West Virginia University student David Nason will travel to conferences, networking opportunities and roundtable discussions – all expenses paid – as one of Farm Foundation’s 2023 Agricultural Scholars.
The Charleston native is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design studying natural resource economics. He plans to work as an economist focused on labor markets and rural economic development--but to get there, education, connection and knowledge of the industry are vital.
During the year-long scholarship program, 14 students will receive regular mentorship from a U.S. Department of Agriculture staff researcher. Together, the researcher and student will collaborate on a research project in the student’s chosen field. Nason’s research focuses on the impact of broadband investment in rural communities. At the end of the year, Nason will present his research findings to the other Agricultural Scholars.
The events intend to engage students and provide a deeper understanding of production agriculture, agribusiness and government.
"I have opportunities now to network and meet people directly involved with agribusinesses and government agriculture,” Nason said. “It's been valuable to me to better understand the interaction between challenges in agriculture policy and challenges facing rural communities because they are so intertwined.”
His passion for rural economics came from seeing the challenges his own state has faced in his lifetime. Nason said the scholarship program’s unique experience gives a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in agriculture and rural communities.
“The USDA Economic Research Service is doing quite a bit of research on distressed places and places that are lagging economically,” Nason said. “Being involved in that is important to me as a native West Virginian because of how this research could benefit the state.”
"Being able to meet policy makers and leaders in agribusiness has been valuable to me because they have such a different insight into problems in agricultural economics—something that’s not necessarily easy to come by solely in an academic setting,” Nason said.
The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @WVUDavis.
-WVU-
ls/06/13/23
Leah Smith
Communications Specialist
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304-290-8680; lnestor2@mail.wvu.edu
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