ApEc Undergrad student feature: Sierra Williamson

Sierra Williamson graduated from Martin County West High School in Sherburn, MN last May, and quickly found a home for herself in Saint Paul. Majoring in Agricultural and Food Business Management and minoring in Agronomy and Marketing, Sierra tells us, “I was raised in a [small] community that values agriculture…I want to positively impact food insecurity and CFANS has offered me many opportunities to work on career development.”

Sierra not only thrives academically, she’s also involved in several extracurricular activities and internships to bolster both her knowledge and her resume. Active on the CFANS undergraduate student board, she has been able to meet not only other students in her major, but policymakers, farmers and agricultural professionals, helping to strengthen her relationships with agricultural businesses and leaders in the industry. “CFANS has really welcomed me into their community and helped me adjust to college, continuing my ambitions towards joining the agricultural field,” she tells us.

Sierra landed coveted Global Food Challenge Emerging Leader internship with Land O’ Lakes by entering a nationwide competition. Land O’ Lakes selected a cohort of college sophomores to work as a team on sustainable solutions for agricultural challenges. Sierra will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to visit with policymakers and to Africa where she will meet with smallholder farmers.

Sierra explains, “food supply solutions on a large scale will demand intelligent scientific research, innovative ideas, and passionate leadership. I hope my career will contribute to meeting future food demands, making sure food supplies are safe and nutritious, creating safe farming environments, and providing jobs to people who have none.”

To learn more about the Global Food Challenge Emerging Leader internship, visit: http://foodchallenge.landolakesinc.com/meet-the-emerging-leaders/