Twenty-four university students will attend USDA’s 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum Feb. 23-24. The students are the recipients of corporate and USDA sponsorship aimed at promoting the education of the next generation of agriculturalists. The Forum titled, “Moving Agriculture Forward,” is USDA’s largest annual event and will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. “USDA welcomes the next generation to participate in the Forum so they might see opportunities to excel to even greater heights in their careers,” said Secretary Vilsack.
This year, sponsoring corporations and USDA agencies include: CHS, Inc.; Farm Credit; USDA’s Economic Research Service, Agricultural Research Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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. To view the names of the winning students and several of the winning essays, please go to: http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/diversity/diversity_program.htm
To view the Forum program, please go to: www.usda.gov/oce/forum.
Brenda Chapin, 202-720-5447