From an early age, Sarah Baskins had in interest in agriculture. This interest accelerated when she became Merced College Agricultural Business Student of the Year. While studying for her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Studies and Economics at California State University, Stanislaus, Baskins had an important internship as an economist with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).
During this time, she co-wrote with two other ERS economists a publication titled, Unpacking the Growth in Per Capita Availability of Fresh Market Tomatoes. This publication focused on trends in the fresh-market tomato industry. It is still being used and cited today. “I use this publication as an educational tool at Merced Community College as part of my agricultural economics teaching curriculum,” said Baskins. She is an Adjunct Agricultural Business Instructor.
Baskins also obtained a Master of Business Administration degree at California Baptist University. She is currently employed as an Operations Analyst for AgIS Capital Investment where she handles research asset management for client investment portfolios and financial planning. “I use the knowledge and strategies that I obtained through my internship with ERS,” said Baskins.
Baskins participated in USDA’s Outlook Forum Student Diversity Scholar Program while attending California State University. Many USDA programs that support education and workforce development are Justice40 covered programs (PDF, 222 KB), which is a type of Federal program that falls within the scope of the initiative because it includes investments benefitting underserved communities. Justice40 is a whole-of-government initiative that works to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits to certain federal investments to underserved communities. Some of the investments that fall within the Justice40 Initiative include climate change, clean energy, and training and workforce development.