The 2024 USDA ERS/Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars recently completed their cohort year, presenting their capstone projects at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to USDA Economic Research Service staff during the second week of September.  

The group of 20 Ag Scholars presented on topics ranging from utility-scale solar energy, to labor markets, supplemental irrigation, and food loss and waste practices.  

After their presentations, the students met with USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Sanah Baig, USDA Chief Economist Dr. Seth Meyer, and met with the House and Senate Ag Committees.  

At the end of the week, the Ag Scholars also attended the September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Lockup. 

The 5th cohort’s productive year connected the students with their field of study in a deeply meaningful way and forged connections across the industry that will serve them well as they continue to develop as leaders.  

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The USDA ERS/Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars recently travelled to New Orleans to present their research at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting, held July 28 to 30, 2024.

Presentation topics included “Food Price Inflation Forecasting,” “Consumer preferences for Value-Added Foods from Black-Owned Food Companies,” and “Can Grocery Store Food Loss and Waste Reduction Practices Attract Shoppers?” among others.

Several Farm Foundation current program participants and alums won awards for their papers. These included Agricultural Scholar John Robinson of North Carolina State University, who won second place in the graduate student extension competition. January 2024 Cultivator Ryanna Tietje of The Ohio State University won second place in the undergraduate student paper competition.

The AAEA annual meeting brings together agricultural economists from around the world to discuss the biggest issues facing agriculture. The Agricultural Scholars were able to be part of those discussions, meet with USDA ERS staff, and learn about important research happening to improve agriculture.

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