HACU and USDA announce 19 Minority-Serving Institutions selected for the USDA Agricultural Export Market Challenge

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service have announced the selection of 19 minority-serving educational institutions to take part in the 2024 USDA Agricultural Export Market Challenge.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Agricultural Export Market Challenge and congratulate the institutions selected to participate this year,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “This learning experience will give students an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow.”

The 2024 Challenge kicks off this week with teams hailing from the following minority-serving institutions:

  • Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis.*
  • California State University, Fresno, Calif.*
  • Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, Calif.*
  • Colorado State University – Pueblo, Colo.
  • Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla.
  • Florida International University, Miami, Fla.
  • Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga.
  • Hartnell College, Salina, Calif.
  • Howard University, Washington, D.C.
  • Inter American University of Puerto Rico – Aguadilla, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
  • Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo.*
  • New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.*
  • North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.*
  • Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas*
  • Regis University, Denver, Colo.
  • San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, Calif.
  • St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas*
  • Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas*
  • Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas

*Denotes teams that have participated in past years

The Challenge is an immersive learning experience for junior- and senior-year undergraduate students to explore the work of FAS and accrue knowledge and skills in diplomacy, economics, marketing, and trade policy.

During the six-week Challenge, teams of students develop and present a market entry strategy for a fictitious American company seeking sales opportunities for a U.S. food or agricultural product in an overseas market. The team that completes and wins the Challenge receives an opportunity to meet with USDA leaders in Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Challenge visit https://fas.usda.gov/market-challenge.

Read the full release here.