As we approach the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect upon all the work we have collectively achieved over the past months. Together with our partners – including many of you, our newsletter readers – we have achieved remarkable milestones that have contributed to our shared success. This year, we celebrated several key accomplishments, including:

• Another successful year of the 1890s National Scholars Program, with 94 Scholarships awarded, valued at approximately $1 million,
• Increasing the number of this year’s participants in the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program to 32 Fellows,
• Supporting Underserved and Veteran Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters through our 2501 program which awarded $22.6 million in grant funding to 31 new projects across 24 states and territories,Increased the number of High School Equivalency and College Assistance for Migrants Program (HEP/CAMP) internships at USDA from eight students in 2023 to fourteen in 2024, and
• Engaged one-on-one with over 340 military veterans interested in beginning ranching and farming and connected over 290 transitioning service members and veterans seeking employment to opportunities at USDA.

These are just a few of our achievements over the past year. They are a testament to our collaborative effort and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for your support, innovation and dedication, which have played a pivotal role in our journey.

The end of the year also allows us an opportunity to do some personal reflection. How can we work more closely together in the new year? In which areas do we want to expand the great work we are doing? What are some things I can do better to show up as a leader and teammate? We all have different answers to these questions, but taking the time for introspection can help guide us forward as we begin anew the opportunities that 2025 will bring us.

We remain committed to working closely with you to explore new heights together.

On behalf of the whole OPPE team, we wish each of you peace and joy during this holiday season.

USDA Seeks Applicants for E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program

USDA is accepting applications for the 2025 USDA E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellowship Program. Through the fellowship, participants meet directly with USDA agency staff in Washington, D.C., to learn about the opportunities available to their respective Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and students. Applications are due by March 6, 2025.

MVAL Convenes Representatives of Farm Credit Union

In November, USDA Military Veterans Advisory Liaison (MVAL) Monshi “Ram” Ramdass and representatives from several USDA agencies convened with Farm Credit Council members, Farmer Veteran Coalition leadership, and Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Rural Engagement. Held at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., the meeting included discussions on farm programs and resources available to serve veterans.

Veterans Continue to Keep Country Safe through USDA Apprenticeships

USDA recently strengthened its Commodity Food Grader’s Apprenticeship Program by expanding its scope from regional to national. As a result, transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses from across the country can now participate. After completing their apprenticeships, participants will have opportunities for upward mobility with USDA.

USDA 2501 Funding Supports Northeast Native Americans

Funding from the USDA 2501 Program helps the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust improve access to fresh, healthy food and foster a sense of cultural pride among Indigenous peoples in the Northeast. The organization supports food sovereignty through community gardens, mentorship programs for local farmers, and marketing strategies for Indigenous producers, among other initiatives.

OPPE hosts USDA Internship Webinar

In November, OPPE hosted a USDA Internships Webinar where several past interns presented on their recent internship experience at USDA. If you missed this event and are interested in learning more about internships, career pathways and tips to make yourself competitive for these great opportunities, you can view the recording and also visit the USDA Careers website.

Wilmington College of Agriculture Students Visit USDA Headquarters

USDA recently welcomed students from the Wilmington, Ohio College of Agriculture to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. There they learned about various USDA programs and career opportunities with OPPE, Rural Development and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. As part of a Youth Lead Act and service mission, the students were interested in learning more about USDA programs that can expand opportunities and offerings in rural areas.

USDA Teams up with Florida International University to host a two-day Ag Leadership Workshop

In November, OPPE and Florida International University hosted a two-day virtual Ag Leadership Workshop. Leaders from local and national USDA agencies described programs and leadership development opportunities for students and professionals in agriculture, including those from underrepresented communities.

White House Tribal Youth Forum Outreach

During Native American Heritage Month in November, OPPE Strategic Initiatives Director Jaime Wood (fifth from right) joined USDA colleagues at a White House Tribal Youth Forum Outreach event at U.S. Health and Human Services. Tribal youth and young adults from across the U.S. and territories came to D.C. to learn, engage and amplify awareness about Indigenous food sovereignty. The USDA delegation participated in mentoring sessions with the attendees and shared information on USDA opportunities for education and internships, entrepreneurship and employment.

USDA Hosts Women in Agriculture Roundtable

The USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor hosted a roundtable in Washington, D.C., with leaders in the U.S. agricultural sector to discuss cooperation on the International Women of the Year (IYWF) initiative. The attendees explored opportunities for USDA and the U.S. private sector to work together to advance the role of women in agriculture, bring awareness to the contributions and challenges that American women farmers face, and help American women in agriculture make inroads in access to training and technology. OPPE’s Women in Agriculture Initiative Program Coordinator Lihan Wei (left) provides leadership to the USDA effort for IYWF 2026.

Message from OPPE
Chief of Staff Anton Malkowski

We share information about OPPE’s programs and resources across many areas, including scholarships, internships, grants and professional and community development opportunities. 

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to ensure OPPE can deliver these programs to the American public? Without the support of the professionals in our Operations, Communications, Performance Improvement Divisions and our Executive support staff, this work would not be possible.

Our Operations team, led by our Chief Operations Officer Matthews Smith, ensures that everything from computers and cellular devices, budget, personnel actions, procurements, facilities, professional development, and a whole host of other issues are running smoothly and enable our program staff to work effectively with stakeholders.

Kim Okahara leads our Performance Improvement team. The work of this team has been vital to establishing meaningful performance metrics and evaluation processes that facilitate continuous improvement across the organization, ensuring we continue to create efficiencies and improve effectiveness in our program delivery.

Our executive assistant Willette Squire runs the day-to-day business of our OPPE front office, ensures our senior leaders have the support they need, and manages a host of other duties supporting our team.

Lastly, the reason you can read this newsletter today is due to the efforts of our Communications team, led by Joyce El Kouarti. This team has enhanced OPPE’s effectiveness at communicating the successes of our work and creating awareness for interested stakeholders.

These leaders and the small-but-mighty teams they manage are the backbone of OPPE. While their work is not typically at the forefront of OPPE news, their contributions are invaluable.

Meet Thomas Badilla

Thomas Badilla began his career in Costa Rica as an international volunteer program coordinator for Asociación de Voluntarios para el Servicio en Áreas Protegidas. He recruited and supervised interns and volunteers involved in sea turtle projects and national parks. From 2017-2019, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia where he trained fish farmers in fishpond management, harvesting techniques and business skills. From 2019-2023, he worked as a Peace Corps Recruiter in Irvine, Calif., building networks and relationships with Minority Serving Institutions and identifying competitive and diverse applicants.

As a USDA liaison with OPPE, he now builds and maintains meaningful partnerships with Hispanic-Serving Institutions, high schools and community organizations in the Southeastern U.S and Puerto Rico. He promotes student programs, creates experiential learning opportunities, and mentors students to pursue careers in the agricultural sector. Thomas grew up in Costa Rica and has a bachelor’s degree in environmental management from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.

…that every year, a different national forest is chosen to provide a tree for exhibition as “The People’s Tree” on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season? This 2024 tree came from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, America’s largest national forest. 

The tree travelled from the Tongass National Forest across Canada and the United States, making stops along the way for festivities with local communities, eventually arriving at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

The first and only previous U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to come from Alaska was sent from the Chugach National Forest in 2015.