Agricultural Scholars Program

Nominations have closed.

Program Overview

Farm Foundation, in collaboration with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), invites nominations for the 2026 Agricultural Scholars cohort—a 12-month, fully funded professional development program designed to inspire and train the next generation of agricultural economists.

Selected Scholars gain firsthand experience in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance, and related applied fields through year-long mentorship from an ERS analyst, while also building relationships with top economists, agribusiness leaders, and government officials.

Scholar Experience

During the year, up to five graduate students will:

Attend flagship events:

• Farm Foundation Round Table – Jan. 14–16, 2026 (El Paso, TX)
• USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum – Feb. 19-20, 2026
• AAEA Annual Meeting – July 26–28, 2026 (Kansas City, MO)
• WASDE/Capstone Trip (Washington, D.C.) – Oct./Nov. 2026, including USDA, Capitol Hill, agribusiness, and commodity group visits

Engage in mentorship and research:

• Partner with an ERS senior analyst for year-long mentoring
• Present capstone research to ERS economists and receive expert feedback
• Broaden professional networks:
• Participate in Farm Foundation Forums (virtual throughout the year)
• Meet senior executives across agribusiness and trade associations

Eligibility

• Nomination required: Students must be nominated by their college dean or department head.

• Academic status: U.S. citizens enrolled in a graduate program in agricultural economics or related applied sciences at an accredited North American university.

2025 Agricultural Scholars

Isaac Albores
Virginia Tech

Ivy Mackereth
West Virginia University

Caroline Roeder Helle
Montana State University

Joshua Strine
Purdue University

Kelsey Vourazeris
Arizona State University

Program Alumni

2025 Alumni

+–

Isaac Albores, Ivy Mackereth, Caroline Roeder Helle, Joshua Strine, Kelsey Vourazeris

2024 Alumni

+–

Kristiina Ala-Kokko, Kansas State University

Ian Bennett, University of Florida

Courtney Cooper, University of Arkansas

Elizabeth Crespi, Johns Hopkins University

Andre De Souza Coelho, University of the District of Columbia

Suhina Deola, Washington State University

Aisling Hagan, University of Tennessee

Rachel Judd, Texas A&M University

Clare McGrady, Michigan State University

William McWilliams, Virginia Tech University

Matthew Melchor, Kansas State University

Logan Moss, University of Arkansas

Mya Price, University of the District of Columbia

Nicholas Reynolds, Florida A&M University

Olivia Richard, San Diego State University

John Robinson, North Carolina State University

Lorin Rudin-Rush, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tyler Treakle, Arizona State University

Rebecca Weir, University of Minnesota

Katherine Westerman, University of Rhode Island

2023 Alumni

+–

Samantha Ayoub, Colorado State University

Kayla Braggs, Michigan State University

Ezra Butcher, Iowa State University

Harrison Clark, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Jahqethea Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Jack Long, Oklahoma State University

Inder Majumdar, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Evan McKay, Virginia Tech University

Jack Myers, University of Arkansas

David Nason, West Virginia University

Faith Parum, Texas A&M University

Sarah Smith, Texas State University

Jim Teal, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Anna Winton, Clemson University

Asamoah Zadok, Lincoln University of Missouri

2022 Alumni

+–

Lucy Asare-Baah, Tuskegee University

Micah Cameron-Harp, Kansas State University

Haden Comstock, Mississippi State University

Amber Dewitt, Purdue University

Carson Honse, Lincoln University of Missouri

Megan Hughes, Purdue University

Roberto Koeneke, University of Florida

Gloria Lenfestey, Purdue University

Xavier Miranda, Purdue University

Ashling Murphy, Kansas State University

Jose Quintero, Michigan State University

Kameron Shelby, Prairie View A&M University

Alicia Young, Oklahoma State University

2021 Alumni

+–

Andrew Anderson, Kansas State University

Shelby Brewer, Mississippi State University

McKenzie Carvalho, Mississippi State University

Brian Cornish, Auburn University

Matthias Kunerth, South Dakota State University

Naila McCraney, Florida A&M University

Noe Nava, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Zachary Neuhofer, Purdue University

Sarah Sellars, Purdue University

Nathanial Trull, Purdue University

2020 Alumni

+–

Hunter Biram, Kansas State University

Maggie Creamer, University of California, Davis

James Davis, University of Georgia

Tori Marshall, Oklahoma State University

Kaleiah Schiller, University of California, Davis

Tatiana Sierra, University of California, Davis

Heather Tenboer, Iowa State University

Jessica Wallach, University of California, Davis

Katie Welch, Clemson University

Next Generation