Project Grant 20237044040176

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYBERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (BCC) RECOGNIZES THE CHANGING SKILL DEMANDS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD INDUSTRIES, THE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC ON FARMING PRACTICES, AND THE NEED TO OFFER CONSUMERS AND EMPLOYERS FOOD SOURCE AND SUPPLY OPTIONS PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, THE NEXTGEN PROJECT WILL BUILD THE COLLEGE'S CAPACITY TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FUTURE USDA AND REGIONAL WORKFORCE NEEDS WITHIN DIVERSE INDUSTRIES SUPPORTING FOOD, AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND HUMAN (FANH) SCIENCES AND CAREER CLUSTERS.THE PROJECT SUPPORTS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP, STUDENT MENTORSHIPS (PEER, FACULTY AND EMPLOYER), EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DRIVEN BY LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING (FPP) SYSTEMS SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FARM TO TABLE, FOOD PRODUCTION AND SAFETY PRACTICES; ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SYSTEMS (ESS) SUPPORTING INSTRUMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY IN WASTE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING; AND PLANT SYSTEMS (PS) DEVELOPING LEARNING LABS FOR HYDROPONICS, AND CREATE COMMUNITY FARMING OPPORTUNITIES RECOGNIZING CULTURAL PRACTICES; AND AGRI-BUSINESS SYSTEMS (ABS) SUPPORTING THE STUDY OF BUSINESS PRINCIPLES, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND FINANCE, AND THEIR APPLICATION TO ENTERPRISES ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THROUGH INCREASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES, THE PROJECT ALSO HOPES TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITIES BY SUPPORTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO SOURCE THEIR OWN GROWN FOOD PRODUCTS, AND BCC TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS, STUDENT CAMPUS GROWN, HARVESTED AND PREPARED OPTIONS FOR ITS FOOD PANTRY TO HELP ADDRESS THE HUNGER NEEDS OF PEERS.THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE AWARENESS AND INTEREST IN FANH AND CAREER PATHWAYS AT USDA TARGETING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ENROLLED BCC STUDENTS, AND UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, INCLUDING HISPANIC, OTHER MINORITY AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. IT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS PROGRAMMATIC GAPS IN PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING IN KEY FANH SYSTEM AREAS LEADING TO WORK EXPERIENCE, EMPLOYMENT, CERTIFICATION AND DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FANH OCCUPATION EXPLORATION, EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES IN REGIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL FOR MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS OVER THE FIVE- YEAR GRANT PERIOD. IT WILL ALSO DEVELOP PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO INCREASE PAID EMPLOYMENT AND/OR CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES IN FANH RELATED OCCUPATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DISABLED, INCLUDING NEURODIVERSE YOUTH AND ADULTS.