The NextGen program contributes to USDA Strategic Goal 6: Attract, Inspire, and Retain an Engaged and Motivated Workforce that’s Proud to Represent USDA. NextGen engagements with students are part of a broader USDA effort to increase student awareness of internship and career opportunities, facilitate professional development, and build a community of future leaders from around the country. Engagements include the NextGen Student Summits as well as USDA workshops and activities at conferences.
Upcoming USDA-NextGen Student Engagement
Fall 2024
| Society for the Advancement of Hispanic/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) NDiSTEM Conference October 31-November 2, 2024 Phoenix, AZ |
| Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 38th Annual Conference November 1-3, 2024 Aurora, CO |
Winter 2025
| Winter NextGen Student Summit Dates & Program TBA Washington, DC |
| USDA's 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum February 27-28, 2025 Arlington, VA |
Spring 2025
| Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 39th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo April 2-6, 2024 Memphis, TN |
| Spring NextGen Student Summit Dates & Program TBA Washington, DC |
This spring, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) hosted 111 students at USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the NextGen Spring Student Summit. Students traveled from 11 states and Puerto Rico, representing more than 20 colleges and universities including 1890 Historically...
USDA offers employment opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in agriculture, science, technology, math, nutrition, food systems, management, business, and managing the impacts of climate change.
Make an impact and learn what it's like to work for the federal government. The federal government offers paid and unpaid internships, scholarships and other opportunities for current students in high school, college, trade school, graduate school or other qualifying educational institutions.
Programs