Bustos Lauds $3.1 Million USDA Investment to Train the Next Generation of Agricultural Innovators
ROCK ISLAND – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a program that will invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Last week, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced the availability of $3.1 million to support a fellowship program for graduate degree (masters and doctoral) programs and postgraduate training of the next generation of policy makers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences.
“With agriculture being one of the top economic drivers for the state of Illinois, we need to do everything in our power to grow our agricultural economy and train the next generation of leaders in rural America,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “Earlier this month, I kicked off my 21st Century Heartland Tour to listen to the hard-working people in our region and learn more about the challenges facing families in rural America. I applaud the USDA for their investments in agricultural education and I will continue to support efforts to grow our agricultural economy and create good-paying jobs in our region.”
The program is designed to develop intellectual capital to ensure the preeminence of U.S. food and agricultural systems. This funding invests in experiential learning, including international experiences, for individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to NIFA’s mission.
Applicants should propose training projects to support graduate fellowships in a targeted expertise shortage area including: animal production; plant production; forest resources; agricultural educators and communicators; agricultural management and economics; food science, human nutrition and human sciences; sciences for agricultural biosecurity; veterinary sciences; food and agriculture data analytics and tools; and integrative biosciences for sustainable food and agricultural systems.
You can learn more about the fellowship program HERE.
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