OAK BROOK, Ill. – She grew up doing everything from simple chores to driving a combine on her family farm.

Ailie Elmore is now in select company as a graduate student at the University of Illinois.

Elmore and five other students at land grant colleges and universities in the U.S. were chosen as student cultivators for January by Farm Foundation.

The organization based near Chicago is a think tank to come up with quick practical solutions for agriculture.

The invitation only group consists of thought leaders, policy makers and influential figures from a board cross-section of the food and agriculture value chain.

“The next generation of agricultural leaders is a vital part of our mission and vision.  We are proud to recognize and support these students and give them the opportunity to connect with some of our industry’s most respected leaders,” said Farm Foundation President and CEO Shari Rogge-Fidler.

Elmore, pursuing a Master’s degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics, said she was nominated for research she performed while serving a six month internship with MetLife Investment Management.

One of her primary focuses was identifying emerging markets for animal protein worldwide.

Elmore, 23, and the rest of the cultivators shared their findings during five-minute presentations at a recent Farm Foundation Round Table meeting.

The remainder of the award winners were: Christopher Danner, University of Minnesota; Carson Edge, University of Auburn; Jacob Lehman, University of Florida; Morgan MathisonSlee, Michigan State University and Javier Medina-Sanchez, Ohio State University.

Elmore said she’s not exactly sure what career path to take after receiving her master’s degree in the summer. 

However, she wants the focus of her work to be on agriculture and likes the idea of following in her father’s footsteps wherever opportunity might present itself. 

“I love working with farmers. They’re amazing people,” she said.

“I have a great interest in lending especially.  That’s probably where I’m looking towards but at the moment I’m pretty open,” she said.

Also in the back of her mind is one day returning to her childhood farm to raise her own family.

Elmore said her fond memories include her late 99-year old grandfather passing down his knowledge about farming, tending to the farm animals and being 15-years old when she taking over some of the combining for her father.

Elmore said she mostly operates the grain cart now after making the two-hour drive home primarily in the fall to help with the harvest.

“Pretty much anything I could get my hands on I was trying to do it,” she said.

10 other college students were also chosen as 2021 Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars.

They are: Andrew Anderson, Kansas State University; Shelby Brewer and Mckenzie Carvalho, both of Mississippi State University; Brian Cornish, Auburn University; Matthias Kunerth, South Dakota State University; Naila McCraney, Florida A&M University; Noe’ Nava and Sarah Sellers, both of the University of Illinois; Zachary Neuhofer, Purdue University and Nathanial Trull, Oregon State University.

According to the Farm Foundation, graduate level students are chosen as Agricultural Scholars and will participate for one-year in government and policy work along with hands-on learning experiences.

The purpose is for them to gain a deeper understanding of agriculture and government to inspire them for becoming the next generation of agricultural economists specializing in areas like commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and policy.

Each of the students will work directly with a mentor from USDA’s Economic Research Service and be given the opportunity to attend several professional development and networking events.

“Our mission and vision involve engaging the next generation of food and agricultural leaders and ag economics is certainly a critical discipline for developing emerging leaders,” Rogge-Fidler said.