Rooted in Resilience: AAEC Students Represent Virginia Tech at IFAMA in Ireland
Four undergraduate students tested their skills on a global stage while learning from agribusiness leaders, scholars, and students from around the world.
In June 2026, four students from Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics traveled to Cork, Ireland, to represent the university at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association’s (IFAMA) annual conference and undergraduate student case competition. The Virginia Tech team included Diego Cuadra ’27, Alex Fuentes ’26, Abby Johnson ’27, and Amanda Thrasher ’26, along with Normand Adams, undergraduate advisor.
Beginning in the spring, the team practiced analyzing unfamiliar business situations, developing recommendations under time pressure, and communicating their ideas clearly and professionally. It was rewarding to watch this particular group become more confident, learn to rely on one another’s strengths, and embrace the responsibility of representing our department on an international stage. By the time they arrived in Cork, the students were excited to compete and eager to take full advantage of the academic symposium, business forum, industry tours, networking events, and cultural experiences surrounding the competition.
The IFAMA experience goes well beyond the student case competition. The annual conference brought together students, leading agribusiness scholars, senior industry professionals, and food and agricultural organizations from around the world. Over the course of one week, our students learned from leading researchers in agribusiness scholarship, engaged with industry leaders, and interacted with professionals and executives from global companies such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, and JBS (including the Chairman of the Board!). How often does an undergraduate student get that many perspectives in one place?
This experience was made possible through the support of CALS Global and the generosity of our supporters Dr. Robert and Teresa Grisso, Jr., J. and Renae Pearson, The John C. Watkins Excellence Fund for the Agribusiness Mentorship Program, and the Donald & Evelyn Mitchell endowment fund. This support helps students with opportunities to represent Virginia Tech internationally, learn directly from leading voices in global agribusiness, and participate in experiences that continue to shape their academic and professional development long after the conference.
Representing Virginia Tech on the Global Stage
The IFAMA student case competition challenges undergraduate teams to evaluate real-world agribusiness problems and present their recommendations to a panel of academic and industry judges. As part of the conference, the student team competed in a themed case competition focused on Ireland’s agricultural policy, exploring how agritech businesses in Ireland could learn from strategies used in other countries and identify practices that could be adapted and implemented.
Working under significant time constraints, students must identify the central business problem, analyze available information, develop a practical strategy, and defend their recommendations. The experience draws on technical knowledge, teamwork, adaptability, professional communication, and the ability to make decisions when there is no single perfect answer.
For the Virginia Tech team, the competition provided an opportunity to apply the skills they had practiced throughout the spring while representing their department alongside students from universities around the world. The competition served as a central part of the trip and became the starting point for a much broader learning experience.
Exploring research at an academic symposium
The academic symposium brought together leading scholars and emerging researchers presenting work on food security, technological innovation, sustainability, consumer behavior, agricultural finance, and the resilience of global food systems.
The conference theme, “Rooted in Resilience: Revitalizing Agri-Food Systems for an Uncertain Tomorrow,” appeared throughout the sessions the students attended.
Diego’s favorite session, 'Beyond Partnerships: Driving Real Impact Together,' featured Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO. He was particularly interested in an initiative using artificial intelligence to study genetic traits associated with heat tolerance in sorghum.
“This made me realize that having a resilient food system is not only about making food and profit. It’s about having a cohesive system where companies, governments, universities, and producers are all working toward shared goals.”
Amanda attended 'Finding Common Ground: Generational Collaboration in Agribusiness,' led by Kristin Pronschinske and Michelle Marais. Participants ranging from Gen Z to the Silent Generation discussed how people across generations approach work, communication, and collaboration.
“I would love to see more implementation of this talk in the future to bridge the gap between generations further.”
Alex attended a University of Guelph presentation examining how planning and convenience could encourage plant-forward food choices among university students experiencing food insecurity. He was struck by both the prevalence of student food insecurity and the amount of research involved in understanding and influencing consumer choices.
“It made me realize how much thought and number-crunching goes behind pushing alternative food choices to consumers.”
Abby attended a presentation on the 'Bio-Psycho-Financial Model for Modern Farm Dissolutions.' Kevin Fitzpatrick, a sociology professor at the University of Arkansas, discussed a proposed “farm doula team” that could bring a farmer’s banker, loan officer, doctor, Extension agent, and other professionals together to address farm succession, financial stress, and family well-being.
“It was interesting to hear about how the model would work and ideas from not only the agricultural departments at the University of Arkansas, but also from their psychology and sociology professionals. I am looking forward to seeing how the program will play out.”
Together, these sessions exposed the students to the range of disciplines and perspectives involved in addressing challenges facing agriculture and food systems.
Connecting with academia and industry
The IFAMA Business Forum brought students into conversations with agribusiness executives, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and professionals working throughout the food and agricultural supply chain.
For Alex, the forum offered a rare opportunity to hear directly from experienced agribusiness professionals about technological change, emerging international trade opportunities, and the role of younger employees in today’s workplace.
“It was neat to hear experienced professionals share their perspectives on the current agribusiness industry, including how their businesses are responding to new technologies and multinational trade opportunities. I also found it insightful to hear how senior leaders view younger and less-experienced employees and their role in modern agribusiness workplaces.”
Abby particularly valued the opportunity to interact personally with professionals from across the agribusiness industry, including during the networking mixer at University College Cork.
“It was so cool to talk and network with professionals from different areas of agribusiness. The Business Forum speakers were very knowledgeable and passionate about their respective areas of the agriculture industry, and they were very willing to share advice with younger generations like us.”
Amanda viewed the forum as an important bridge between academic learning and professional practice. She was able to meet both industry professionals and academics and continued some of those conversations after the conference.
“I felt like this was one of the most valuable parts of the conference for me because I can continue these connections outside of the conference.”
Networking goes beyond exchanging business cards. It creates opportunities to learn from others, ask thoughtful questions, and begin building professional relationships that continue after the conference.
Experiencing Ireland’s food and beverage industries
The industry and cultural tours gave the students another way to connect conference discussions with real businesses, products, and communities.
Diego and Amanda visited the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, where they learned how Irish whiskey production has evolved. The tour explored the company’s history, its production process, and the different countries and supply relationships involved in creating Irish whiskey.
The students saw both historical and modern production methods, and concluded the visit with lunch and a demonstration of how the company’s products are presented to visitors and consumers.
Abby and Alex joined Normand for a food tour of Cork and its historic English Market. The market’s roots date to the early 1700s, and many of its vendors have operated there for generations.
The group sampled oysters from a fishmonger in the English Market, Palestinian food from a restaurant in downtown Cork, and chocolate from a local shop where they learned about the production process from start to finish.
“Cork is such a vibrant town, and I loved seeing how the different cultures interacted through the food landscape. This was by far one of the coolest experiences I’ve had, and it will be a memory I’ll always cherish.”
These experiences added an important dimension to the conference. Food and agribusiness extend far beyond the classroom and conference room. They are embedded in the histories, identities, businesses, and everyday lives of communities around the world.
Learning that lasts beyond the journey
The trip challenged the students academically and professionally while also giving them space to explore, build friendships, experience another culture, and think more broadly about their futures.
They returned to Virginia Tech with stronger communication and problem-solving skills, new professional relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of global agrifood systems. Just as importantly, they returned with greater confidence in their ability to participate in those systems.
Creating access to world-class global experiences like this is a key part of what we hope to accomplish through the Bridge Experience and our broader experiential learning initiatives. These opportunities help students develop analytical problem-solving, teamwork, public speaking, professional networking, cultural awareness, and the confidence to contribute in unfamiliar environments.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make this opportunity possible, including the faculty and staff who supported the students’ preparation and travel, the professionals and scholars who generously shared their expertise, and the donors and university partners whose support allows students to participate in experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.
Investments in experiential learning create opportunities that students often remember for the rest of their lives. They also prepare students to enter their careers with greater curiosity, confidence, and understanding of the world they will help shape.
We are proud of Alex, Diego, Abby, and Amanda for the work they put into preparing for the competition, the professionalism with which they represented Virginia Tech, and the enthusiasm they brought to every part of the IFAMA experience.
By Mario Ortez
Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and Bridge Experience Program Director