Gathered from information included in USDA Press Release No. 0021.24, press@usda.gov
San Diego, CA- On February. 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres
Small announced San Diego Mesa College as included in the selection of 19 minority-serving
educational institutions to take part in the 2024 USDA Agricultural Export Market
Challenge. San Diego Mesa College is one of only three community colleges chosen to
participate.
The Agricultural Export Market Challenge (the Challenge) is an immersive learning experience using the case study method and role playing to simulate the work that
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) subject matter experts perform every day to increase
export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. The simulation will
help students accrue knowledge and skills across the disciplines of economics, diplomacy,
scientific analysis, marketing, and trade policy.
Dr. Waverly Ray, Geography Professor is mentoring the following Mesa students for the 2024 Spring
semester with this immersive learning experience:
- Carson Brumfield, Chemistry major
- Aidan Middleton, Business major
- Jenny Tong, Economics/Business Administration major
- Victoria Velasquez, Business Administration major
“I applaud our faculty, in particular, Geography Professor Dr. Waverly Ray, for pursuing
opportunities that allow us to breathe life into the “serving” part of being an HSI,”
stated Dr. Ashanti Hands, San Diego Mesa College President. “This opportunity allows
us to see, serve, and support our students as they innovate ways to serve our community.
This is equity and excellence in action!”
During the five-week Challenge, teams of students develop and present a market entry
strategy for a fictitious American company seeking sales opportunities for a U.S.
food or agricultural product in an overseas market. The team that completes and wins
the Challenge receives an opportunity to meet with USDA leaders in Washington, D.C.
“American farmers deserve access to new, more, and better markets through trade, and
USDA is training future leaders to help expand those opportunities,” said Deputy Secretary
Torres Small. “Two years ago, USDA launched a one-of-a-kind platform for students
from minority-serving institutions to solve simulated world trade problems in the
Agricultural Export Market Challenge. With students from 19 schools participating
this year, the Challenge is a testament to the bright future ahead for agriculture.”
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), in cooperation with the Hispanic Association
of Colleges and Universities (HACU), created and continue to oversee the Agricultural
Export Market Challenge. The Challenge is an immersive learning experience for junior-
and senior-year undergraduate students to explore the work of FAS and accrue knowledge
and skills in diplomacy, economics, marketing, and trade policy.
The teams who will compete in the 2024 Spring Semester of the Challenge hail from
the following minority-serving institutions:
- Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis.*
- California State University, Fresno, Calif.*
- Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, Calif.*
- Colorado State University – Pueblo, Colo.
- Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla.
- Florida International University, Miami, Fla.
- Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga.
- Hartnell College, Salina, Calif.
- Howard University, Washington, D.C.
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico – Aguadilla, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
- Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo.*
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.*
- North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.*
- Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas*
- Regis University, Denver, Colo.
- San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, Calif.
- St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas*
- Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas*
- Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas
*Denotes teams that have participated in past years
The Agricultural Export Market Challenge (the 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. The simulation
will help students accrue knowledge and skills across the disciplines of economics,
diplomacy, scientific analysis, marketing, and trade policy. During the five-week
Challenge, teams of students develop and present a market entry strategy for a fictitious
American company seeking sales opportunities for a U.S. food or agricultural product
in an overseas market. The team that completes and wins the Challenge receives an
opportunity to meet with USDA leaders in Washington, D.C.
The Challenge and partnership between FAS and HACU align with the Biden-Harris Administration's
Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government and is another example of the Department's and Agency’s
commitment to advancing equity. To learn more about the Challenge visit fas.usda.gov/market-challenge.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the
Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater
focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all
producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities,
building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart
food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean
energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department
by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.
To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
San Diego Mesa College is a Proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
San Diego Mesa College is proud to be formally designated a Hispanic Serving Institution
by the United States Department of Education. The purpose of this designation is to
provide Mesa College the opportunity to improve the academic attainment of Latino/a,
Chicano/a, Hispanic, or similar identities, and low-income students. Being an HSI
means we are a reflection of our students, their cultures, values, and life experiences.
It guides the direction of the college and how we go about the work that we do. Every
students deserves to feel connected and safe on campus and to have access to the programs
and services to successfully reach their goals. As an Hispanic Serving Institution,
Mesa is committed to be the Leading College of Equity and Excellence. Learn more at www.sdmesa.edu/about-mesa/hsi.
Follow San Diego Mesa College on Social Media:
Facebook.com: sandiegomesacollege
Twitter.com: sdmesacollege
Instagram.com: sdmesacollege
Youtube: youtube.com: sdmesacollege
Snapchat: sdmesacollege
LinkedIn: San Diego Mesa College
###
Tags: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, Geography, Press Release
