A Texas State graduate student is being recognized for their hard work and achievements by winning the USDA’s essay contest which examines the challenges the agricultural community faces.

Megan Holmes, a master’s student in the Agricultural Education Program at Texas State University, was chosen to attend the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum for student diversity. Homes is one of 10 graduate students nation selected to take part in the USDA program. The students had to write an essay over the topic “The Greatest Challenge Facing Agricultural over the next 5 years.” Only the top two essays from each institution were picked for the program. Holmes illustrates what were her emotions were like when being chosen for the program.

“It honestly feels surreal, because when I applied for the scholarship in the beginning, I wasn’t really thinking about the one in ten part. I was just applying for the scholarship because I knew it would a super good opportunity. Its something I wanted to jump on. Once they responded back to me it really hit that it was one in ten in the nation. I felt pretty honored.”
– Megan Holmes

The USDA’s 2014 Outlook Forum will take place in Arlington, Virginia this year and the program will run from February 20-21. Holmes discusses possible future solutions pertaining to the agricultural program and possible alternatives.

“Advocating and starting with the public schools systems or schools in general. Keep agricultural departments and teaching agi in high school. Starting in elementary school level to where kids are exposed to it and find interest to it at an early age. Have diverse opportunities students can take.”
– Megan Holmes

The USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum provides producers, policymakers, business, government and industry leaders with a unique opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and discuss issues that are at the forefront of America’s agriculture. The USDA’s student diversity program is designed to expose students to contemporary agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and agricultural policy in today’s real world environment.

Lorenzo Almanza, KTSW News