Project summarya. Enhancing leadership in agriculturaleconomics: a comprehensive fellowship program integratinginternational experience and industry mentorshipb

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Division received a $205,000 Project Grant awarded September 1, 2025, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) Higher Education National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants program (CFDA 10.210). The award supports a comprehensive graduate fellowship program designed to train five Master of Science students in agricultural economics and commodity marketing through the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Led by Principal Investigator Nathan Kemper and co-investigators from the university's agricultural economics and human development departments, the program addresses a targeted national need for expertise in agricultural management and economics.

The fellowship program delivers integrated training combining rigorous academic coursework with hands-on internships at industry-leading commodity marketing firms and international educational experiences. Participants will pursue either a domestic Master of Science degree or a dual degree through partnerships with five European universities, with emphasis on grain and commodity merchandising expertise. The award includes structured mentorship from industry professionals leveraging the university's established connections, professional development workshops, and measurable outcomes including successful degree completion and leadership placement within the commodity marketing industry. The five-year project period extends through August 31, 2030, with fellows receiving support over their two-year Master's degree completion timeline.

Investigators and institution: nathan kemper (PD) department of agriculturaleconomics and agribusiness university of arkansas - fayetteville; jacquelyn D.mosley (CO-PD) school of human development and family sciences university ofarkansas division of agriculture; andrew mckenzie (CO-PD) L. Lanier nalley (CO-PD) brandon R. Mcfadden (CO-PD) and RON rainey (CO-PD) department ofagricultural economics and agribusiness university of arkansas division ofagriculturec. Targeted expertise shortage area: agricultural management and agriculturaleconomicsd. Agricultural marketing and management (includes agricultural economics) code: me. Five master's of science studentsf. Zeroabstractthis project integrates the master of science (MS) program in the department of agricultural economics and agribusiness (UA-AEAB) at the university of arkansas (UA) to train five students for careers in commodity marketing. The primary goal is to address agricultural leadership positions by equipping five national needs fellows (NNFS) with essential skills in grain and commodity merchandising through 1) a domestic MS degree or 2) a dual MS degree from UA and five european universities. Major activities include rigorous coursework hands-on internships with industry-leading firms and participation in international programs to enhance global perspectives. NNFS will engage directly with professionals in commodity marketing benefiting from UA-AEAB's strong industry connections. The project aims to provide comprehensive training in commodity marketing and foster innovation in the agricultural sector. Training plans include detailed mentorship professional development workshops with measurable targets such as successful completion of degrees internships and leadership roles in the industry within the specified timeline. This initiative aligns with NNF program goals by enhancing leadership in agricultural economics to strengthen the agricultural economy and promote innovation. The anticipated national impact includes innovative approaches in commodity marketing and strengthened collaborations addressing critical expertise shortages in agricultural management commodity marketing and agricultural economics.