WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Chantel Simpson was a featured guest on the Purdue Ag Week podcast.

Simpson, assistant professor at North Carolina A&M State University, discussed diversity, equity and inclusion within the agriculture industry.

Here are some highlights from the podcast.

Q: What is diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture?

A: I think people get misconstrued when they hear diversity, equity and inclusion. They think it’s all about race and ethnicity. While that is a part of it, it’s a small part.

While we all look differently and have different experiences, there’s also the way we think — we have cognitive diversity. One of the things I work on in my research is an inventory of how people problem solve. How creative you are, or what type of creativity you have.

Looking at that, the way we navigate a problem is based on cognitive influences and social influences. That’s another level of diversity I like to think about.

At the end of the day, I think we have more in common than we have different. But we allow what we see to cloud our vision from some of those commonalities.

Q: What does diversity, equity and inclusion look like in ag in the future?

A: I think diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture looks like acknowledging that we’re different, and those differences are places of invitation where we can learn from one another. Everybody has something to bring to the table. Bringing those experiences together is going to provide us with better solutions.

Q: What can we do improve diversity, equity and inclusion in ag?

A: I think it comes down to being open minded. Attending spaces, being open to conversation.

Also, it’s good to be friendly. Just offering a friendly handshake, smile or conversation that’s meaningful, but not patronizing. Knowing you can learn from them just as much as they can learn from you. If we can do that, that will change the narrative.

Q: Advice to young people interested in ag?

A: Be open-minded when you hear the term agriculture. Start doing research. Yes, talk to farmers. But also talk to folks in the lab, reach out to the local Extension, ag teachers in schools — find out what’s going on. We’re more than cowboy boots and hats. We have a lot going on.

Have those conversations. Reach out to those people. Ask questions. There’s not a dumb question. Somebody has an answer. You can find a meaningful career in agriculture.