October 21, 2024

Applications being accepted for USDA FAS Agricultural Export Market Challenge

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service have announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2024/2025 FAS Agricultural Export Market Challenge. This experiential learning opportunity is available for administrators/faculty from minority-serving institutions to serve as the team sponsor/mentor to a team of junior and senior year undergraduate students from their institution for the Challenge.

The Agricultural Export Market Challenge is an immersive learning experience using the case study method and role playing to simulate the work that FAS subject matter experts perform every day to increase export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. FAS will provide students with a packet of background materials describing the simulation. As a team of 3-5 individuals, students will be asked to conduct basic research and outreach to experts simulating the experience of an FAS professional as they solve real world trade problems. The goal of the simulation is to help students accrue knowledge and skills across the disciplines of economics, diplomacy, scientific analysis, marketing, and trade policy.

The Challenge will take place online during the first half of the semester in spring 2025 over the course of four to six weeks from start to finish. There will be a kick-off session and a workshop during which student teams will present their work and hear from FAS officials. The deadline to submit expression of interest form is Dec. 2, 2024.

To download a PDF flyer, click here. For any questions, please email usda-faschallenge@hacu.net.