Farm Foundation has announced its 2024 Agricultural Scholars recipients. The annual program is sponsored in partnership with the USDA’s Economic Research Service.
Twenty applied economics or agricultural economics graduate students were selected to join the program for inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and other applied fields. This is the fifth cohort since the program began in 2020.
Among this year’s scholars is Clare McGrady, a Hillsboro native and 2016 Fountain Central High School graduate. McGrady is a second-year master’s student in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University. Her thesis project explores the role of sanitary and phytosanitary measures on trade balances in East Africa and the implications on producer welfare.
The Agricultural Scholars program includes events and projects conducted throughout the year, including a mentorship with an ERS senior analyst, a research project and participation in ag-focused forums and meetings, such as the USDA Ag Outlook Forum, AAEA’s Annual Meeting and Farm Foundation Round Table meetings.
“This is just an incredible group of students,” Jenna Wicks, program manager, said. “Thanks to ERS’ continued generous partnership we are able to create a year of landmark opportunities for these program participants which will set them on rare footing as they enter their careers.”
Prior to her selection to the 2024 Agricultural Scholar program, McGrady was chosen for the International Agricultural Internship Program, which gives graduate students a chance to gain first-hand experience working at one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service overseas post in U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Her three-month post was in Seoul, South Korea. While there she met with multiple commodity group delegations, attended meetings with Korean agribusiness leaders, analyzed trade data, wrote market analysis reports and updated commodity briefs for American producers interested in the Korean market.
McGrady earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2020. She is the daughter of Gary and Tina McGrady.
More information about each of the 2024 Agricultural Scholars and the program is available at the Farm Foundation website.
