File:E. Kika De La Garza Fellows Program ceremony on July 11, 2024 at the USDA in Washington D.C. - 13.jpg

English: Lisa Ramirez, Director U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) and Roberto Velasco II, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Forest Service, USDA HACU Leadership Group react to comments during the 2024 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellows ceremony on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the USDA in Washington D.C. 32 faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving School Districts around the nation comprise the 2024 class of E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellows.

Since the E. Kika De La Garza Fellows Program was established in 1998, the USDA has hosted more than 400 faculty and staff, a key effort in strengthening relationships with Hispanic-Serving Institutions nationwide. The EKDLG Fellows came to Washington, D.C. to learn how USDA services and programs can benefit them, their students, and their communities. This effort is part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity in professional development opportunities and build a more diverse pipeline into public service and the agricultural sector.

The E. Kika De La Garza Fellows Program is part of USDA’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program, which is committed to supporting a 21st century agricultural workforce through professional development, workforce development and exposure to opportunities for faculty, staff and students. Through this program, USDA also partners with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to provide high quality internship experiences, placing more than 3,000 interns since 1994. This program demonstrates USDA’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to the Department’s programs, services and resources by underserved groups. (USDA photo by Tom Witham)