According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, there were 112,379 Hispanic agricultural producers in the U.S. The 2022 census showed Hispanic producers were younger on average than U.S. producers overall and more likely to be a beginning farmer.
In an effort to support minority-serving colleges and universities, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides grants to Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSI). The primary objective is to attract exceptional students and foster the development of graduates who can actively contribute to the nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce.
NIFA-Funded HSI Projects
University of Houston’s (UH) “Prepare Next Generation of Hispanic Students for Career in Food Biotechnology” project, a four-year project awarded in 2021, offers high school student workshops, experiential learning activities and college scholarships to encourage Hispanic students to enter the nutrition and food biotechnology fields. During the fourth year of the program, 100 high school students applied for a two-day summer camp event, of which 43 were chosen to participate in training and research activities.
During its third year, the program organized a four-week summer research experience for 11 high school students. Students were grouped into teams to gain research experience in four different laboratories. Research topics included microalgae cultivation; nutrition and dietetics; plant science; and lignin collection from mushrooms. At the end of the program, students shared their experiences, skills gained, and how the program helped shape their career through a short presentation. Student feedback was captured through a survey in the end of the experience. After completing the program, half of the students expressed their intention to apply to UH in the biotechnology, nutrition or hotel and restaurant management program.
The “HSI Education Program: Experiential Education in Agriculture and Food Studies at Adams State University” is a four-year project funded in 2021 that aims to build its capacity in developing a skilled workforce in food and agriculture to meet the growing agricultural industry needs of southern Colorado's San Luis Valley. Adams State will focus expanding its enrollment, increasing retention and graduation rates, and advancing equity in education in three food and agriculture bachelor’s degree programs— business administration (agribusiness emphasis), general agriculture (agricultural business or agricultural biology emphasis) and food studies.
This project helps fund scholarships to aid in reducing student’s economic burden while providing them hands-on internships. Last summer, the program supported 10 students who interned with local employers that provided mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.
Here are a few of the students’ internship experiences:
- One student worked on a ranch in western New Mexico. During their time, he gained insight and experience into management issues (hiring, training, operational strategy, and decision-making priorities).
- A brother and sister in the agribusiness program who grew up on their family-owned century ranch in the southern San Luis Valley are constructing an active generational succession plan to address finances, management priorities and goals, natural resources and inheritance responsibilities, as well as capabilities to ensure the 100-year-old ranch remains in the family and grows to support three generations.
- Another student attended the Colorado Future Farmers Association Convention to share their experiences in the program and the internship opportunities with potential students from Colorado high schools. He enjoyed the recruiting opportunity and the chance to communicate with potential students. This student is considering both ranching and furthering his academic studies beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about NIFA’s HSI partners who collaborate with the agency to address critical issues related to agriculture, food, the environment and communities.