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 grant proposal seeks funding…

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 grant proposal seeks funding for a pioneering initiative aimed at bridging the equity GAP in the poultry industry for historically underrepresented groups. Collaborators california state university fresno, university of puerto rico at mayag & uuml; EZ, iowa state university, and california poly state university SAN luis obispo, will revolutionize workforce preparation and professional advancement for underrepresented student populations in the turkey and laying HEN industries. This project will integrate a multidisciplinary approach to poultry science education and workforce development by developing online modules and training workshops that cover animal health, food safety, farm enhancement, and the economic impact of welfare standards, while also incorporating edutainment technologies and AI to enhance learning experiences, and providing training for pre-service AG teachers to extend these insights into high school classrooms. The project's objectives include developing comprehensive online welfare training modules, hosting turkey and laying HEN handling workshops, development of industry-backed certification programs, enhancing the accessibility of poultry science resources across hsis, augmenting professional development through career services and networking events, and expanding poultry education and career resources for high school educators. By prioritizing HSI students, peeps offers an innovative strategy to foster equity in poultry science education nationwide, enhancing the job market competitiveness of these students. The multifaceted approach not only benefits students entering the poultry industry but also those pursuing careers in fanh careers. This project will have great reach, in that IT will support 1,668 students, and expose 6,340 additional students to the poultry industry.priority need area 1. Attract and support undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups in order to prepare them for careers related to the food, agricultural and natural resources systems and sciences in the united states. 2. Enhance the quality of postsecondary instruction within the above disciplines. 3. Provide opportunities and access to food and agricultural careers in the public and private sector. 4. Align the efforts of hsis and other non-profit organizations to support academic development and career attainment of underrepresented groups.educational need area 1. Curricula design, material DEV.; 3. Instruction delivery systems, 4. Scientific instrumentation for teaching, 5. Student experiential learning, 6. Student recruitment and retention