On March 9 & 10, 2026, ALEI Legal Specialist Megan Todd accompanied two law students to the National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA) Agriculture’s Promise Conference. This was the first time law students from UMB attended the event. Last year, ALEI Legal Specialist Samantha Capaldo at University of Maryland Eastern Shore was a featured speaker and the event and was able to take undergraduate students who had an amazing experience.
The Ag Promise program is designed to bring agricultural student leaders from across the United States to Washington, D.C. for 3 days of leadership and advocacy training where they network, develop talking points, share ideas and become familiar with the governmental process. Students heard from expert speakers who presented bi-partisan perspectives on effective advocacy strategies and careers on the Hill. The highlight of the trip for the law students was the day spent on Capitol Hill meeting with legislative aides working with some of Maryland’s Congressional delegation.
Students Sydney Schuster (3L) and Zara Zeeshan (1L Evening) were able to share and advocate for key areas of agricultural policy that they care deeply about, speaking with the offices of Representatives Johnny Ozlewski, Steny Hoyer, and Senator Van Hollen. And we made time to stop into the offices of MN Representative Ilhan Omar and MD Representative McClain Delaney.
