The Annual MANRRS Career Fair and Training Conference creates a platform for junior high and high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, and research and education professionals to network and share science-based research ideas. Johnny spent many hours speaking with students and professionals about Forest Service research and opportunities for internships and positions with the agency. He distributed Southern Research Station brochures detailing the scope of its research work units and their science areas. As Johnny talked with students, a reoccurring theme emerged: “I didn’t realize the Forest Service did that type [climate change, regional and national scale modeling, etc.] of research.” This is a vital reason for Forest Service employees to participate in these training conferences.

Next year, Johnny plans to set up a booth with more information about internships and career opportunities in Forest Service research with examples of how this research shapes national and international policy.

MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences) was founded at Michigan State University in 1986 under the theme “Progressive Agriculture in the Eighties.” With 21 annual conferences and many success stories in its past, MANRRS is continuing to increase awareness and focus in minority communities. The national organization and the many local university chapters are responsible for diversifying the professional ranks in a variety of environmental fields ranging from ecology to agribusiness. Many of these professionals are responsible for providing vital stewardship and long-term management and planning for our natural resources in the US and abroad. MANRRS is an organization focused on increasing minority involvement and participation in agriculture and other related sciences while maintaining and producing high quality science outputs.

Jr. MANRRS is one of the corner stones of the MANRRS organization. As with any profession or organization, its long-term success is anchored in how future talent is cultivated. Jr. MANRRS chapters located at Penn State University, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Purdue University, and Tuskegee University were in St. Louis to participate in the conference. Participants competed in public speaking, research oral presentation (individual and group), and research poster contests. These Jr. MANRRS participants are our future leaders, managers, and policy makers. We must continue to formally and informally engage them while realizing that many minorities are not involved in natural resources and related sciences because they are not aware of the career opportunities.

To learn more about MANRRS go to http://www.manrrs.org/.