Higher Education in the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Disciplines: Bringing Industry, Government, NGOs and Higher Education Together to Build an Inclusive and Diverse Agricultural Workforce

Please join APS on March 9th from 2-4 p.m. (3-5 p.m. Eastern) for a discussion with leaders from industry, academia, and non-profits for a discussion on building a diverse and inclusive agricultural workforce. As a continuation of our series focused on aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the food, agriculture, and natural resources disciplines, we have partnered with leaders from Together We Grow, a consortium of modern food and agriculture companies, NGOs, members of academia and the government who have united to focus on building a skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce in American agriculture. Kristin Kirkpatrick, the CEO of Together We Grow, will co-lead two panels of experts with Pamala Morris of Purdue University and Quentin Tyler of Michigan State University. I hope you or others from your college are able to join us for this event. 

3:00-3:05: Welcome
Tracy Dougher, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Montana State University

3:05-3:15: Together We Grow
Kristin Kirkpatrick, Executive Director, Together We Grow

3:15-4:00: Early Pipeline Efforts
Panelists: Dr. Ronda Hamm, Global Academic Relations Leader, Corteva Agriscience, Ebony Webber, Chief Operating Officer, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS), Dr. Ben West, Director of Corporate Strategic Partnerships, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and UT Foundation & Founding Director of Lone Oaks Farm

Co-Facilitation: Kristin Kirkpatrick, Executive Director, Together We Grow and Dr. Quentin Tyler, Associate Dean and Director for the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Michigan State University

4:00-4:15: Break

4:15-5:00: Industry As a Partner
Panelists: Melanie Moore, Senior Director-Innovations Strategy Lead for Human Resources, Bayer, Lisa Mooney, Global Lead, Sustainability and Strategic Inclusion, Nutrien, Philomena Satre, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion and External Strategic Partnerships, Land O’Lakes & Debra Vernon, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tyson Foods

Co-Facilitation: Kristin Kirkpatrick, Executive Director, Together We Grow and Dr. Pamala Morris, Assistant Dean/Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs, College of Agriculture, Purdue University