AAF, MANRRS partnership seeks to increase ag diversity

The partnership will offer scholarships for tailored internships to minority college students and support for hiring from underrepresented groups.
EDITED BY MCKENNA CORSON
AAF MANRRS diversity partnership

The AGCO Agriculture Foundation, (AAF), Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, (MANRRS), Atlanta, have established a three-year partnership in order to grow minority student representation and diversity within the agriculture industry.

Scheduled to launch in December, the project will provide scholarship opportunities for crafted internship roles and additional support and development for underrepresented students pursuing ag-related careers. The focus areas will be agronomy, agribusiness, engineering, data science, software development, sustainability, field technicians and related disciplines.

“AGCO Agriculture Foundation is committed to working to address the diversity gap in the U.S. agricultural industry,” says Metti Richenhagen, AGCO Agriculture Foundation director. “Our partnership with MANRRS enables a diverse group of young agricultural enthusiasts to gain knowledge, skills and professional experience within high-demand areas of our industry.”

In each of the next three years, AAF will present 16 scholarships to chosen minority students in the U.S. Together with the AGCO Corporation, the project will craft a development and growth program for interns that will exist as a multi-year pathway in order to assist students finetune skills that fit post-collegiate career options.

The first batch of scholarships will be for the summer of 2022.

“Solving farmers’ most pressing challenges requires continuous innovation and diverse thinking,” says Eric Haggard, global diversity, equity and inclusion director at AGCO Corporation. “The AAF partnership with MANRRS enhances our ability to innovate for farmers by building a more diverse talent pipeline. We are thrilled to be able to offer these talented students development opportunities at AGCO.”

The program will be available at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as other minority-serving institutions. The 16 decided students for 2022 will also be invited to take part in the MANRRS 36th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo held March 23-26, 2022.

“MANRRS is excited about this new program,” says Ebony Webber, MANRRS National Office chief operating officer. “Our funding support and partnership with the AAF will help more exceptional talents within our network develop their leadership skills while contributing to the transformation of the agri-food industry. To develop state-of-the-art innovation and make strides towards zero hunger, the agricultural industry must be well-positioned to attract diverse talent like our MANRRS members.”

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