Grad Student & Early Career Professional Development Series
Virtual
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- Tuesday, April 14, 2026
iCalendar
Central Standard Time
This four-part professional development webinar series requires just one registration, granting participants access to all four sessions.
Sponsored by the Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) and Bayer.
March 17, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central - Lights, camera, data! How to turn your results into stories that inspire action
Behind every dataset is a human story waiting to be told. This session combines cognitive science, adult learning best practices, and theater to support you in connecting your data to that story because that’s what supports audiences in understanding, remembering, and taking action.
You’ll learn how to:
- Define your shift: identify the mental, emotional, or behavioral change you want your audience to experience because of your data.
- Analyze your audience: uncover how your data fits into their world and why it matters to them.
- Shape your story: use the Hook → Act 1(the Setup) → Act 2 (the Struggle)→ Act 3 (the Resolution/the Shift) method to turn results into a clear, compelling narrative with purpose and emotion.
You’ll leave with a structure and mindset for bringing your data to life so it moves from information to impact.
March 26, 2026 11am - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central - From research to reality: connecting science, products & the supply chain
How does scientific research become a product in a farmer’s field? This webinar traces the full journey from lab discovery to field trials to commercial adoption. Attendees will gain insight into how farmers evaluate and purchase inputs such as fertilizers and biologicals, and better understand the interconnected ecosystem of agriculture including industry, extension, retailers, and the broader supply chain.
You’ll learn:
- How research moves from lab → field trials → products.
- Understanding the logistics and buying process for farmers (fertilizer, biologicals, inputs).
- The “ecosystem of agriculture” — industry, extension, retailers, supply chain.
April 9, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central - Emerging technologies and their career implications
This webinar explores how emerging technologies are being applied in research and development from data analysis to biological product discovery and what these shifts mean for future careers.
You’ll learn:
- How to gain base knowledge, skills, and connections to thrive in AI and tech-enabled agriculture.
- What AI and new technologies mean for agronomy, crop science, and soil research.
- Opportunities for graduate students: how to gain base knowledge, skills, and connections to thrive in AI-enabled agriculture.
April 14, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central - Relationship-building in agriculture
Strong relationships are the foundation of success in agriculture. This webinar focuses on practical communication and persuasion skills for working with farmers, colleagues, and employers. Attendees will learn how to handle objections and rejection with confidence, strengthen professional interactions, and build long-term, trust-based relationships that support career growth and impact.
You’ll learn:
- Communication skills when working with farmers, peers, or employers.
- Handling objections and rejection constructively.
- Persuasion skills when working with farmers, peers, or employers.
- Building long-term relationships with growers and stakeholders.
- Practical role-play or case study exercise (e.g., pitching a new practice or product to a skeptical farmer).
CEUs:
CCA/CPAg: 3.0 Professional Development and 1.0 Precision Agriculture
CPSS/CPSC: 4.0 Professional Meetings
Price:
Members/Certified professionals: Free
Non-members: $220.00