Agricultural Business Student Spotlight: Garrett Quade

(December 5, 2021) -- In honor of International Service Day, agricultural business alumnus Garrett Quade is a perfect example of how our students use agriculture to serve others around the world. 

Currently a graduate student at Cornell University in its global development program, his passion in this area was honed by campus study abroad trips and a Peace Corps service experience in Ethiopia.

Learn more how the Lemoore and Five Points native also applied his experience with Quade Agricultural Consulting and Flavor Tree Fruit Company to help build resilient farming communities around the world in this interview.

 

Q: I imagine the Peace Corps work in Ethiopia was a life-changing experience, give us some background.

Quade: "My Peace Corps experience was incredibly enriching, and I was able to learn so much. I lived in a small, rural town in Oromia, Ethiopia from January 2019 until March 2020. Unfortunately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was forced to return home before completing my full 27-month service. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity and for the help I received from Fresno State agricultural business professor Dr. Annette Levi, who strengthened my application for the Peace Corps by writing a great recommendation for me." 

 

Q: What types of projects did you assist with there, and what impact they did they have?

Quade: "My primary focus in Ethiopia was to improve nutrition and crop production with stakeholders and farming families and shared training and new technologies. I worked with community counterparts, and developed cooperative style gardens along with household perma-gardens to directly supply rural communities with diverse crops. Each day brought a different challenge while living in Ethiopia. I was constantly learning new words in the local language to communicate more effectively, and I struggled early on to understand the local ecology. Over time I built friendships and established a deep bond with my entire community that allowed me to learn from the local environment and better understand food sustainability and security."

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State?

Quade: "Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley, I always knew Fresno State had a great reputation for agricultural sciences, so I chose to attend the university to gain an education in agricultural business and to utilize the local resources and connections to build practical and technical skills."

Q: Did any of your family members also attend Fresno State?

Quade: "My mother, Betsy Sharp, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1976 from Fresno State, and my brother, Kevin Quade, received his Bachelor of Science in political science in 2008."

Q: Talk about any internships or part-time jobs you had while a student?

Quade: "I worked part-time for a local agricultural consultant. In this role I helped develop irrigation schedules and pest management strategies for annual and perennial crops and discovered the benefits of precision agriculture in small and large-scale farming. Seeking experience in agricultural commodities marketing and international relations, I chose to pursue an internship in international business after graduating." 

Q: What skills did you gain from these experiences that you could apply to your career?

Quade: "Working as an intern for The Flavor Tree Fruit Company provided opportunities to apply my education in agricultural business on a daily basis, which allowed me to further study global market trends in the commodities exchange. Upon completing the internship, I expanded my role with the company and climbed the ranks to a salary sales position."

Quade: "With this experience, I developed a deeper understanding of food economics and shifted my focus from international business to international agriculture and rural development. From there, I I worked as an agriculture and nutrition development specialist with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia."

 

Q: Did the company have any other Fresno State ties?

Quade: "The Flavor Tree Fruit Company is managed by Fresno State alum Maurice Cameron and the company is always looking to add talented young professionals who have graduated from Fresno State."

Q: Talk about your additional work experience locally since you graduated?

Quade: "At Quade Agricultural Consulting, I worked with an array of row crops that included tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, melons, and cotton, as well as perennial crops such as almonds, pistachios, and grapes." 

 

Q: Discuss how these and any other extra-curricular activities have shaped you. 

Quade: "Looking back on my time at Fresno State, one of my favorite memories is the 'Farm to Fork' study abroad trip to China in 2011 that I attended with the agricultural business department. I wanted to take this trip to broaden my understanding of the global food system and to learn from the Chinese supply chain. This amazing cross-cultural experience positively influenced my personal development and career by opening my eyes to the importance of international affairs." 

 

Q: What were some of the most memorable experiences from your trip to China?

Quade: "Our group visited three Chinese cities and their surrounding areas: Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. We learned about export protocol for agricultural goods coming into China while visiting the American Embassy in Beijing; we participated in cross-cultural programs with Chinese university students; and we visited farming operations to study production and post-harvest storage practices.  We also toured wholesale markets for fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats, and were able to find Central Valley fruits in stock!" 

 

Q: What is your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Quade: "I originally grew up on a ranch in Five Points, and my father worked for Five Points Ranch so I spent every summer of my childhood working in the fields. The ranch primarily farmed row crops, different vegetables, and some perennial nut crops. Living in a rural area provided an early education in food production and consequently ignited my passion for agriculture." 

 

Q: Are there any other interesting notes about yourself that you would like to include?

Quade: "I enjoy cooking and preparing new dishes, often blending spices from around the world with locally grown produce. One of my favorite things to make is Ful Medames using berbere spice (Ethiopian Chile powder)."