Rubbing elbows and engaging in discussions with elected officials, agricultural industry leaders or policy makers would be intimidating for many, but not for Phillip Harris and Thaddeus Chapman, both students in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) at Prairie View A&M University. Instead, this experience left these two students wanting more.

Phillip and Thaddeus represented CAHS in Washington, DC for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 92nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The theme “Transforming Agriculture: Blending Technology and Tradition” implored students and those in the agricultural field to invest in the challenges and opportunities of agriculture as rural America changes.

This theme enhanced the technological component of agriculture as it is rapidly opening new applications for producers. Agriculture in America is changing, and the change is not limited to farming methods. As such, the U.S. agricultural industry is being transformed by an increasing number of those from non-traditional backgrounds; so, as agriculturalists examined the supply chain and emerging markets for U.S. commodities, USDA proactively sought innovative ways to expand the scope of opportunities and support for America’s farming families.

Harris, who is pursuing a degree in agriculture with a concentration in economics, says the Outlook Forum exposed him to people and opinions he had never encountered before. “The experience throughout the program was a remarkable one. I got the chance to see a different point of view and how other universities provided avenues for their students majoring in the agricultural related fields. I enjoyed all the networking with other students and we stay in touch through GroupMe.”

Chapman, an agriculture major with a concentration in animal science and a proud member of “The Marching Storm,” says the Outlook Forum was great because it gave him a chance to network with professionals from all agricultural sectors and understand how policy is enacted. “I learned about the importance of integrating technology in agriculture from all viewpoints—policymakers, the middleman, and producers. I also gathered from this Forum that today’s problems in agriculture can be solved if all parties come together and address the pressing issues as a whole.”

Harris and Chapman were among 30 university students (20 undergraduate and 10 graduate) chosen based on their “Agriculture as a Career” essays. The USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program was established in 2007 and is sponsored annually by CHS, Inc. and Farm Credit.

Kelley Redmon

 

Kelley Redmon
Communications Specialist
karedmon-williams@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5009