How this scholarship program grows agriculture’s future leaders

 

Belief is a powerful thing. 

Just ask Taylor Cain. 

Taylor is studying agribusiness at Mississippi’s Alcorn State University, the nation’s oldest historically Black land-grant institution. She’s also a scholar in the Cargill University thrive Program, created to expand equitable access to agriculture and science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) careers for women and historically underrepresented students. 

For Taylor, being a scholar is about more than the financial support.

"Receiving the scholarship wasn't just about the money; it was about knowing that people believed in my potential," says Taylor, who adds that someday she wants to help make agriculture more efficient and sustainable. "This support takes the stress away. It allows me to focus on my studies while engaging in extracurricular activities that enrich my college experience." 

As a THRIVE scholar, Taylor is seizing career-building opportunities, such as a summer internship in Cargill’s salt business, resume-writing and personal-branding workshops, and the helpful guidance of a mentor.

"Having a mentor who provides honest feedback and encouragement has been incredibly beneficial," Taylor notes. "THRIVE has given me the tools and confidence to pursue my career goals. The support from Cargill has been invaluable."

 

Breaking down barriers to college access 

Cargill CEO Brian Sikes (center, second from right) with THRIVE program participants at Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

Beyond financial aid, the Cargill University thrive Program is a pathway to fulfilling careers for many students like Taylor. 

Since its start in 2021, the program has awarded 760 scholarships as part of the nearly $6 million investment. But that’s not all:

• Alcorn State University — where Taylor attends — has graduated 23 THRIVE scholars and had an 83% placement rate in corporate roles or continuing education.
• We’ve funded seven new university chapters and 30 junior chapters at the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). 
• Through the MANRRS sponsorship, we’ve also hired 13 members into intern and associate positions.

Now, we’re looking to the future: Cargill plans to give out 600 more scholarships over the next three years, totaling an additional $6 million investment. Through this expansion, we aim to deepen our partnership with HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and educational associations to support more students.

“These scholarships are part of our commitment to build a better future, invest in a stronger and more inclusive community, and support future talent in a meaningful way,” says Florian Schattenmann, Cargill’s chief technology officer and a THRIVE program executive sponsor. “By expanding the reach of THRIVE, we can support even more students and create equitable opportunities for historically underserved students.”

 

From THRIVE scholar to Cargill supervisor

Ernest Dixon III, a THRIVE alum, is now a plant supervisor at a Cargill facility in Reserve, Louisiana.

For Ernest Dixon III, the THRIVE program has brought him full circle. 

Ernest wasn't supposed to graduate high school. At least, that’s what people told him.

To some, the Atlanta native's auditory processing disorder — a condition that disrupts the way his brain understands what he’s hearing — meant he wasn’t supposed to make it past 10th grade. He should consider working instead. To Ernest, it meant he had to work harder to pursue his goal: going to college for agriculture.

Cargill was there to support his journey: Ernest was part of the inaugural class of THRIVE scholars.

Ernest's hands-on internship at a Cargill grain facility in Westwego, Louisiana, was a turning point in his journey. "This was an entirely new experience for me and clarified my career goals," Ernest explains. 

The internship led to a full-time role at the company, where he’s worked his way up to a plant supervisor at our facility in Reserve, Louisiana. There, he oversees the unloading of barges and rail cars full of soybeans, corn and wheat, which are then shipped all over the world.

In his role today, Ernest is passionate about mentoring new program scholars and giving back to the community. 

"I believe in the concept of empowering students through knowledge and the impact of giving back by teaching the next generation of future agriculturalists,” Ernest says. “By mentoring new scholars, I hope to help them maximize their potential and succeed in their careers.”

 

Learn more about the Cargill University thrive Program.

 

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