By Andi Anderson
At NASDA’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, college students participating in the NASDA Foundation’s Next Generation Program had the unique opportunity to meet with key leaders from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Fourteen students from nine universities engaged in discussions with NASS Administrator Joe Parsons, Indiana State Statistician Nathanial Warenski, Western Field Operations Director King Whetstone, and NASDA’s Charlie Ingram and Josh King.
The meeting provided insights into the partnership between NASDA and NASS, as well as the importance of enumerators in collecting valuable farm data.
Since its launch in 2015, the NASDA Foundation’s Next Generation Program has introduced students to various careers in agriculture.
The program offers participants the chance to engage with industry professionals, state, and national leaders, giving them firsthand knowledge about agricultural and food systems.
By fostering connections and providing career insights, NASDA aims to support and nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The 2024 meeting also emphasized the wide range of career opportunities available within both NASDA and NASS. Leaders discussed how enumerators play a crucial role in gathering farm data, which is vital for agricultural planning and policy.
NASDA, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing agriculture departments in all U.S. states and territories, is committed to strengthening agricultural communities through policy, partnerships, and public engagement.
With programs like the Next Generation initiative, NASDA continues to inspire future leaders in agriculture.
For more details about the NASDA Foundation’s Next Generation Program, students and others interested can visit NASDA’s official website.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Indiana, General