Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** food, agriculture, natural…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (fanh) disciplines are essential to national food security, environmental stewardship, and economic stability. Farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other producers rely on a skilled workforce to support production, resource management, regulatory compliance, and adoption of science-based practices. As a large portion of the fanh workforce approaches retirement, demand for well-trained professionals who can directly and indirectly support producers continues to grow. Expanding and stabilizing the domestic fanh workforce is therefore a critical national priority.many students, particularly first-generation and workforce-oriented undergraduates, lack exposure to fanh career pathways despite strong employment prospects. The E3 project at ST. Edward's university will increase the number, retention, and graduation of students prepared to enter fanh careers that serve agricultural producers and natural resource managers. The project will provide educational assistance awards, workforce-focused coursework, mentoring, professional development, and paid internships that emphasize applied skills relevant to producer needs. Through coursework and experiential learning, students will develop competencies in areas such as data analysis, environmental monitoring, food and resource safety, regulatory processes, and communication with producers and stakeholders. These skills will enable graduates to support farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers through roles in research, technical assistance, natural resource management, and federal service.through these efforts, E3 will strengthen institutional capacity to efficiently prepare students for fanh careers and federal service, contributing to a workforce that supports agricultural productivity, responsible resource management, and the long-term viability of U.S. Agriculture.