Enhancing Student Learning Experiences and Providing Value to the Agribusiness Industry by Building the Industry-Institution Interface

This paper addresses agribusiness industry-institution interfaces, research-education linkages, and improving agribusiness education with opportunities such as agricultural students’ internships with agribusiness companies, conducting applied research, and finding opportunities for agribusiness educational seminars conducted by universities. The rationale for agribusiness internships is discussed, and agribusiness internship structure and planning is outlined. The potential benefits of a Departmental Advisory Board are listed, along with suggestions for implementing such a group. Applied agribusiness research opportunities including case studies and extension, outreach, or trade publications are highlighted, and examples of this type of work are discussed. Finally, continuing education opportunities for agribusiness conferences or symposiums hosted and organized by a university Department of Agribusiness are delineated.