The Foundation for Food and Agriculture (FFAR) Fellows Program was launched in 2018 and has become the premier professional development program for food and agriculture doctoral students. The FFAR Fellows offers leadership and professional development training for PhD students studying food and agriculture-related sciences in the U.S. and Canada. North Carolina State University leads the initiative, which provides Fellows with training, networking opportunities, and peer support. The objectives of the program are to 1) develop leadership competencies that enhance current and future individual productivity and well-being, and enhance Fellows capacity to contribute to the public good, 2) connect young scientists across research domains and geographic areas to promote multi-disciplinary understanding and problem-solving, and 3) broaden students understanding of their career options and create links to sectors beyond academia (industry, government, NGO). Over a 3-year period members of each cohort (25-30 Fellows) attend four in-person meetings plus monthly virtual sessions, create and execute annual professional development plans, and network and establish mentor-mentee relationships with industry scientists and others outside of academia. Eligible students are those who have completed their MS degrees before the program starts or current PhD students with at least three years remaining in the program. FFAR provides 50% of the funds with the rest matched from industry, NGOs, commodity organizations, or other sources of non-federal funds. Deadlines are generally late February for the Stipend Professional Development Category (providing professional development $50,000/year in support) and mid April for the Professional Development Category (providing professional development). Application requirements will be discussed in the presentation. The research program of each Fellow must address one or more of the six FFAR challenge areas, five of which relate to horticulture: Soil Health, Sustainable Water Management, Next Generation Crops, Urban Food Systems, and Health-Agriculture Nexus. Approximately 7% of the 139 Fellows are from horticulture programs. There are opportunities for more horticulture PhD students to take advantage of this program.
