Thanks to an outpouring of student applications, this year Women in Agribusiness (WIA) is seeking additional sponsors for its Student Scholarship Program. More than 30 young women are awaiting sponsors to provide the opportunity to attend the annual Women in Agribusiness Summit where they will reap the benefits of being immersed in ag content, networking and collaboration for three days with nearly 1,000 women leaders in the sector.

In addition to registration, accommodations are included, as is a seat at all the activities at the annual Summit, including special workshops, lunches and collaborative opportunities for the students. Students are typically paired with sponsors that align with their academic major or career interest.

Thus far, over 400 young women in agribusiness from undergraduate to master’s level to Ph.D. have benefitted from the knowledge and connections gained from attending the annual Women in Agribusiness Summit with a student scholarship. More than $100,000 is provided every year from the generous sponsors of these scholarships, for a total of more than $1.365 million over the last 13 years.

Sponsors of the program have included ADM, Bunge, Cargill, PTx Trimble, Smithfield and Wilbur Ellis (see the 2024 sponsors). Here’s what this year’s sponsors had to say about the program:

· “USDEC seeks to invest in the future leaders of the dairy and agriculture industries as a whole, especially female student leaders. We are proud to support these accomplished, high-achieving young women who will undoubtedly give back to the dairy and agriculture industries in the years to come. Supporting the Women in Agribusiness Student Scholarship Program also aligns with USDEC’s mission of creating a future with innovation, quality and sustainable nutrition—which these young ladies will be at the forefront of building,” said Jerry Brown, senior VP of Communications, U.S. Dairy Export Council.

· Nina Krause, managing director US Row Crops – Southeast for Nuveen Capital, said “At Nuveen Natural Capital, our partnership with the Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit reflects our commitment to advancing women, equity, and leadership in agriculture. As a proud sponsor, we’re dedicated to empowering women and supporting the next generation of ag professionals.This year, we’re honored to sponsor a student to attend the 2025 WIA Summit—an investment in mentorship, education, and access to industry opportunities. Our continued support of WIA is driven by a shared vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient agricultural future."

· For Danielle Harris, CAIA, AFM managing director of North American acquisitions and dispositions of Manulife, supporting students through the WIA Student Scholarship program is a connection Manulife views “not as a one-time sponsorship, but as the beginning of a long-term relationship—one that reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting women in agriculture. By sponsoring a student to attend the Women in Agribusiness Summit, we’re investing in both the individual potential of a promising young woman and the broader goal of building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient agricultural industry. The WIA Summit provides an opportunity for students to connect with industry professionals and build confidence in their ability to participate in our industry. We’ve seen firsthand how this experience can be transformative,” said Harris.

Manulife sponsored Reagan Russell, a Texas A&M student, at the WIA 2022 Summit in Dallas, Texas. They shared time together at the event and have kept in touch ever since. Russell is now production coordinator for WIA.

Said Russell in this interview (with fellow former student scholar Priyamvadha Sivakumar), “It’s an amazing opportunity. The Summit has altered our career path significantly. I can say for sure that I wouldn’t be here at WIA in this role if I hadn’t attended the Summit with a scholarship. I recommend that whether you know exactly where you’re going or want to go, or whether you’re trying to figure it out, you can get a wealth of knowledge and a front row seat to real conversations in the industry and start building contacts now. There’s so much energy in the room, and these women, they want to meet you and connect with you.”

To learn more about sponsoring a student, email John Hayes, WIA business development manager, at jhayes@womeninag.com. University students interested in applying for a scholarship will find the application here. Applications are due by July 13.