Michigan Ag Connection - NIFA Invests $17.2 Million for Ag Education and Workforce Development

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NIFA Invests $17.2 Million for Ag Education and Workforce Development
Michigan Ag Connection - 05/06/2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced Wednesday an investment of $17.2 million for 37 awards in Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates. This program is funded through NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

"Developing the next generation of research, education and extension professionals in food and agricultural sciences is critical to the growth of the agriculture industry," said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. "NIFA programs support colleges, universities and technical education institutions to ensure a steady pipeline of talent to fuel the future workforce."

Two Michigan State University projects received funding.

"Summer Food Systems Fellowship: Developing the Skills of the Future Veterinary Agricultural Workforce through Research and Extension Internships" will enhance the technical and leadership skills of the future agricultural workforce by providing value-added on-the-job summer internship experiences to diverse populations of veterinary students from Michigan State University (MSU) and Tuskegee University (TU). Each year, 10 multicultural veterinary students will complete mentored summer research and extension experiences related to animal agriculture at MSU and with partner organizations in industry. In addition, training and career exploration sessions related to veterinary food supply medicine will be offered to the students.

"Crossing-Paths: Cross-Cultural Exchange on Cross-Bred Cattle Markets" is a collaboration between Michigan State University (MSU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the U.S. and Chungnam National University in South Korea. This program addresses a gap in undergraduate agriculture education by providing national and international experience(s) to students in order to enhancing the soft skills and cultural awareness needed to be successful members of the future agricultural workforce. The program will also educate and engage participants in creating a premium beef product in order to address a buildingmarket need for high quality beef products to meet demands of a changing consumer base. Undergraduate students (n=80) from the U.S. will participate in a suite of experiences -including instruction, extension, research, and a marketing competition - designed to enhance participants' knowledge, communication, and leadership skills as well as their ability to compete in a tightening market for beef and dairy products. Surveys and interviews with participating students as well as program mentors will evaluate the extent to which student knowledge, ability, and interest in cattlemarket careers are enhanced by the program. Through broad recruitment, attention to cross-cultural exchange, and opportunities for research engagement, the program anticipates two important societal outcomes. First, the program seeks to increase the participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities and women in agricultural careers. Second, the program anticipates producing vital collaborations and research outcomes that will influence how cross-breeding impacts beef product quality and marketability.

Other project examples from the Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates priority area include: Texas A&M University-Kingsville's project, "The Drone WAVE Factor (drone use for women advancement, visibility and experiences in food and agriculture cyberinformatics and tools oriented to research)," to recruit, train, mentor, and graduate the next generation of women professionals with competitive geospatial sciences and technology skills. University of Hawaii's project, "Empowering Women and Underrepresented Undergraduates with Advanced Technology Research Training in Agriculture and Food Sciences," to develop the local agriculture and food science industry workforce in Hawaii through education and training. Clemson University's project, "Florece!: Future Leaders Obtaining Research & Extension Career Experiences," to prepare 40 undergraduate students to become globally-engaged professionals with world-class research and extension skills that allow them to identify critical factors that impact the sustainability of agricultural systems.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and Extension across the nation to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA supports initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture and applies an integrated approach to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries in agriculture-related sciences and technologies reach the people who can put them into practice. In FY2020, NIFA's total investment was $1.95 billion.

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