Introducing Hunter: FOH’s Newest Fellow

We are excited to welcome Hunter Adkins to the Field of Hope family as our newest fellow! With a strong foundation in faith and a passion for agriculture, Hunter is eager to contribute to our mission of empowering communities through agricultural education and leadership development.

Hunter’s introduction to Field of Hope came through one of his mentors and our 2023 Fellow, Rebekah McCarty, who recognized the alignment between his values and our organization’s mission. Rebekah’s enthusiastic recommendation two years ago sparked Hunter’s interest, and now, as a new member of the Field of Hope community, he is eager to deepen his relationships and make a meaningful impact.

Hunter said his decision to apply for the fellowship was driven by his desire for personal and professional growth. Field of Hope’s faith-based approach and commitment to serving others through agriculture resonated deeply with him.

He said, “FOH’s values align with my own; from being faith based to wanting to serve others through the lens of Agriculture. I am ecstatic to be working within the Youth Agriculture Education and Leadership Development pillars. I can not wait to work alongside the Ugandan teams to help advance Ugandan agriculture and agriculture education. ”

Hunter’s journey to Uganda begins on July 8th, with his arrival in the country set for July 10th. He will be living in Lira and working with Field of Hope until September 23rd. During this time, Hunter is most excited about visiting schools and building strong, personalized connections with the youth of Uganda. He is passionate about teaching them more about agriculture and sharing his faith, hoping that this experience will foster mutual growth and learning.

At Field of Hope, we are delighted to have Hunter join us on this journey. His commitment to our mission and his eagerness to learn and serve inspire us all. Stay tuned for updates on Hunter’s adventures and experiences in Uganda—his journey promises to be filled with growth, discovery, and impactful connections.

Introducing Meikah: Our Newest Field of Hope Fellow

We are delighted to introduce Meikah Dado, our newest addition to the Field of Hope family! With a passion for equitable agricultural education and a heart for empowering women in agriculture, Meikah embodies the values and vision of our organization.

Meikah’s journey with Field of Hope began during her first year of her master’s program at Texas A&M University in 2020. Intrigued by the stories shared by individuals directly involved with Field of Hope, she was drawn to our mission of creating equitable opportunities within agricultural education. Since then, Meikah has actively participated in our events, including the Walk for Women 6K, and has been a dedicated supporter of our annual Sowing Seeds of Hope campaign.

What inspired Meikah to apply for the fellowship was our organization’s commitment to supporting agricultural education through three key pillars: Inspiring Students in Agriculture, Smallholder Farmer Advancement, and Leadership Development. As she delved deeper into our work and witnessed firsthand the impact of our initiatives during a visit to Uganda, Meikah’s resolve to contribute to our mission only grew stronger. Particularly drawn to our efforts in empowering women in agriculture, she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to learn and contribute in this area. She expressed this by stating, “Field of Hope is empowering individuals to choose their own path in the agricultural industry and have the skills and resources to overcome barriers they may face. Throughout my experience interacting with Field of Hope, I have admired their commitment to their values and how they have exemplified them through their sustainable work within the Ugandan agricultural industry.”

Meikah’s journey to Uganda will commence in early June, and she will be staying until the beginning of September. Throughout her time there, she looks forward to immersing herself in Ugandan culture, building meaningful relationships, and working directly alongside farmers, teachers, and students. She sees this experience as a chance for personal and professional growth, driven by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those she encounters. Meikah said this experience will provide her with, “hands-on learning regarding tropical agriculture and smallholder farming that I cannot learn through a textbook. I am looking forward to the early mornings and long days, working in a field or in a classroom, trips to the market, building relationships, and asking questions.”

At Field of Hope, we are honored to welcome Meikah as our newest fellow. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to our mission inspire us all, and we cannot wait to witness the impact she will undoubtedly make during her time in Uganda. Stay tuned for updates on Meikah’s journey as she shares her experiences through future blog posts—we are certain they will be filled with both challenges and moments of profound growth. Together, let us continue empowering individuals and supporting agricultural development in Uganda and beyond.