Graduate student Margaret Lloyd is one of three nominees for White House Farmer — a job that does not exist, but one that she and others are hoping to see in the Obama administration.

“By raising produce at the White House, President Obama’s promise of change can include the most fundamental thing to Americans: the food they eat,” said Lloyd, who studies international agricultural development.

“For the first family, the White House Farm would provide an opportunity to directly engage in agriculture, a place for inspiration and reflection, and the highest-quality, best-tasting food we the people can grow.”

An Illinois farm family started the campaign for White House Farmer, inviting applicants and then conducting an online vote. Organizers said they would submit the names of the top three vote-getters to the White House; Lloyd finished third among 75 candidates.

No word yet on how the White House will respond, but Lloyd is thrilled to be part of the conversation. “Change is here, in our back yards, in our communities and in our White House,” she wrote in a statement that appears at whitehousefarmer.com.

Neal Van Alfen, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said he was proud of Lloyd’s efforts.

“Just the discussion of a White House Farmer opens up the dialogue on the challenges of our food system,” Van Alfen said. “Margaret’s efforts and those of the other White House Farmer nominees are fantastic examples of innovative leadership that build awareness and understanding of the food system and get the public involved in policy decisions that affect food and agriculture.”