a presentation hosted at her high school in Fresno, California. As a result of pursing her agricultural dreams and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program...

Equity Initiatives

Discovering Alternative Careers in Agriculture through the E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship

December 08, 2023 Marquita Bady, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

A longtime biology instructor at Yakima Valley College (YVC) in Washington state, Claire Carpenter works with YVC students throughout their undergraduate research. She has led small summer research projects and was interested in bringing more agriculture into both those projects and her classes.

Equity Initiatives Research and Science

2501 Grant Enhances Food Sovereignty Among Native Communities

November 30, 2023 Joyce El Kouarti, Communications Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Since 2017, FEED 7 Generations has worked to improve the health and wellness of Native people in the Pacific Northwest.

Equity Initiatives

USDA Offers Many Resources for Veterans

November 09, 2023 Dr. Lisa Ramírez, Director of the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), we understand the essential role that veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members can play in revitalizing and strengthening our agricultural industry. This is one of the reasons we provide a range of training resources and support...

Equity Initiatives

USDA Reasonable Accommodations Help Disabled Veteran Succeed with Federal Career

October 31, 2023 Melissa Blair, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Many veterans and military spouses search for careers that can accommodate their health and physical needs. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reasonable accommodations can be arranged to help employees succeed in the workplace.

Equity Initiatives
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