Six NDSU Graduate Students Selected as USDA National Needs Fellows

Six graduate students with NDSU’s Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies (CAPTS), Aleah Miller, Erika Zick, Garrett Kuhn, Katelyn Duchscher, Mikayla Tellers, and Savana Damar, have been awarded the prestigious USDA National Needs Fellowship (NNF) in Agribusiness and Data Analytics.

The fellowship program, funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is designed to address critical workforce shortages in agricultural management and economics. Fellows receive financial support, advanced interdisciplinary training, and opportunities to engage in hands-on research and professional development. All six awardees are enrolled in the M.S. in Agribusiness and Data Analytics at NDSU, where they will gain skills in data-driven analysis, agribusiness management, and applied economics.

This competitive award recognizes students for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing agricultural economics. Through their participation, the fellows will collaborate with faculty mentors and industry leaders, strengthening their capacity to contribute to U.S. agriculture and rural communities.

This recognition highlights the achievements of six students: Aleah, Erika, Garrett, Katelyn, Mikayla, and Savana. It also reflects the mission of CAPTS and NDSU’s Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics to prepare the next generation of agricultural economists and policy leaders.

Note: From the right, Dr. Sandro Steinbach, Katelyn Duchscher, Garrett Kuhn, Mikayla Tellers, Savana Damar, Aleah Miller, Erika Zick, Dr. Cheryl Wachenheim, and Dr. William Nganje.