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Networking, Knowledge and Connections: WIA Student Scholars Check Those Boxes & More at WIA Summit

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (October 15, 2024)

 

The WIA Student Scholarship program provides funding, through generous sponsors, to allow students on the ag track – undergraduate, graduate and beyond – in universities and colleges around the country (and world as well!) to attend the annual three-day Women in Agribusiness Summit and enjoy mentorship and guidance opportunities. Last month’s summit in Denver saw 30 young women attend thanks to this program from schools ranging from Colorado State University to Cornell University to University of Bonn (in Germany). See also the full sponsor list below*.

 

The 2024 WIA Student Scholarship Recipients, Denver

The benefits of the program are many, such as making key industry connections, learning about the current trends and issues facing agribusiness today, and exploring different career options. Students also receive a one-year WIA Membership and are recognized at the event with an exclusive student-only breakfast and lunch and a workshop with industry executives.


Nearly 300 students have benefited from the WIA student scholarship program since its inception and dozens have secured job opportunities from connections made through the Summit.

 

Asked about the WIA experience, Sally Schmidt, a master’s degree candidate at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said, “My biggest takeaway was meeting like-minded people who wanted to improve themselves and their companies! It was great to meet and network with everyone. A big thank you to CF Industries for sponsoring me as I was able to learn from industry professionals, network, and have a ton of fun!”

 

See the full list of this year’s scholars and sponsors and read on to hear other students’ comments, which were posted on LinkedIn after the 2024 Summit:


Student scholar Marina Oliveira Lima (second from right) stands at SRB's booth at the 2024 WIA Summit, alongside SRB associates and WIA Event Director Carrie Vita (center).

“I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the Women in Agribusiness Summit, where I had the chance to connect with inspiring leaders, learn from cutting-edge industry insights, and participate in meaningful discussions about the future of agriculture.


A special thank you to CoBank for sponsoring my scholarship, and to the Sociedade Rural Brasileira | SRB for their support and trust in me to represent them at such an important event.


The summit was filled with inspiring sessions on sustainability, innovation, and leadership in agribusiness. The WIA Team really did an outstanding job bringing together such a diverse and powerful group of women in the industry.

 

I look forward to applying all that I learned and continuing to contribute to the growth of the agribusiness sector!” Marina Oliveira Lima, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Sponsored by CoBank


* * *

 

“I have met many inspiring and talented women leading the way in the agricultural industry. Being in a room filled with women who are supporting each other's growth is one of the best feelings an undergrad student like myself has experienced. The connections and kindness I was met with from the moment I stepped in the door were like no other. 


Emily Allen (far left) stands with fellow student scholars at the 2024 WIA Summit in Denver.

#WIA24 was not only warm and welcoming but also very informative. The breakout sessions included topics such as policy, animal disease, climate-smart Ag, etc. One of my personal favorite sessions was taught by Jacqui Fatka. She explained how agriculture can be a key component in decarbonization, showing the process step by step. She also attributed to the downsides, like farmers not having the incentive to plant cover crops - so why should they want to play a role - no additional revenue & is costing labor they don’t have! What’s the solution? This session really had me thinking! 


I am so happy to have been part of this experience, and I am already excited about next year's summit!” -- Emily Allen, University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis

 

* * *

Katie Alcarez, WIA student scholar, at the 2024 WIA Summit in Denver.

“This past week, I was blessed to have met supportive and passionate women in the industry I truly love, agriculture. I reconnected and met new industries that are making an impact in agriculture and have a major focus on sustainability, such as ADM (Yanyan Huang) with a mission of zero waste, and PTx Trimble helping farmers with their equipment in software.


One of my favorite sessions from this conference was from Mary Thatcher, Senior Manager, Federal Government and Industry Relations at Syngenta. In this session, I connected the dots of what I have learned in my ARE 433 US Agricultural Policy course to real life. In this session, I realized that with the new farm bill coming up, how our upcoming election can have a huge factor. 


Thank you Women in Agribusiness and PTx Trimble for this opportunity. 

 

“No farmers, no food. We feed the world.”- Sharon K. K. Beals -- Katie Alcarez, North Carolina State University, Sponsored by PTx Trimble

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Victoria Higdon, WIA student scholar, looks on as Dr. Temple Grandin of CSU, autographs one of her latest books at the WIA Members Only Night Out event at the 2024 WIA Summit in Denver.

“I had an incredible time at the Women in Agribusiness Summit in Denver, Colorado. This week was filled with insightful panel discussions, engaging breakout sessions, and valuable networking opportunities.


A highlight was meeting Dr. Temple Grandin at our Members Night Out and previewing her documentary, “An Open Door."


”I am truly grateful for this opportunity and thankful for the support of my sponsors, Kearney.” -- Victoria Higdon, Texas A&M University, Sponsored by Kearney

 

* * *

 

Student scholar Srishti Gupta (left) stands with fellow students at the 2024 WIA Summit.

"Know your worth."


“These were some of the powerful words of wisdom shared during an inspiring panel at #womeninagribusiness this past week.I’m honored to announce that I was awarded the #WIAS24 Student Scholarship, sponsored by US Nisshin Shokai Inc. The three-day conference was filled with inspiration, energy, and empowering stories from amazing 1000+ women in the agriculture industry!

 

I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to network with such talented professionals who are shaping the future of agri-business. -- Srishti Gupta, Colorado State University, Sponsored by US Nisshin Shokai 

 

* * *

 

“Had the honor of attending Women in Agribusiness Summit this past week. A big shoutout to Smithfield Foods and MANRRS for making this possible!

Student scholar Jannai Oganeku (right) stands with fellow students at the 2024 WIA Summit.

I was able to connect with so many incredible women and learn so much about the amazing work that is being done in the agriculture industry. So proud to be a woman in ag and so grateful to be in the same room as all of you!


Also, if you’re not twinning with your CEO, what are you doing?” -- Jannai Oganeku, Colorado State University, Sponsored by Smithfield

 

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*Thank you to the 2024 WIA Student Scholarship Sponsors (note: some companies sponsored more than one student):

 

o   ADM

o   AgReserves

o   Bunge

o   Cargill

o   CF Industries

o   CoBank

o   Cover Cress

o   Emerging Ag

o   Five Rivers

o   FPL Foods

o   HighQuest Partners LLC.

o   Kearney

o   Moore & Van Allen

o   Manulife Investment Management

o   Nuveen

o   PTx Trimble  

o   Smithfield

o   U.S. Dairy Export Council

o   US Nisshin Shokai

o   Wilbur-Ellis

 

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Do you have a story you'd like to contribute to WIA Today? Or a suggestion for a story, or comments about an article? Please reach out to Michelle Marshall at mmarshall@womeninag.com and share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you.

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