Graduate student receives American Association of University Women grant

Katie Tritsch, a Texas State University student pursuing her Master of Science in Integrated Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded a Career Development Grant for 2019-2020 from the American Association of University Women. The grant provides financial assistance to women who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or reenter the workforce. 

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Tritsch worked and managed farms in Austin and California for five years before returning to Texas State to pursue her master’s degree. For the past year, Tritsch has been working for the Small Producers Initiative, a USDA funded program that is housed in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Texas State. Their mission is to provide outreach, training and extension for Texas farmers. 

“I wanted to increase my experience in a professional capacity,” said Tritsch. “I’ve been able to do grant management and lead a conference for the Small Producers Initiative.”

The American Association of University Women’s Career Development Grant program gives primary consideration to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields, such as agriculture. 

“While farming and agriculture are generally considered male-dominated industries in the U.S., women play an incredibly important role in agriculture throughout the world,” said Tritsch. “In my work as a farm manager, I’ve had the opportunity to educate and empower many young women, like myself.”

Tritsch has a year left before graduation, and will continue to work for the Small Producers Initiative as a graduate assistant and a point of contact. She says she aspires to help women along the way. 

“I hope I can help inspire and create opportunities for women to engage in agriculture…not just on the farm, but as advocates, service providers and policymakers.”