USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship
The prestigious Wallace-Carver Fellowship offers exceptional college students the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned scientists and policymakers through paid internships at leading USDA research centers and offices across the United States.
The fellows also participate in a high-level week-long Wallace-Carver Leadership Symposium at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington DC, hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Fulfilling the shared vision of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack and World Food Prize founder Dr. Norman Borlaug of inspiring the next generation of American scientific and humanitarian leaders, the United States Department of Agriculture and the World Food Prize Foundation partnered to create the Wallace-Carver Fellowship.
Named for Henry A. Wallace and George Washington Carver, two of the great American leaders in agricultural science and policy who made significant strides toward ending hunger in the 20th Century, the Wallace-Carver Fellowship seeks to educate, inspire and train the next generation of agricultural leaders, who will lead us in the 21st century.
In the Summer of 2016, thirty-seven fellows are stationed at USDA research centers and field offices across the country to analyze agricultural and economic policy; assist in the management of food, nutrition and rural development programs; and take part in groundbreaking field and laboratory-based research.
“The Wallace-Carver Fellowship exposes the best young minds in agriculture to the wide variety of opportunities available to them through civil service. Their experiences as Fellows will prepare these exceptional young leaders to carry out the vital research and innovation we will need to address the challenge of feeding a growing global population.”
- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack
For questions or further information please contact The World Food Prize Directors of National Education Programs, Keegan Kautzky: kkautzky@worldfoodprize.org , 515-341-7162 and Libby Crimmings: lcrimmings@worldfoodprize.org, 515-245-3706.
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CARLEY ALLEN “This summer was a truly amazing opportunity where I gained both lab and field experience. These skills will prove beneficial in my future endeavours as a research veterinarian and for this I will be forever grateful." |
BRANDON BEALL “My summer internship emboldened my ambition to pursue agricultural research by exposing me to the realities of scientific work and the various interactions that take place between individuals in a scientific community.”
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SRUTHI BODDAPATI “This life-changing experience brought many new global issues and potential research into perspective for me, while creating friendships that will last a lifetime.” |
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ANN BRAVERMAN “I learned that science has the potential to help millions of people across the globe. It was inspirational working and speaking with some of our country's brightest individuals. I am honored to have been a part of this wonderful program.” |
THERESA BREHM “This summer changed my outlook on scientific research. I met many scientists doing work in various fields and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way. Thank you, USDA and World Food Prize!” |
MARIAH COX "The hands-on experience working at USDA was extraordinary. The people I worked with were inspiring and helped me take the next steps towards ending hunger." |
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ANGER DOK "The experience with USDA helped me find my place in the world, and that I can effect change with hard work and good intentions.” |
LAUREN FILLEBROWN “Being a WC Fellow two years in a row provided opportunities for me to grow professionally. I gained valuable skills , became more confident and made friends along the way.” |
KIRSTEN FORSTER "I got a crash course in microbiology and I connected with catfish farmers all around Alabama. I'm so grateful for everyone at the AAHRU in Auburn because I had one of the best summers of my life." |
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JUSTINE FRERICHS “I appreciated the opportunity to work alongside experts who have committed their lives to public service and I loved getting to know peers who are passionate about similar issues.” |
LANDER GEADELMANN “The Fellowship turned my interest in research into a passion. It has showed me how I can make a more food secure future.” |
GRANT GUSTAFSON “Working with FAS gave me an incredible perspective on the role of the U.S. as the world leader in agriculture and the power of a team’s commitment to a common goal.” |
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JASMINE HANSON “The experience helped broaden my horizons. The people I worked with cared about what I had to say and helped me be successful. I know that I was able to make a difference in both the scientific community and the world in general.” |
SAM HARRIS “Through the fellowship, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how public service and agriculture play a hand to ensure the industry is sustainable for generations to come.” |
EVA HENNINGSEN “I learned that there are many facets of agriculture that interest me and where I can affect meaningful change.” |
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TAYLOR HINTCH "My summer internship allowed me to experience the many different aspects of agriculture and I learned to respect agriculture in a way I never knew was possible." |
RAEGAN HOEFLER “My experience taught me that there are so many paths research and that every discipline is needed to advance the future of research. I will forever use the professional and laboratory skills I gained working for the USDA.” |
SIERRA MARI JAMIR “Working with the USDA gave me a glimpse of the various ways people in research, policy, communications, as well as other fields, are tackling world hunger, and the inspirational people making this happen.” |
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ROHAN KANDEL “This summer I've learned that no matter one's age, anyone can make a difference in the fight against food insecurity. Let your motivation inspire others.” |
KIERA LEDDY “Working at the National Grain Center opened my eyes to the crucial role that uniform grain plays in international trade and crop science.” |
LEAH LUCAS "It was an honor to work with the Economic Research Services as a WC fellow and I look forward to future collaborations with its world class economists and researchers." |
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GRETCHEN MOHR “My fellowship provided me the opportunity to practice the skills I've learned in university while creating lasting connections with mentors who are experts in their field.” |
GABRIEILLE MORRIS "The Wallace Carver Fellowship was a eye opening experience, it has made a big impact on my future." |
SHANTAL PAI "It was an outstanding opportunity to get dirty and have an impact on crop production." |
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BRADLEY PICKHINKE "The most important lesson I learned is that agriculture is the efforts of millions of hands to feed billions of mouths." |
HOLLY PODLISKA "I loved my fellowship experience. I learned valuable lab skills that I will use in my future career as well as built relationships and shared the Aloha Spirit with amazing people." |
ABIGAIL SANDERS "This summer, I had the opportunity to learn the basic principles of research, but also, was given the chance to make an impact in the field of agricultural research, while making lifelong connections. For that I'm truly grateful." |
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STEPHEN SCHWARTZ “As a fellow I had the opportunity to conduct USDA research leading to real world solutions. No where else could I have such an immediate impact in the scientific community” |
MORGAN SMITH
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MADELINE TOPF “I learned how to ask for things. Even bright young minds can't do it alone.” |
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LAURA TUCKER "The fellowship has allowed me to gain hands-on experience working with top government researches. It gave me the resources to discover the field of research I wish to pursue." |
ARUN VELAMURI “Throughout the duration of the fellowship, I applied what I had learned in the classroom to an agricultural setting, thereby helping to progress research being done in the field.” |
THOMAS WILGENBUSCH Placement: ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research - Kimberly, ID "The fellowship gave me the opportunity to see multiple segments of the agriculture industry working together to maximize food production and efficiency." |
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MATHEW WILHELM Placement: ARS, Soil and Water Management Research Unit - St. Paul, MN “Working with ARS has opened my eyes to the resources available to conduct groundbreaking research that impacts individuals on a global scale.” |
GILLIAN WILKINS Placement: ARS, Cereal Crops Research - Fargo, ND “I enjoyed my time at USDA learning about infectious plant diseases, lab techniques, methods of DNA extraction, and how to sequence DNA.” |
CINTHIA WILKINSON Placement: ARS, National Animal Disease Center- Ames, IA "The fellowship opened my eyes to all the possibilities of research within agriculture and how my interest in vaccine development can be connected to agriculture.” |
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MIKEL WRIGHT Placement: ARS, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment- Ames, IA "I enjoyed my experience because I was able to apply the things I learned over the years in a professional setting" |
View Fellows by Year:
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
