Testimonials
Program Overview
The residential session was amazing, I loved it – all the introspective sessions to figure out how you want to have a career and how to work, I had never spent time on figuring those things out. I also love how all the fellows work in different areas but all related to food. I’d never been to a conference like that – there’s no competition (whose paper is better, etc.), because we all research different things.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
I had always thought that government wasn’t for me, and policy work definitely isn’t. But the last talk from USDA-ARS staff (at the Washington, DC, meeting) was intriguing. I didn’t realize there were R&D type roles in government in my exact field of research.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
I had always thought that government wasn’t for me, and policy work definitely isn’t. But the last talk from USDA-ARS staff (at the Washington, DC, meeting) was intriguing. I didn’t realize there were R&D type roles in government in my exact field of research.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
I really enjoyed the NC State session and meeting the fellows. When you are a grad student, it’s hard to be intentional when you are trying to multitask. Having that long stretch of time and to be able to remove yourself from your grad studies and really focus on professional development. I really liked the emotional intelligence and personality tests – I thought that was a good way to begin the program and learn how to work with others.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
I loved our site visits to local companies. The experiences shared were very genuine and real. It helped me understand that as graduate students we should consider working in both large and small companies; that we could learn, thrive and make an impact.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
My biggest takeaway from the week was getting to connect with my fellow fellows. They are such a bright and inspired bunch of students, and it is really nice to be surrounded by a group with similar hopes and ambitions as I have – and to find the synergies between the types of work that we are doing.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
The first residential session was amazing – I think just being thrown into a room with a lot of really smart people who also care about the Earth and the future of humanity and feeding everyone, and all these things that I really care about. It’s exciting to meet a lot of people who have those same goals and aspirations, especially when I was feeling a little dejected in my goals. It re-inspired me to be a part of the change I want to see in the world.
Anonymous, From the post-session evaluations
The FFAR Fellows Program
Thanks to the FFAR Fellows Program I have made connections that will last throughout my life. Gatherings with the fellows are filled with learning and laughter. Of our many workshops and training especially beneficial to me has been learning about emotional intelligence and how to harness emotions to enhance productivity and success.
Morgan Mathison, University of Wisconsin, 2018-2021 Fellow
Participating as a FFAR Fellow has been transformational in evolving my professional skills, notably communication, networking and leadership skills. It has provided me the tools and resources to get out of my ‘grad bubble’ and think outside the box. I feel empowered to consider career choices outside academic research.
Lovepreet Singh, University of Maryland, 2018-2021 Fellow
The FFAR Fellows Program has endowed me with the tools and skills needed to take my graduate education to the next level through both professional development and personal accountability in setting and achieving my goals, for my degree and my future career.
Alison Deviney, North Carolina State University, 2018-2021 Fellow
Through the FFAR Fellows Program I met extraordinary peers and professionals, and had the opportunity to develop a unique set of skills that considerably helped me have a positive impact on my work environment and beyond.
Francesco Cappai, University of Florida, 2018-2021 Fellow
Being a FFAR Fellow has fundamentally enhanced my graduate school experience. The program connected me to a diverse, driven and supportive cohort of friends and colleagues, created opportunities for dialog with my advisors and mentors I would not have had otherwise, and helped hold me accountable for goals I’ve set.
Zach Dashner, Penn State University, 2018-2021 Fellow
The FFAR Fellows program has given me the chance not only to build my professional development skills, but also to meet a network of creative and intelligent students working in all branches of food and agriculture research.
Gwen Donley, Case Western University, 2019-2022 Fellow
The FFAR Fellows program has connected me to a network of outstanding peers interested in leveraging agricultural research for change. With the community and professional development skills I’ve gained, I know I’ll leave this program with the skills to succeed [in my future career].
Dhruv Patel, Berkeley, 2019-2022 Fellow