The Oct. 2 webinar is an installment in the NALC’s “Growing Careers” series.
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- USDA’s Xochitl Torres Small will present Oct. 3 NALC webinar
- Webinar is part of the “Growing Careers” series for students
- Registration is free-of-charge online
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Students, faculty and student mentors interested in agricultural and food law can hear directly from an attorney who rose from a law office in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to become second-in-command at the United States Department of Agriculture.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small will present the National Agricultural Law Center’s upcoming free webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 2, “Growing Careers in Ag & Food Law: USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.”
The webinar will also feature an opportunity for Q&A, as attendees can send in questions during the presentation.
The webinar is part of the NALC’s Bridges Initiative, a student-focused, public-private partnership that offers professional development, networking, and increased legal knowledge to pre-college, undergraduate, and law students interested in agricultural and food law issues or careers.
“I’ve seen firsthand the deep passion that Deputy Secretary Torres Small has helping bring young people into the ag industry,” NALC Director Harrison Pittman said. “She travels seemingly nonstop, always taking time to meet one on one with students along the way. She brings a unique perspective – she’s an attorney, has served at the highest levels within USDA, and has even served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Prior to taking on her role on July 11, 2023, Torres Small served as the department’s under secretary for Rural Development. Before her time at USDA, Torres Small was a U.S. Representative for the nation’s fifth-largest Congressional district, where she was the first woman and first person of color elected to that district.
Registration for the “Growing Careers” webinar is free of charge and available online. The webinar will begin at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern.
“We encourage pre-college, undergraduate, and law school students to attend this webinar, as well as faculty and other mentors who work with students,” said Pittman.
“Investing in our students is key to the future of agriculture and an effort that I am focused on as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture,” Torres Small said. “The NALC is a tremendous partner to USDA in this, and I’m excited to connect with young people who are interested in agricultural and food law careers.”
To read the full news release, click here.