Title: CULTIV8: growing tech-savvy agricultural youthafri farm bill priority areas: agriculture systems and technology and plant health andproduction and plant productsproject duration: september 1,…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $750,000 to Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District on April 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (CFDA 10.310) to develop and deliver CULTIV8, a technology-focused agricultural curriculum and summer camp program designed to engage rural Alaska youth in agricultural systems and technology.

The project runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, with performance based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District conducts the initiative with participation from Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, which leads PK-12 agricultural and biological engineering educational outreach in formal and nonformal settings. Effie Kokrine Charter School, a Title 1 grades 7–12 charter school with 145 students in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, provides student input on curriculum development and testing, hosts summer camp participants, and seats students on the project's leadership team and steering committee. The Doyon Foundation, a nonprofit membership organization serving rural Alaskan communities, contributes educational and career learning opportunities. The Alaska Division of Agriculture and FFA Organization facilitate experiential learning activities through the FFA, an extracurricular agricultural organization for middle and high school youth. A 12-member Youth Advisory Committee composed of youth from rural Alaskan communities and key agricultural regions governs project decisions.

Scott Faulkner serves as project director, with an external evaluation conducted by Hui-Hui Wang.

Title: CULTIV8: growing tech-savvy agricultural youthafri farm bill priority areas: agriculture systems and technology and plant health andproduction and plant productsproject duration: september 1, 2025, to august 31, 2028PROJECT director: scott faulknerleadership team members: tormoehlen, roger; sikes, melissa; erick, katrina; dart, john; and nelson, taylorexternal evaluator: wang, HUI-huisubmitting organization: fairbanks soil and water conservation district, fairbanks, AK other organizations involved:fairbanks soil and water conservation districts -their education outreach unit conducts PK-12 outreach education efforts including working with agriculture in the classroom and local FFA educational initiatives.purdue university's department of agricultural and biological engineering- the department is a leading agricultural and biological engineering department with substantial PK-12 educational outreach initiatives offered in both formal and nonformal settings.effie kokrine charter school - a title 1 grade 7-12 charter school in the fairbanks north star borough with 145 students. Students will provide input in the development and testing of curriculum material, attend the program's summer camps, and serve on the project's leadership team and steering committee.doyon foundation - the doyon foundation, a non-profit membership-based organization dedicated to improving the identity and quality of life for rural alaskan community members, seeks to provide educational, career, and cultural learning opportunities.alaska division of agriculture, FFA organization - FFA, an extra-curricular agricultural organization for youth in middle/high school, conducts experiential learning activities designed to complement formal-based learning experiences.youth advisory committee -a 12-member youth advisory committee composed of youth representing ruralalaskan communities, key alaskan agricultural regions, and the different youth organizations will be formed and empowered to make decisions.steering committee members, including representatives from the alaska department of agriculture, alaska farm bureau, alaska natural resources conservation services, alaska agriculture in the classroom, native alaskan agricultural association, alaska afterschool program, alaska AG teachers association, and the university of alaska fairbanks. At least three youth from the youth advisory committee will be included on the steering committee.locations of proposed activities: the primary locations will include rural communitiesin interior alaska (i.e., nenana, manley hot springs, glennallen), key agricultural communities (i.e., delta junction, nenana, and matsu valley). Doyon foundation, a key strategic partner, will lead efforts to implement nonformal educational programming in remote communitiesthroughout alaska through the agriculture in the classroom program, 4-h, FFA, and other nonformal youth education organizations and programs.technology being addressed: the propose, d project will develop three engaging agricultural technology curricula focused on agricultural robotics, agricultural drones/precision agriculture, and hydroponic biologicals. The nonformal designed curriculum will utilize engaging hands-on learning experiences delivered by volunteer instructors/educators using a variety of educational experiences ( curriculum with hands-on learning experiences, immersive camps, mini workshops, and career development events. Additionally, the project team will work with industry partners to explore the creation of specific credentialing programs for each of the three curriculum areas.number of participants per year: the potential audience includes the 158,000-youth reached annually through alaska's agriculture in the classroom program, the state's 3,167 4-h members, and its 250 FFA members. The project's goal is to reach through the implementation of the three nonformal curricula, the mini workshops, and hands-on camps, a minimum of 200 youth per year.relevance of the project to the goals of fane program area: this proposed project meets all of the key points mentioned in the RFA. The project will design and implement programming to enhance youth's understanding of data science, agricultural robotics and drones, precision agriculture, and biotechnology through nonformal educational learning experiences. IT will build upon agricultural technology learning experiences implemented through agriculture in the classroom and 4-h.relevance of the project to the goals of food and agriculture non-formal education (fane) program: this proposed project's action steps, as outlined in the program narrative, address fane's four goals as stated in the RFA. The project will develop curricula and other hands-on learning experiences; the materials will be made available for use in a variety of outreach programs; the program builds on other formal and nonformal educational programming; and youth will be involved in all aspects of the project.