As summer approaches, we are excited to welcome a new group of interns joining us here at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is a time when many talented students come to put their coursework into practice and gain valuable insights into the career opportunities within our Department.  

Each intern brings a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, unique experience, and enthusiasm to the table. As experienced professionals, we have the grand opportunity to mentor and guide these bright minds, to shape their futures and foster a positive learning environment.  

I encourage each one of you to extend a warm welcome to the USDA interns you encounter. Introduce yourself! Be open to answering questions and providing guidance. Include them in meetings and events activities. By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we contribute to their professional development and help create a strong foundation for their future careers. This type of engagement not only benefits the interns, but also cultivates an environment of collaboration and growth for all of us.  

Thank you for your support and for making our interns feel at home. Together, we can make their summer experience at USDA truly memorable and impactful and inspire the next generation of USDA professionals! 

I also want to highlight the importance of Juneteenth and its significance at USDA. As an organization committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, USDA recognizes and honors Juneteenth as an integral part of our history. Observing Juneteenth allows us to reflect on the progress we have made as a society while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to achieve true racial equity. 

At USDA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth, we reaffirm our commitment to equality and justice for all. 

USDA Welcomes 14 Interns from Migrant and Farmworker Backgrounds

This summer 14 students from agricultural migrant and farmworker backgrounds will take part in paid 10-week internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. The HEP/CAMP internship program is coordinated by USDA’s OPPE in partnership with the National HEP/CAMP Association and funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout the summer, interns will gain work experience and learn about career opportunities available with USDA.

USDA Welcomes CAPAL Interns to DC

Earlier this month, USDA welcomed 20 undergraduate and graduate student interns from the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) to Washington, DC. Interns learned about the mission and work of USDA and met with Department officials and staff. Of the 20 interns, 13 are interning with USDA: Six with the Forest Service, three with Agricultural Research Service, three with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and one with Natural Resources Conservation Services. The remaining interns will work with other federal agencies and nonprofits. 

CAPAL public service intern assignments cover a range of policy or scientific research, project coordination and management, business, law, communications, and more. All internships include a stipend.

$22 Million is Available to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers through the 2501 Program

USDA recently announced approximately $22.3 million available through USDA’s 2501 Program to community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education and Tribal entities that help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions.

Applications must be submitted through grants.gov and received by Friday, July 5, 2024. Learn more through the upcoming webinar on June 26 at 2 pm EDT.

USDA 2501 Program Supports Hmoob Farmers

The Hmoob are an ethnic group primarily from China and Southeast Asia who are essential contributors to local food systems in Wisconsin, but their access to government programs and assistance has been limited by language, funding awareness, and the ability to connect for peer sharing. A 2501 Program grant enabled the Groundswell Conservancy to help Hmoob farmers access USDA programs, reach additional markets, and get support from university extension divisions, agricultural lenders and peers.

Veteran Finds Healing and Prosperity Through Beekeeping with USDA Grants

North Carolina veteran farmer Jim Hartman embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of the honeybees he tends to. Frequent communication with the USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison and multiple USDA grants enabled him to build a successful bee-keeping business. His success stems from his proactive approach of seeking out government funds. “Eighty percent of your money is made in the paperwork,” he said.

OPPE Hosts the National FFA Officer Team

The National FFA Officer Team recently spent time at USDA Headquarters visiting with employees from the Office of Tribal Relations, National Agriculture Statistic Service, and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. They also had the opportunity to meet with USDA Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small.

The National FFA Officer team is made up of six college-age students from various regions of the country who take on their positions for the full year. With nearly a million members nationwide, the National FFA Organization is an American non-profit career and technical student organization that offers middle and high school classes promoting agricultural education.

Secretary Vilsack signed a renewed MOU with FFA at the National FFA Convention in November 2023. This MOU renewal is designed to support the common goals of USDA and FFA in developing a highly prepared workforce for careers in agriculture.

USDA Hosts NextGen Student Summit

As part of USDA’s NextGen program, 115 students from minority-serving institutions recently spent two and a half days in Washington, DC learning about USDA agencies and employment opportunities. NextGen was created to open the doors of opportunity to students from minority-serving institutions to learn about, experience, and begin building a career at USDA. This cohort is a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees at 1890 Land Grant institutions, 1994 Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, as well as those in the Insular Area (Puerto Rico) who are pursuing degrees in agriculture.

Weekly Briefings on Avian Flu

Do you work with farmworkers? Register to attend weekly briefings on avian influenza on Fridays at 4 pm ET. Hosts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be joined by subject matter experts from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Meet Dr. Tiffany Franklin

In my current role as a USDA liaison at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I enjoy helping students work toward and realize their full potential personally, academically and professionally.  This is accomplished through consistent mentoring, advisement and fostering meaningful partnerships to provide professional development opportunities. Every day is a new opportunity to learn, and I encourage my students to do the same. I want to ensure each student and citizen in my service areas has adequate access to the USDA resources that can help them reach their full potential.

Twenty-eight years ago, I began my career as a recreational therapist and case manager in youth development services and rehabilitation throughout the Southeast. Along the way, many people called me crazy for working with “the bad kids.” My response was: Change comes from within, and it is my personal goal to make sure they see that they are good. If I can change one student’s life for the better, I have done my job. My experiences working with youth in rural, urban and suburban areas have given me a varied perspective that taught me that circumstances or issues may be similar. However, finding realistic solutions poses major challenges for many individuals in rural areas, as access to resources is more limited.  My current role is the perfect fit for me, as I can continue to encourage trajectory changes that yield positive results.

USDA Works to Reduce Child Hunger

Nearly 30 million children participate in USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs, allowing them to eat healthy meals for free or at a reduced price. When school is out for summer, most school aged kids lose access to these healthy meals. To help address this gap, USDA offers “SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids” to help tackle childhood hunger during the summer months. These programs offer free summer meals for kids 18 and under and new grocery benefits for eligible school-aged kids. Visit USDA’s SUN Programs website to find out more and see what’s available in your community.

Interns are the Future of USDA

USDA understands the important role that internships play in a student’s professional and personal life. Internships test assumptions about professional interests. They build valuable workplace skills and provide on-the-job training. They also foster meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.  Ultimately, internships lead students down career paths that they may or may not have anticipated, opportunities that allow students to chart their own path.

Several USDA internships are aligned with existing career-development programs.  The USDA 1890 National Scholar Program offers summer internships for participants and the potential to convert to a permanent position upon graduation. USDA also partners with third-party internship programs like the CAPAL, HEPCAMP, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund internship program. Find out more at Internships and Career Opportunities | USDA.