Title

Commitment to service sets Georgia graduate up for success

Relevance

Response

{"ops":[{"insert":"Casey Hunter lives by the motto, “We before me,” which has set the tone for his rising success. Hunter, a recipient of the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) 1890 Scholarship, graduated a semester early in December 2023 with an animal science degree and a job offer from Corteva AgriScience already under his belt. Joining the Wildcat pack in 2020 during COVID-19 was an exciting but daunting adventure as he tried to adapt to a new environment, online learning and connecting with new people.\n\n“Everything shifted right before I came to college, but there is always a blessing in the lessons,” he said. “It prepared me for later down the road.”\n\nThe Perry, Georgia, native has roots in southwest Georgia. He recalled growing up on his paternal grandparents’ farm in Grady County, where he raised and showed pigs for Future Farmers of America as a youth. Hunter wanted to experience diverse agriculture career options in college. Early on, he interned at Baldwin County High School, where he shadowed the agriculture teacher. He followed that internship up with time at the National Wildlife Federation, Perdue Farms and Syngenta.\n\nIn 2022, Hunter joined six other FVSU students on a trip to West Africa to learn about cocoa and shea butter production. “This experience and the knowledge I’ve gained have been so pivotal for me in wanting to become a change agent within the agricultural sector,” he said. The Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, supported this international learning experience.\n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"insert":"Working toward his purpose, Casey Hunter served as an Agriculture Future for America (AFA) Ambassador. His connection with AFA led to an interview with Corteva AgriScience, a company committed to purpose-driven sustainability, contributing to global food security and advancing environmental stewardship. He is now an associate territory manager with the company. The only African American in his cohort, this is another reason why he wants to be in agriculture. “There are perspectives to be heard and understood. I am glad I am leading the pathway,” Hunter said.\n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invested $19.2 million in 1890 Land-grant Universities to provide undergraduate scholarships for students to stimulate interest in food and agricultural careers. Students like Fort Valley State University graduate Casey Hunter have benefited from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 1890 Scholarships Program. He is now an associate territory manager with Corteva AgriScience, a company committed to purpose-driven sustainability, contributing to global food security and advancing environmental stewardship.\n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Food Security

Secondary Focus Area

Food Security

Tags

Primary Funding Source

Other

Secondary Funding Source

None Selected

Urban Impact Statement

Submission Year

2024

Submitter is Point of Contact

Yes

Primary Contact Name

Latasha Ford

Primary Contact Email

fordl@fvsu.edu

Integrated Impact Statement

Integrated With

None Selected

Statement Synopsis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invested $19.2 million in 1890 Land-grant Universities to provide undergraduate scholarships for students to stimulate interest in food and agricultural careers. Students like Fort Valley State University graduate Casey Hunter have benefited from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 1890 Scholarships Program. He is now an associate territory manager with Corteva AgriScience, a company committed to purpose-driven sustainability, contributing to global food security and advancing environmental stewardship.

Resource Links