"Farmers on both sides of the Atlantic face many of the same challenges and have so much to gain from learning and working together. This fellowship is a unique opportunity for young leaders from the EU and the U.S. to connect, innovate, and shape the future of agriculture through farm visits, lectures and workshops. By supporting young farmers’ entry into the profession and fostering transatlantic cooperation, we’re not just investing in careers, but in the resilience, sustainability, and innovation of agriculture that will secure food systems for generations to come." - European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen
Cohort 1
In the fall of 2025 I was lucky to be selected for the first cohort of the Transatlantic Sustainable Transition Initiative (TSTI) E.U.-U.S. Fellowship for Young Leaders in Agriculture sponsored by the European Union. 14 European and 14 American young famers were selected. With varied backgrounds we met every other week for a 2 hour zoom class learning about food systems and agricultural policy on both sides of the Atlantic. The class really bonded and true fellowship happened during both week long trips where we learned that we have a lot more in common than differences.
Europe Trip
In April on 2026 the fellows finally got to meet in person in Europe. The trip started in the Netherlands touring Wageningen University & Research and several farms and experiment stations. The group then traveled to Brussels where we really examined E.U. Agricultural policy. We had the opportunity to meet with a couple Members of Parliament and the E.U. Commissioner of Agriculture.
U.S. Trip
In June of 2026 the group met again this time in the United States. The trip started in D.C. where we met with both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees including the House Chair Representative G.T. Thompson. The second half of the week was spent touring farms in Virginia.
