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Students and Industry Leaders Program Launched

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3A new program looks to bring university students together with agricultural and food system industry leaders. Farm Foundation is launching the program that will allow six undergraduate and graduate students to spend two days at the January Farm Foundation Round Table, with some help in the form of an $8,800 grant from CHS Foundation.

“The opportunity to meet and visit with agricultural leaders is a valuable opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain insights into the industry,” says William Nelson, CHS vice president for corporate citizenship and President of the CHS Foundation. “This program is a good fit with the CHS Foundation focus on education and leadership development to build a strong rural America.”

The grant funds provided will cover expenses for six students to participate in the Farm Foundation® Round Table in Houston, Texas, in early January 2014. A Round Table member will serve as a mentor to each student, introducing them to other leaders and encouraging their participation in discussions. The students’ work will be highlight at a reception during the meeting.

“The Cultivators’ Program provides a link for students about to enter the work force to connect with the men and women leading agriculture and food businesses across the value chain,” explains Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin. “This academic-to-real world linkage allows students to see their potential role in the industry, and the opportunities ahead.”

The students picked for next month’s meeting in Houston, Texas are: E.M. Sajeev, a graduate student at Purdue University; Maci Lienemann and Ryan Hanousek, both undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska; Duminda A. Gunawardena and Luis Enrique Secaira, both graduate students at Texas A&M University; and Garrett Lister, a graduate student at Kansas State University.

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