AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SAFETY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A PAUCITY OF GRADUATE STUDENTS AVAILABLE TO FILL THESE POSITIONS; MOREOVER, RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS ARE VASTLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONS. A DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE WILL RESULT IN A STRONGER, MORE CREATIVE, AND EFFECTIVE INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE. CURRENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGY AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) HAS A 2-YEAR EXPERIENTIAL PEST MANAGEMENT M.S. PROGRAM THAT IS DEVELOPED AROUND AN INTERNSHIP RATHER THAN A RESEARCH PROJECT. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS USDA AND NNF GOALS THROUGH EDUCATION OF 6 ADDITIONAL FELLOWS TO OUR PEST MANAGEMENT M.S. PROGRAM IN THE TARGETED EXPERTISE SHORTAGE AREA (TESA) OF AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY. THIS WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES WITH IMPROVED TECHNICAL COMPETENCY FOR THE UNITED STATES WORKFORCE IN THE ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES OF AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY (CODE X) AND PLANT SCIENCES AND HORTICULTURE (CODE P). THEY WILL BE RECRUITED THROUGH EFFORTS DESIGNED TO INCREASE WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND WILL BE BROADLY TRAINED IN THE BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF PLANT DISEASES, WEEDS, AND ARTHROPOD PESTS. EACH FELLOW WILL COMPLETE A GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE, A T-TRAINING CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM, A COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING ACTIVITY, AND A PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING ACTIVITY. IN ADDITION, THEY WILL COMPLETE ONE PAID INTERNSHIP, A PROFESSIONAL PAPER, AND PARTICIPATE IN AN AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY SEMINAR SERIES. OUR DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE, AND UNIVERSITY WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THIS PROJECT THROUGH SUPPORT OF STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND TRAVEL, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND NETWORKING WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. WE WILL TRACK EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT OF GRADUATES FOLLOWING PROGRAM COMPLETION.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $0 | 5/1/25 | ||
| Not listed | $246.0k | 5/27/21 |