The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded The Ohio State University $240,000 on September 30, 2025, under the Cooperative Extension Service program (CFDA 10.500) to expand educational resources and training programs on agricultural safety and health for youth workers aged 14–17 years old.
The project, titled "Expanding the Say R.E.A.C.H. with Resources for Education and Adoption onto Classrooms and Outreach Programs," will design and evaluate farm safety curricula appropriate to youth learning styles and preferences. Work will include assessment of blended learning modes—face-to-face, online, and virtual reality environments—to measure student knowledge and skill-based competencies in agricultural hazard recognition and injury prevention. The project team will also develop professional development resources for instructors implementing curriculum in formal and non-formal agricultural education settings. Multi-faceted training programs will be offered across the United States to align resources for maximum adoption.
Performance period runs through September 29, 2027, with work performed in Columbus, Ohio. The recipient is The Ohio State University Office of Sponsored Programs.