Project Summary

We will train seven USDA National Needs Fellows (NNF) in a newly established and highly interdisciplinary Master of Science (MS) program in “Agribusiness and Data Analytics” at North Dakota State University. The proposed activities will address the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area of “Agricultural Management and Economics” and contribute to the USDA mission under discipline code M “Agricultural Marketing and Management (includes Agricultural Economics).”

In response to the growing need for an agribusiness workforce trained to harness the data revolution, we aim to train seven NFF Fellows in the newly developed MS program in “Agribusiness and Data Analytics.” The proposed EPSCoR-eligible program is specifically tailored toward the needs and challenges of big data analytics in the agribusiness industry. The NNF Fellows will be trained in the methods and applications of computational statistics to answer questions critical to agriculture and food production. The program will offer several opportunities for professional development and experiential learning. Backed by rigorous training in agribusiness theory and practice, the fellows will specialize in the theory and application of data science concepts and methods. The “Agribusiness and Data Analytics” track integrates well with the newly established MS program in Agribusiness and Applied Economics, being a critical educational initiative of North Dakota State University and benefiting from interdisciplinary collaboration and a highly diverse and multicultural research and education environment. The program will allow the seven NNF Fellows from underrepresented groups to engage with future employers through experiential learning and collaboration in hands-on research projects. Accompanied by thorough assessments and follow-ups, the education program will add seven truly outstanding applied economists trained in “Agribusiness and Data Analytics” to critical niches in academics, industry, and government. The project will also develop new knowledge on data science in agribusiness and applied economics, foster the programmatic development of the “Agribusiness and Data Analytics” track, and disseminate the outcomes to the academic community and public.