Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** this project aims to enhance…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** this project aims to enhance agri-related economic activities, bridge knowledge GAP in the agribusiness supply chain, especially among underserved groups including high school and college students, minorities, and tackle issues related to agribusiness, agricultural economics, agricultural finance and agricultural marketing courses/programs of wvsu. The project expects to collect a research database that will help improve the application of policies towards agribusiness program development and enhance student recruitment and retention at wvsu. Furthermore, the research database will be advantageous for state-level policy initiatives concerning agricultural businesses. Thus, the project aligns with the mission of HEC to strengthen institutional capacities in the food and agricultural sciences and rural economic development, including curriculum, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention. The project mainly aligns with the goals 2 and 6 of the CBG program 'ensure america's agricultural system is equitable, resilient, and prosperous' and attract, inspire, and retain an engaged and motivated workforce that's proud to represent USDA. Furthermore, the proposed project is in line with the expectations of the new strategic plan of wvsu in the pillars of 'student engagement and success, academic excellence, research and innovation, and the community engagement and partnership. This project will strengthen capacity, including curriculum development, recruitment, and retention of undergraduate students, and respond to the need for a diverse workforce in the agricultural industry.