Next Generation

Farm Foundation Cultivators

Nurturing and developing the next generation of industry leaders.

The January 2024 Cultivators

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Rachel Combs-Giroir
The Ohio State University

 

Awatif EL ABDELLAOUY - cropped

Awatif El Abdellaouy
Texas A&M University

 

Alayna Gerhardt (3) cropped

Alayna Gerhardt
Oklahoma State University

Kiara Ivy- cropped

Kiara Ivy
Florida A&M University

 

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Ashton Redd
University of Arizona

Ryanna Tietje - Cropped

Ryanna Tietje
The Ohio State University

About the Program

To help nurture the next generation of industry leaders, Farm Foundation selects six university students to attend each Farm Foundation Round Table meeting. Cultivators, who may be undergraduate or graduate students, are selected from a competitive pool of applicants from accredited North American colleges or universities.
Each Cultivator is connected with a Farm Foundation Round Table Fellow who acts as a mentor for the meeting, letting students know what to expect and making sure they are interacting with other attendees. Cultivators are expected to participate in all aspects of the meeting and present a poster representing a key aspect of their studies.
Students are nominated by their college dean or department head. Farm Foundation encourages the sponsoring institution to choose students who have a direct interest in the subject on which the Round Table meeting program will be focused. The January 2024 Round Table’s theme is “The Business of Farming: Resilience, Reality, and Return on Investment.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cultivator program?
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The Cultivator program provides awards for up to six undergraduate or graduate-level students from accredited agricultural programs in the United States to participate in a Farm Foundation Round Table meeting.

What is Farm Foundation?
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Farm Foundation is an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture. Our mission is to build trust and understanding at the intersections of agriculture and society. We accomplish this by leveraging non-partisan objective dialogue, information and training, catalyzing solutions and creating multi-stakeholder collaboration. Our vision is to build a future for farmers, our communities and our world. Since 1933, we have connected leaders across agricultural sectors–farming, business, academia, organizations and government.

What is Farm Foundation® Round Table?
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A program of Farm Foundation, the Round Table is an invitational group of agricultural leaders who meet semi-annually to discuss issues of importance to agribusiness, the food system and rural communities. The sessions are intended to provide ideas and a learning experience that participants may use in their own activities.

Who can nominate a student?
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Only a dean, director, or department chair from a participating institution can nominate a student for the Cultivator program. Farm Foundation encourages the sponsoring institution to choose students who have a direct interest in the subject on which the Round Table meeting program will be focused

What will the Cultivators be required to do?
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Students are expected to attend each Round Table session. They are expected to actively engage with Round Table participants throughout the meeting.

Importantly, Cultivators will be required to prepare a (1) brief (approximately 5-8 minute) presentation to be shared during the meeting and (2) prepare a related poster to be displayed throughout the meeting. During select meeting networking breaks, students will have the opportunity to discuss their posters and research with fellow attendees. Posters should be no smaller than 36’X24’ and no larger than 36×48. They will be affixed to a hard backing.

How will students meet Round Table participants?
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A Round Table participant will be assigned as a host/mentor for each Cultivator. Mentors will reach out to the students before the event to let them know what to expect, etc. During the meeting, Mentors will ensure that the Cultivators are meeting other Round Table members, students, speakers, and guests. They will also be introduced and integrated among the Round Table participants throughout the event.

How can I nominate a student?
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Only a dean, director, or department chair from a participating institution can nominate a student for the Cultivator program. Nominators or their designees should complete the online nomination form.

To nominate a student, please submit an online nomination form by Monday, October 23, 2023. Selectees will be notified by Monday, November 1, 2023, if they have been selected.

Please note: Contact information and a current resume/CV for the student will be required, in addition to a brief description of the student’s proposed presentation.

Additional Terms
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Students selected for the Cultivator Program will receive an award that will cover all hotel and registration expenses. The nominating university or college will be responsible for the student’s other travel expenses*, including flights, other transportation, and incidental travel expenses. If a selected student from a nominating school is unable to attend the Round Table for any reason, another student will be named in their place.

*For the January 2024 meeting, a $1,000 travel stipend will be provided to the selected student’s university department.

Past Cultivator Reflections 

I enjoyed all the [Cultivator] posters and the interaction with the Farm Foundation Round Table members. Their insightful questions and suggestions opened up new avenues and helped me think through my research.

I thought all the members were very inclusive and it was comfortable talking to all the members. I learned a lot over the three days and will definitely incorporate suggestions and comments on my way forward.

 

As a Cultivator, I found these discussions very interesting. It is a rare opportunity to interact with leaders of the industry as a student.