Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:This project seeks to expand and diversify the pool of qualified candidates for federal employment by recruiting fellows from underrepresented groups and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The proposed training program is designed to meet the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) Agricultural Management and Economics and addresses two relevant disciplines for this NNF funding cycle: M. Agricultural Marketing and Management and I. International Agriculture. This fellowship program will establish the foundation for a new M.S. program at UTIA to train future cohorts in these areas of critical need. Changes/Problems:Two students came with funding so we have additional funding for an NNF Fellow next fall (2024). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Overview of Expected Academic Training We discussed the required M.S. courses for Agricultural Economics (AREC) or Agricultural Education (ALEC) programs. Cohort courses and Special Electives, which include specialized courses in international agricultural diplomacy: policy, international trade, development, and extension, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. International These Research The Fellows all have thesis advisors, and their thesis projects will focus on a global agricultural issue, including international trade, natural resources, or development/extension in a foreign country context. Special International Study (SIS) We discussed the two-week study abroad in Southeast Asia, providing contextual understanding of international trade (Vietnam) and extension/development (Cambodia). Details are given later in this report. Professional Development and Leadership Fellows will participate in the Executive Seminar Series (Fall 2024), shadow faculty mentors, and organize a special conference session (for Southern Region Ag Econ/Ag Ed Conference in February 2025). Mentorship and pipelining PIs and advising committees will mentor Fellows. Fellows will participate in academic conferences and professional exchanges that will expand their networks and help plan a career path. DEI Training Fellows will participate in DEI training and gain cross-cultural skills through SIS, international research, and foreign language coursework. Many of these activities will be through the University's DEI program. Students will be expected to write a summary paper of all DEI training and related activities. Special International Study (SIS) The Special International Study (SIS) is scheduled for January 4-18, 2024. This two-week study abroad in Southeast Asia, providing contextual understanding of international extension and development (Cambodia) and international trade (Vietnam). In addition to the Felows and Project Directors, staff from the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture (Smith Center) are also attending the SIS to assist with logistic and to provide student support during the trip. Southeast Asia Special International Study Draft Itinerary Date Agenda Jan 4, Thursday Travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia Jan 5, Friday Arrive in Phnom Penh Jan 6, Saturday Rest/ cultural day Jan 7, Sunday Cultural day / orientation / travel to Kampot Jan 8, Monday Kampot/Kep Jan 9, Tuesday Kampot/Kep and return to Phnom Penh Jan 10, Wednesday Travel to Siem Reap via Kampong Cham Jan 11, Thursday Siem Reap Jan 12, Friday ATP/School Tech Park Jan 13, Saturday Temple Day Jan 14, Sunday Fly to Ho Chi Minh (AM); free afternoon Jan 15, Monday Ho Chi Minh Jan 16, Tuesday Ho Chi Minh Jan 17, Wednesday Ho Chi Minh Jan 18, Thursday depart; arrive back in US Vietnam leg of Special International Study Jan 14-18, 2024 (Draft Agenda) Date Content Jan 14 University Tennessee arrival Tan Son Nhat Airport Jan 15 9:00-10:00 USDA briefing on Agriculture Trade Opportunity in Vietnam 10:15 Depart for Port visit 11:00-12:00 Port visit 12:15-13:30 Lunch 14:00-15:00 Cotton Council 15:15 Depart for a spining facility that exports 16:00-17:00 Spining facility visit 17:15 Return Hotel & Rest Jan 16 8:00-9:30 HAWA 9:45 Depart for Ho Nai Furniture (a wood products (e.g., furniture) manufacturers and exporters in Dong Nai Province) 11:00-12:00 Ho Nai Furniture visit 12:15-13:30 Lunch 14:00-15:00 Another Wood Importer visit 15:15 Return Hotel & Rest Jan 17 Mekong Delta Tour 8:00-9:00 Meeting a Seafood Importer 9:15 Depart for Mekong Delta 10:45-12:00 Fish Farm visit in Tien Giang 12:15-13:30 Lunch 14:00-15:00 Cold Chain visit 16:00-17:00 Vietnam Logistic Institute 17:15 Return Hotel & Rest Jan 18 Depart US How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture put out a press release on the program and expected outcomes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The next annual report will include a summary of the International These Research. The Fellows all have thesis advisors, and their thesis projects will focus on a global agricultural issue, including international trade, natural resources, or development/extension in a foreign country context. Report on the Special International Study (SIS) to Southeast Asia and student experiences. Professional Development and Leadership: Fellows will participate in the Executive Seminar Series (Fall 2024). Mentorship and pipelining: PIs and advising committees will mentor Fellows. Fellows will participate in academic conferences and professional exchanges that will expand their networks and help plan a career path. DEI Training: Fellows will participate in DEI training and gain cross-cultural skills through SIS, international research, and foreign language coursework. Many of these activities will be through the University's DEI program. Students will be expected to write a summary paper of all DEI training and related activities.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Recruitment (September 2022 - July 2023) The Fellows program prioritized the recruitment of students from historically underserved groups that meet the qualifications for acceptance into the graduate program. Students were recruited through the following efforts: i) On-campus recruitment through UTK and UTIA undergraduate programs, the UTK Graduate School, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) units; ii) Promotion and recruitment at MSIs, including those providing evidence of direct support of the project (Tennessee State University and Tuskegee University - See Letters of Support); and iii) Promotion and through the regional and national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). Dr. Prabodh Illukpitiya and Dr. Sam Nahashon with Tennessee State University and Dr. Conrad Bonsi with Tuskegee University provided support letters committing to serving as feeder institutions for the training program and committed faculty to serve as external committee members on graduate theses. In addition to these activities, we also recruited through the Committed on the Status of Blacks in Agricultural Economics (COSBAE), which was established in 1980 for the purpose of promoting the welfare of Black agricultural economists by representing their interests and by engaging in activities that encourage their professional advancement. We also recruited through the Advisory Board of the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Policy Research Center (SDFR), which includes leaders from 1890 Universities, including the executive director for the Association of 1890 Research Directors. Based on recruitment efforts we were able to accept 7 students into the program. Note that two students come with funding which allowed for accepting up to 8 students. The student bios are listed below. Four students are in the M.S. program in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC) and three are in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC). NNF Kick-Off Meeting September 8, 2023, we had a kick-off/welcome meeting to discuss the details of the National Needs Fellows program, including expectations, the Southeast Asia trip, and the schedule ahead. This meeting also included a luncheon attended by the Fellow, Project Directors Gill and Muhammad, Thesis Advisors, the Dean and Associate Dean of the Herbert College of Agriculture, and the Department Heads for ALEC and AREC. Academic Training and Cohort Courses In addition to the core courses for incoming graduate students (Fall 2023), all NNF students registered to take ALEC 585 Global Sustainable Development Goals. The course addresses the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted in 2015 to provide a framework and direction for all countries of the world towards 17 common global goals. The SDGs are goals towards which our global society has agreed and outline high-level targets in all spheres of human interaction with each other and the planet. This course provides a transdisciplinary introduction and assessment of these global SDGs. The course presents each of the SDGs, looks at global progress towards each SDG, and provides opportunities for students to explore the synergies of the SDGs. While emphasis is placed on the global nature of the SDGs, this course provides students with the opportunities to reflect on these goals and participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop action plans for addressing multiple SDGs as individuals and for the University of Tennessee community.

Publications