This four-year, $975,314 project grant from the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, under the Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Grants program (CFDA 10.223), supports the Broadening Agriculture Science Education II consortium. The consortium, led by Florida International University in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and New Mexico State University, aims to recruit, educate, and develop 15 baccalaureate and 11 masters students from Hispanic communities in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences with a concentration in agroecology and sustainable agriculture.
Key deliverables include providing scientific training and experiential learning opportunities to students; preparing them for careers in the agriculture industry; and enhancing agriculture science education quality through interstate collaboration. Activities include research, internships, cross-campus student exchanges, workshops, and webinars. The sub-awardees will recruit and support students participating in the program, including graduate research projects conducted in collaboration with USDA agencies. The funding supports the consortium's efforts to foster a scientifically rigorous agriculture science education for Hispanic students and prepare them for technical careers and further education.