USDA 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program winner

When Caitlinn Lineback began her freshman year as a pharmacy student, she says she quickly learned that was not her niche. Instead, she chose a program where she could combine her love of science with her experience in agriculture and she says, “I found my home.”

Now a junior in the Department of Food Science, she also works as an undergrad research assistant where she is currently studying issues related to bacteria in retail environments.

Based on her essay about agricultural careers and challenges, Caitlinn Lineback is a winner of the USDA 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program.

As an AOF winner, Caitlinn will travel to Washington, D.C. where she will network and experience real-world opportunities in agribusiness, research, and agricultural policy. On Feb. 22-23, her week-long tour will conclude at the USDA’s largest annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia where she will hear current leaders share their vision for the future of agriculture.

Caitlinn is excited about her role in the future of agriculture and ways to feed a growing global population. “I like the fact that there are no defined answers. Every day is a new challenge and keeps me on my toes,” Caitlinn said.

Featured Stories

Gary Steinhardt receives award at Ag Alumni Fish Fry.
Contributing to the future--the greatest “Steinyism” of all

Gary Steinhardt’s father once told him that he would never leave their farm because living...

Read More
A woman in a greenhouse uses an aspirator to infest wheat plants with Hessian flies.
Wheat crops receive reinforcements in battle against Hessian fly

A tiny insect called the Hessian fly began plaguing U.S. wheat fields during the American...

Read More
Ag Barometer
Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve

Farmer sentiment improved in October as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose...

Read More
Woman teaching students at Purdue.
Zhao Ma’s journey to her life’s work

Zhao Ma started her academic path pursuing a degree in material physics from the University of...

Read More
Hayley Sutherland
Hayley Sutherland - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight

Hayley Sutherland has always loved taking care of animals. As a child, she adored her Alaskan...

Read More
Man measures trees in forest.
Prototype forest growth model demonstrated for Peru application

The U.S. Forest Service invested decades of work and tens of millions of dollars to develop a...

Read More