UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognized Emma Chaplin, a second-year student majoring in environmental resource management in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, as a Future Leader in Agriculture.

In February, Chaplin attended the USDA’s 100th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. The theme for 2024 was “Cultivating the Future.” Chaplin was one of 20 undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States selected to attend.

The Future Leaders in Agriculture program introduces students to the USDA and its partner organizations. The program provides learning opportunities in contemporary agribusiness, scientific research and agricultural policy for students majoring in agriculture-related subjects.

“I’ve met so many students and professors at Penn State who are passionate about food security and sustainable agriculture,” said Chaplin, of Camp Hill. “I had the opportunity to travel to Nyeri, Kenya, to work on conservation agriculture projects, and I interned at the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center and the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. These experiences inspired me to apply to become a USDA Future Leader. I have fallen in love with agriculture and the innovation happening in this field right now.”

Robert Shannon, environmental resource management program coordinator and Chaplin’s academic adviser, pointed to her strong interest in international agriculture and the challenges of producing enough food to feed the world, while sustainably improving soil health and water quality.

“She was a perfect fit for the forum because of her interests in how agricultural and natural resource policy decisions are shaped and implemented by USDA and its partner agencies,” he said.

A Schreyer Scholar who is working toward a minor in international agriculture, Chaplin learned about the forum from Shannon. She said undergraduates were asked to write an essay on “Agriculture as a Career” as part of the application process.

“When I did more research about the program, I knew for certain I wanted to apply,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if I would get in with my major and the small number of students they accepted. However, something in the essay question really resonated with me. This prompted me to think about my future career and how every aspect of our lives relates to agriculture.”

Students participated in a USDA briefing and discussed career development with leaders in academia, government and industry. During the forum, students attended talks and networked with people from across the country. The participants also toured the nation’s capital, attended the unveiling of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, and met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small.

“My favorite part was speaking with Secretary Vilsack,” Chaplin said. “Like me, he grew up in Pennsylvania. I asked him about how we can bring our experience at this conference back home, and he talked with me about how Penn State is involved with climate-smart agriculture.”

Shannon, who serves as the college’s assistant dean for undergraduate education, encouraged students with similar interests to apply in future years.

“Our students are well-prepared to be leaders in agriculture, and gaining exposure to current leaders in USDA and other organizations through the annual forum is a great career development opportunity,” he said.

Chaplin hopes to have a career in policy advising at the federal level. She said meeting USDA employees, consultants and members of nongovernmental organizations gave her a glimpse into her future.

Looking back on the experience, Chaplin said networking was the biggest benefit of attending the forum.

“I met some amazing people, and I know I’ll take what I learned from this experience into my future opportunities,” she said. “It was also enjoyable to connect with my fellow students. I felt lucky to get to spend time with them and hear their stories.”

Chaplin credits the College of Agricultural Sciences for presenting her with this opportunity and many others throughout her time at the University.

“With the support of my terrific advisers and the college, I feel emboldened to seek new possibilities,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what’s next.”