Source: NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE submitted to NRP
RURALTECH+ TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TO BOOST IT AND CYBERSECURITY SKILLS IN THE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027981
Grant No.
2022-67037-36263
Cumulative Award Amt.
$450,000.00
Proposal No.
2021-09824
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Nov 15, 2021
Project End Date
Nov 14, 2024
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A7601]- Agricultural Workforce Training Grants
Recipient Organization
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE
801 E BENJAMIN AVE
NORFOLK,NE 687016831
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Many people may not realize how dependent today's food production systems and processes are on information technology. At the individual producer level, few operations exist which do not utilize GPS-driven crop production equipment, GIS mapping for efficient irrigation and chemical application, automated temperature, humidity and feeding controls in livestock barns or computer based records management. At the processor level, the increase in robotics and automation in processing lines and use of predictive analytics for scheduling and distribution are just two examples of dependence upon technology-based tools. All these tools are vulnerable to hacking and ransomware attacks, essentially putting our food safety and security in jeopardy.This project creates a framework for educating incumbent workers in rural agriculture cooperatives on data analysis and information security as well as developing a pipeline of ag-tech workers for growing industry needs. Use of short-term, flexible training options to provide training is cornerstone to the success of this project. Making upskiling and reskilling accessible to the geographically dispersed audiences of rural workforce elevates the practice of information security measures essential to minimizing disruption of operations.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90374103030100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
7410 - General technology;

Field Of Science
3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The major goal of this project is to support the security and reliability of Nebraska's food production system dependent upon technology-based solutions, ultimately impacting the reliability of the nation's food supply.Many people may not realize how dependent today's food production systems and processes are on information technology. At the individual producer level, few operations exist which do not utilize GPS-driven crop production equipment, GIS mapping for efficient irrigation and chemical application, automated temperature, humidity and feeding controls in livestock barns or computer based records management. At the processor level, the increase in robotics and automation in processing lines and use of predictive analytics for scheduling and distribution are just two examples of dependence upon technology-based tools. All these tools are vulnerable to hacking and ransomware attacks, essentially putting our food safety and security in jeopardy. The major goal of this project is to elevate the technical knowledge of information security within agriculture-based employers.Specific objectives include:- Provide training to 40 individuals annually via synchronous, virtual, short-term training.- Fifteen industry-recognized certifications earned by program participants annually.- Couple a general agriculture comptence course with cybersecurity bootcamp to equip five entry-level workers annually for integration into the agriculture-technology workforce pipeline.
Project Methods
The project will be conducted using multiple efforts, each with distinct evaluation strategies.Curriculum Development: One effort of the grant will entail devleoping curriculum relevant to incumbent workers. The curriculum learning outcomes will be informed by needs analysis conversations with Agriculture Cooperative managers. The information gathered will be used to develop curriculum, which will be evaluated in two ways. 1) Participant feedback. Participant feedback on curriculum relevance will be gathered via informal methods during delivery and formally with a post-evaluation form. The informal data will be used by instructors to adjust pace and application exercises as needed. Formal data will be evaluated after the first three deliveries to identify trends in data and adjust content as indicated. Annual evaluation of formal data on course relevance will continue throughout the project lifecycle. 2) Employer feedback. Employers will be asked to complete a formal survey 90-days after incumbent workers have finished the training program. The survey will include questions on curriculum relevance and observable transfer of knowledge to the workplace. This data will be reviewed annually to identify trends and adjust curriculum as indicated.Instruction: Instructional methods that will be utilized in this project include a combination of classroom instruction, synchronous online (virtual) delivery and assynchronous online delivery. A combination of methods may be used for any particular subject matter or audience. The flexibility to deliver curriculum in multiple ways expands the accessibility to geogrpaphically remote areas by reducing the need for travel to a central location. Evaluation of instruction will occur in two ways. At the conclusion of each course, participants will be required to complete a learning assessment. This learning assessment will evaluate the achievement of desired learning objectives. This data will be evaluated after the first three deliveries to determine need for curriculum change and annually to identify any trends that indicate need for curriculum adjustment. Additionally, a post-course participant survey will solicit feedbak on the appropriateness of the instructional delivery method to the students needs. This survey data will be reviewed annually to determine adjustments needed.Experiential Learning: Experiential learning opportunities will be available to participants in two forms. 1) Virtual, lab environment of cybersecurity bootcamp. Individuals participating in cybersecurity bootcamp experiences will be required to complete several exercises in a virtual lab environment mimicking a real cyber incident scenario. This use of a 'safe place' to practice threat detection and mitigration is essential to prepare entry-level workers. Evaluation of participant performance is tied to course success. Participants will not complete the course successfully without proper execution of the exercises. 2) Work-based learning opportunities. Incumbent workers and entry-level workers will have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning experiences throughout the course of their training. These work-based learning experiences will have specific learning objectives articulated and a process for verification of succesful demonstration on the job. This format mirrors Registered Apprenticeship Programs, while minimizing paperwork. Evaluation of this effort will include analysis of completeness of learning objectives in the targeted time period, number of work-based learning experiences and employer satisfaction with those experiences.

Progress 11/15/21 to 10/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for the duration of this project was incumbent workers in agriculturally connected businesses within the state of Nebraska. The secondary target audience was students enrolled at Northeast Community College seeking to enter the workforce in agriculturally connected businesses. Changes/Problems:The largest challenge was engaging employees who were already juggling excess job duties due to workforce shortages. When involved, members reported strong appreciation for the practical content and flexible nature of learning. However, simply getting a commitment to participate was challenging, resulting in lower than anticipated participation and project expenditure. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional development were the primary outputs of the grant project. 103 individuals participated in 26 training events over the course of the project, resulting in a broad spectrum of exposure to cybersecurity principles. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Press releases and email follow-ups have been the primary avenues for providing progress updates and new learning opportunities to the partner entities on the project application as well as the community at large. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Training was provided to 103 individuals via synchronous, virtual training and in-person training events. These incumbent workers represented a variety of businesses connected to agriculture and utlizing technology related to managing data and/or processes. Unfortunately no industry-recognized credentials were earned under the program. However, three full-time students were provided financial support for classes that enhance cybersecurity skills for future agriculture-technology workforce pipeline development.

Publications


    Progress 11/15/22 to 11/14/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:This reporting period we were able to reach local and county volunteers in highly rural settings who participate agriculuture production, support or assistance. This audience is highly engaged in their communities and understands the need for cybersecurity awareness and diligence. Additionally, these represent leaders in the communities who will share the knowledge gained and the opportunity to learn more with others. A secondary audience reached by the efforts this reporting period include equipment providers and servicers. Implement dealers know the tremendous amount of data collected by production equipment today and are seeking upskillng of workers to manage, protect and utilize the data efficiently and effectively. Changes/Problems:We continue to see lackluster enrollment or follow-through from initial inquiry to scheduling from business partners. This is largely explained by the tremendous workforce shortage, making professional development a lower priority that operation continuation. We continue to seek opportunities to wrap this work into other activities businesses are already engaged in as an added value and promote the opportunity for virtual synchronous and asynchronous classes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided the opportunity to enhance conversations related to the intersection of cybersecurity, agriculture, digital literacy, digital access and data protection. In addition, it provides low cost to no cost training opportunities for individuals wishing to engage in lifelong learning on this topic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been shared with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Association, verbally shared at a Nebraska FBI Forum on agriculture security and via social media and traditional press releases. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Engagement with the credit program director to identify opportunities related to certification and their partnership with Google is the next step toward the pipeline development work and accomplishing the goals of certifications obtained.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? This reporting period an additional 20 individuals were reached with in-person synchronous training. To date, no industry recognized certifications have been earned under the grant.

    Publications


      Progress 11/15/21 to 11/14/22

      Outputs
      Target Audience:This reporting period the target audience was incumbent workers in the agriculture cooperative operations field. Twenty-seven incumbent workers received training on information security, data storage and/or data use. Changes/Problems:One problem encountered has been lack-luster enrollment after the first round of classes. The changes being undertaken are to increase the level of communication, seek out additional input on the topics, timing and format of classes as well as seek additional instructors to add more options. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. Principles of Information Security class was provided to incumbent IT professionals at agriculture cooperative companies. 2. Two opportunities for participants to learn basic MS Excel skills were offered; one opportunity for Intermediate Excel. 3. Data Collection in Agriculture class was promoted, but no enrollment generated. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A press release on the program has been issued. A social media and digital promotion campaign is under development. Word of mouth promotion and direct communication to agriculturally based businesses is underway. A "one-page" summary of the program has been provided to the state Farm Bureau association. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A focus on promotion of the learning opportunities to incumbent workers in other agriculturally based busiensses is paramount to increasing reach and accomplishing participant goals. Additionally, continual review of potential providers of a bootcamp for entry-level workers is underway. To date, no vendor has met the expectations of general language agnostic skills in a short format and high level of flexibility. A promotion to incoming agriculture majors to highlight the opportunity to earn IT industry-recognized credentials via the grant will be a focal point as well.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Twenty-seven individuals received training via synchronous, virtual, short-term training classes offered. To date, no industry-recognized certifications have been earned. Opportunities have been made available, but no enrollment to date. Attention to promotion of the opportunity is being developed. To date the cybersecurity bootcamp is under development with no projected date of offering identified at this time. The delay is a product of feedback from our target audience. We continue to review the most accessible time of year and format for such a bootcamp.

      Publications