FFAR
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We established the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund in honor of our pioneering Executive Director Dr. Sally Rockey. We aim to raise $1.5 million, which when matched with FFAR funds, will provide $3 million to make the Program’s rigorous professional development training accessible to all participants.
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After a 35-year career pioneering bold food and agriculture science, Dr. Rockey has retired. In addition to her numerous scientific contributions, she is also a passionate advocate for early-career scientists.
To honor her commitment and dedication to young scientists, we are establishing the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund. We aim to raise $1.5 million, which when matched, will provide $3 million to endow the professional development track of the FFAR Fellows Program.
The FFAR Fellows Program has endowed me with the tools and skills needed to take my graduate education to the next level through both professional development and personal accountability in setting and achieving my goals, for my degree and my future career. Alison Deviney North Carolina State University, FFAR Fellow 2018-2021
The FFAR Fellows Program has endowed me with the tools and skills needed to take my graduate education to the next level through both professional development and personal accountability in setting and achieving my goals, for my degree and my future career.
Watch Dr. Rockey’s retirement celebration from February 2022 with a special panel featuring the FFAR Fellows
Research and innovation are essential to tackling critical food and agriculture challenges – and such advancements are significantly more valuable when widely discussed and implemented. The FFAR Fellows Program offers not only professional development opportunities and mentorship, but also research opportunities. These professional development trainings teach participants to convey their findings to policymakers, farmers and industry stakeholders, ensuring their results advance food and agriculture.
Fellows must secure an external sponsor to fund their participation and comply with FFAR’s matching requirement. These trainings cost $10,000 a year, and FFAR provides $5,000 annually to participants who secure the matching funds. Fellows must secure the remaining $5,000 a year for each of the Program’s three years ($15,000 total) to participate in these trainings.
Securing additional funding for professional development puts some Fellows at a disadvantage. Fellows from smaller universities or those with less-established research departments may struggle to secure the funding to participate in the Program. Additionally, fellows whose research falls outside of what is traditionally sponsored by organizations may find securing these funds difficult. Not only does securing additional funding limit some fellows, but it also stifles the diversity of perspectives that are represented in food and agriculture.
The Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund aims to make funding available to all Fellows, thereby easing the financial burden on applicants and increasing participation in the Program. The Fund can also bolster the diversity of participants and their research and increase participants’ effectiveness as scientists.
Participating as a FFAR Fellow has been transformational in evolving my professional skills, notably communication, networking and leadership skills. It has provided me the tools and resources to get out of my ‘grad bubble’ and think outside the box. I feel empowered to consider career choices outside academic research. Lovepreet Singh University of Maryland, FFAR Fellow 2018-2021
Participating as a FFAR Fellow has been transformational in evolving my professional skills, notably communication, networking and leadership skills. It has provided me the tools and resources to get out of my ‘grad bubble’ and think outside the box. I feel empowered to consider career choices outside academic research.
Dr. Rockey has prioritized supporting the next generation of food and agriculture scientists since joining FFAR in 2015. She understands that pioneering science is only possible with a diverse, creative scientific workforce. Under Dr. Rockey’s leadership, FFAR has established five fellowships, grants and awards that provide unique research opportunities for the next generation of scientists.
By championing the next generation of food and agriculture scientists, the Foundation is also taking an important step in making agriculture an attractive field for aspiring scientists.... Our goal is to train, encourage, and inspire future generations of agricultural and food scientists. SALLY ROCKEY, Ph.D.. Executive DirectorExcerpt from Dr. Rockey’s 2017 testimony at the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s hearing, “Agricultural Research: Perspectives on Past and Future Successes for the 2018 Farm Bill”
By championing the next generation of food and agriculture scientists, the Foundation is also taking an important step in making agriculture an attractive field for aspiring scientists.... Our goal is to train, encourage, and inspire future generations of agricultural and food scientists.
By contributing to the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund, we can advance food and agriculture research by providing young researchers professional skills that allow them to broaden the scope, reach and influence of their work.
Fellow Innovator
Fellow Benefactor
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Donors who contribute $1,000 or more will receive the following benefits:
Amount
$100,000 and above
Benefits
$50,000 – $99,999
$15,000 – $49,999
$1,000 – $14,999
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