Meet Our Scholars
2025
Jaclyn Wilson
USA
Cattle husbandry techniques worldwide and how implementing educational programs can improve the beef industry.
Martin Chavez
CALIFORNIA
Workforce shortages in the agricultural industry
Devin Benish
IOWA
Mental health and self-harm prevention in agriculture
Emily Canepa
CALIFORNIA
How artificial intelligence can enhance precision agriculture
Zach Keeter
NORTH CAROLINA
Adopting user-friendly technology solutions in agriculture
Kristen Millican
TEXAS
Unlocking Value-Added Potential: Strategies for the Future of the Pecan Industry
2024
Ash Richards
USA
Making public land productive, municipal strategies to preserve farmland, and provide resources for sustainable urban agriculture
Hans Riensche
IOWA
Keeping the farm in the family: Understanding how families profitably, sustainably, and equitably build and transition multi-generational farming enterprises
Paul Windemuller
USA
How can AI be integrated into ruminant livestock production to make the industry more resilient into the future?
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Stephanie leads Grower Research, Education, and Communications for the Lodi Grape Commission. Stephanie studied global collaboration opportunities in viticulture, exploring how wine growers and scientists internationally can be best connected around sustainable viticulture research.
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Jessica investigated the potential for sheep-based economy in the USA. Jessica operates Kitchen Sink Farm with her family and they rotationally graze sheep on solar fields.
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Laura is an Associate State Legislative Director for the NC Farm Bureau Federation. Laura explored how agriculture issues are communicated and linked with policy makers.
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Easton serves as a Senior Account Executive with Amplify Association Management, a subsidiary of the Iowa Soybean Association. Easton studied global aquaculture to support the U.S. in scaling sustainable seafood supply chains.
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Patrick is Policy Director for the Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, a not-for-profit trade association with 3,000 producer members. Patrick studied the role of trade policy in achieving key sustainability outcomes in agriculture.
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Tom Merwin is a 4th generation wine grape producer in the Delta region of California. His study topic addressed the challenge of keeping family farms alive and well in California in the face of rising input costs, margin compression, dire drought conditions, increased regulatory pressures, and lucrative offers from corporations and institutions to sell their farms.
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Ruth McCabe serves as a Conservation Agronomist for Heartland Cooperative in Iowa. Her study topic investigated the potential of private sector incentives to encourage farmers to implement an array of conservation practices that would enhance soil health, fertility, and profitability.
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Raqueeb is an urban agriculturalist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh cooperative. She explored diversity and inclusion in agriculture for black farmers and how regenerative agriculture can help urban farms.
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Aaron is the Program Director for PASA, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. He studied the design and construction of strong, resilient local food systems, focusing on shortening supply chains. He and his wife operate a small farm and retail food business.
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Susan is a 6th generation farmer who wants to promote women in agriculture as a way to inspire and educate the next generation. Susan grows corn soy means wheat tobacco cotton and oats.
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Rose is an Environmental Specialist for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Rose also raises beef cattle. Rose’s study topic evaluated strategies to reduce water quality impacts of production agriculture.
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Susan operates a family farm and serves as the University of Delaware Extension Livestock Specialist. Her study topic connects to sustainable methods of animal agriculture production around the world, focusing on systems-based, holistic approaches to livestock production.
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Brian owned and operated a family dairy farm in Northeast Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University he served as an Ag Engineering Field Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. His study topic revolved around regenerative agriculture, the path to healing agroecosystems and feeding the world in the 21st century.
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Archie farms with his father, producing corn, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, and vegetables. His study topic evaluated transformational ways to sustainably plant, cultivate, and bring crops to market through innovation and advanced technologies.
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Originally from Pennsylvania, Jean is now an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Industries at Tarleton State University. Her study topic explored the public value of the Nuffield International Farming Scholars Program.
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Georgie is an organic poultry producer and Extension Poultry Specialist at the University of Delaware. Her scholarship focused on farming technologies and production efficiencies in the global poultry industry.