Project Grant 20237050840531

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** INSECT SCIENCE AND PLANT SCIENCE (ISPS) PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO FACE A CONCERNING DECLINE IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT ACROSS U.S. INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. THIS TREND IS PARTICULARLY PRONOUNCED IN PEST MANAGEMENT DISCIPLINES, PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES, AND THE USDA WORKFORCE. MANY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NO LONGER OFFER DEGREES OR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS IN ISPS, AND EXISTING CURRICULA RARELY PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OR IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION OF CRITICAL CHALLENGES IN CROP PRODUCTION, CROP PROTECTION, FOOD SECURITY, FOOD SAFETY, AND SAFEGUARDING U.S. AGRICULTURE FROM PESTS AND DISEASES. AS A RESULT, STUDENTS HAVE LIMITED EXPOSURE TO THE RELEVANCE AND CAREER POTENTIAL OF THESE FIELDS. TO ADDRESS THIS GAP, FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY (FAMU) AND FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU) ARE PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (UF), USDA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE (ARS), USDA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE (APHIS), THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES (FDACS), AND THE PEST CONTROL INDUSTRY. THIS COLLABORATION IS DESIGNED TO BUILD INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL PIPELINES CONNECTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE. THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP INNOVATIVE, STUDENT-CENTERED PROGRAMS THAT INTEGRATE INTERACTIVE AND DIGITAL LEARNING TOOLS WITH MENTORSHIPS, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF INSECT AND PLANT SCIENCES, THE IMPORTANCE OF PEST MANAGEMENT, AND THE PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO GRADUATES. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAMS WILL FOSTER LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS WHILE CREATING EARLY PATHWAYS FOR FUTURE PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS. BY ENHANCING RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, THIS INITIATIVE WILL CULTIVATE A SKILLED WORKFORCE PREPARED TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE. STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND ESTABLISHING CLEAR CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS WILL ENSURE A STEADY PIPELINE OF WELL-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS CAPABLE OF ADVANCING U.S. AGRICULTURE.