Feb. 2, 2026
By Ramie Parsons
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Paid Washington, D.C.-based fellowship for agricultural law students
- Agricultural and water policy in home state of California influenced inaugural recipient
- Honors legacy of ag lawyer and former FSA County Executive Director Scott E. Fancher
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center, in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the NASDA Foundation, announced Madison Mills as the inaugural recipient of the Scott E. Fancher Agricultural Law Fellowship.
FELLOW — Madison Mills, a student at the California Western School of Law, is the inaugural Scott E. Fancher Agricultural Law Fellowship recipient. (Courtesy photo)
The fellowship, a paid Washington, D.C.-based program designed to develop future industry leaders in agricultural law and policy, was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed at NASDA’s annual meeting in September 2025.
Raised in California’s Imperial Valley, Mills developed an interest in agricultural and water law after witnessing how legal and policy decisions directly affect farmers and rural communities.
“I am honored to receive the Scott E. Fancher Agricultural Law Fellowship,” Mills said. “This opportunity allows me to engage directly with agricultural policy while contributing research that supports state departments of agriculture and the producers they serve.”
Mills is a student at California Western School of Law and expects to graduate in May 2027. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2024.
Sustaining a legacy
The fellowship honors the late Scott E. Fancher, an agricultural lawyer, farmer, former Farm Service Agency County Executive Director, mentor and U.S. Marine.
“Scott was a dear friend and was instrumental in helping shape a vision for the National Agricultural Law Center,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the center. “This fellowship is a fitting tribute to his legacy and reflects our shared commitment with NASDA and NASDA Foundation to invest in the next generation of agricultural law professionals.”
To read the full news release, click here.