Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the primary focus was on CSUMB undergraduate students, mainly supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented individuals within the FANH fields, particularly those enrolled in the AGPS degree. During the 2023- 2024 academic year, our current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program enrolled 105 students. Among them, a significant majority--65%--identified as Hispanic, reflecting the overall CSUMB demographics and designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Furthermore, over two-thirds--67%--were first-generation college students, and 40% were from low-income backgrounds. These numbers underscore our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education through the NextGen grant efforts. In addition to serving our student population, we also engaged with various community stakeholders, including high school and community college students, their families, educators, and industry representatives from the Tri-County region. This region encompasses Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, including predominantly agricultural and rural areas such as the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys. By extending our outreach efforts to these communities, we aimed to create pathways to higher education and career opportunities, particularly within the agricultural sector, thereby contributing to regional economic development and social mobility. Changes/Problems:Changes: -The proposedAg-Researchers Program, initially planned for Fall and Spring semesters, couldn't be implemented in year 1 due to student availability issues and logistical challenges in matching them with research mentors. Consequently, the budgeted funds were redirected to support a larger number of full-time 10-week summer internships. -The proposedposition for the Internship and Recruitment Coordinator remained unfilled due to difficulties in finding qualified candidates. Instead, during year 1, the Program Director oversaw recruitment processes for students and mentors, job/internship placements, and progress tracking, while theAcademic & Career Enrichment (ACE) Coordinator provided support for student internship and professional preparation, including post-evaluations. Additionally, an undergraduate student assistant was hired to handle administrative tasks and logistical duties. Problems: The execution of our planned activities was influenced by various factors, with one significant challenge being the hurdles students faced with their FAFSA applications in 2023-2024 academic year. These difficulties affected the ability of many prospective students to commit to pursuing higher education without the certainty of receiving financial aid. This situation forced some students to postpone their higher education goal and transfer to CSUMB, consequently resulting in them missing the application window for the AGPS scholarship or internship programs. Despite these challenges, we were able to achieve our proposed goals. Moving forward, the processes we established in the first year will enable us to proactively communicate these opportunities and enhance the application experience in the coming year.? What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?- We organized the Cultivating Talent and Harvesting Leaders Career and Internship Fair in February 2024, which featured employers such as USDA agencies (ARS, NRCS, Forest Service) and prominent private companies including D'Arrigo, Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Monterey Mushrooms, Dole, and Driscoll's, among others. Local agricultural extension agencies also participated. Employers were introduced to NextGen internship opportunities, generating strong interest, with 45% committing to host a NextGen intern. Additionally, 8 Spring 2024 graduating seniors from the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program successfully secured permanent or temporary positions with local industry and USDA agencies as a result of the connections they made at the fair. - Professional development trainings were offered to enhance student awareness of academic success and well-being resources while fostering confidence through professional networking and clarifying internship opportunities. Workshop topics included academic and career advising, student enrichment and mental health programs, tutoring, disability and accessibility services, resume and cover letter writing, professional networking, and demystifying internships. These trainings significantly improved student preparedness by increasing their resource awareness, boosting networking confidence, and equipping them with the skills to pursue internships and career opportunities in agriculture-related fields. - We redesigned the semester-long AGPS 302: Careers in Agriculture course to highlight diverse career paths in academia, the agricultural industry, and USDA agencies while offering students practical insights into internship and job application requirements. This redesign has better-equipped students with a comprehensive understanding of career opportunities and the skills needed to navigate the application process, ultimately enhancing their career readiness and expanding their professional prospects. - We facilitated opportunities for NextGen scholars and other Agricultural Plant and Soil Science students to build peer connections through meet-and-greets, study sessions, community-building activities, and semester-end celebrations. These initiatives created a supportive environment that promotes both academic success and personal well-being. By nurturing a strong, collaborative community, students have gained a sense of connection, reducing isolation and boosting their confidence and motivation to succeed in both academic and professional pursuits. - The Agricultural Plant and Soil Science Academic & Career Enrichment Coordinator conducted 70 one-on-one meetings with scholarship recipients and other students. These personalized sessions provided career guidance, resume revisions, personal statement feedback, interview preparation, and exploration of professional goals. The direct mentorship from the coordinator strengthened student engagement with academic staff, enhanced student awareness of success strategies, and contributed to their professional growth. This personalized approach had a clear impact, as students gained greater clarity about their career pathways and increased confidence in pursuing opportunities within the agriculture industry and USDA. - We revamped the AGPS 394 Agriculture Internship course to align with the NextGen internship program, offering it during the summer term to provide students with academic credit and structured guidance for internships. This led to a 416% increase in student enrollment, expanding the program's capacity to support experiential learning. The revamped course significantly strengthened the integration of academic and professional development, broadening access to industry and USDA internships and creating more pathways for student success in agriculture-related careers. These changes will have lasting impacts by bridging students' academic learning with career opportunities, ultimately boosting their readiness and opening up greater professional opportunities. - Six students received support to attend the California Seed Association Industry Tour, visiting five seed production and processing companies. This experience gave them valuable exposure to plant breeding and biotechnology applications, career opportunities within the California vegetable seed industry, and direct connections with industry professionals, enhancing their career prospects and potential for internships. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The outcomes of our initiatives have been effectively communicated through a variety of outreach and engagement activities. More than 3000 individuals, including more than 1700 high school and community college students, in addition to family members, educators, and community members were reached through college tours, open houses, school visits, workshops, demonstrations, course presentations, guest lectures, and tabling events. During these engagements, attendees gained insights into the AGPS major, career opportunities in agriculture, experiential learning opportunities, scholarships, campus resources, and student success programs. Information about scholarships, internships, and career fairs was disseminated through a range of channels, including printed and digital materials, e-newsletters, and emails. These communications were distributed to CSUMB students, student applicants from high schools and community colleges, as well as industry and USDA partners. Specific efforts included: - We conducted extensive outreach to industry partners and USDA agencies to promote the NextGen Summer Internship program. This effort included close collaboration with the USDA Office of Partnership & Public Engagement (OPPE) regional liaison and outreach to industry members of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California and the California Leafy Greens Research Program. - Additionally, we expanded our partnerships with local community colleges and established new recruitment relationships with 17 additional institutions. This outreach involved organizing campus visits, guest lectures, and meetings with academic counselors to showcase the AGPS program, NextGen scholarships, and campus resources, as well as offering experiential learning opportunities. The involvement of current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science students, including NextGen scholars, in these activities not only increased their visibility but also allowed them to connect with potential applicants. These interactions helped scholars build confidence and establish themselves as role models while facilitating relationships between incoming students, peer mentors, and faculty. - We also conducted outreach to high school students involved in FFA programs through college tours, open houses, school visits, and 4H community events, such as Farm Day and the Center for Land-Based Learning's FARMS program, engaging over 300 prospective students. During these events, AGPS representatives highlighted agricultural career opportunities, the essential role of ag-related jobs in food security and culture, and the benefits of the current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program and NextGen scholarships. Campus visits allowed students to experience college life and receive valuable guidance on the application process. These efforts significantly raised awareness of agricultural career pathways, sparking increased interest in pursuing higher education in agriculture and contributing to the development of a future pipeline of AGPS program participants. - The NextGen team also took part in campus-wide recruitment events, including the 2023 CSUMB Open House, Otter Admitted Day, and Otter Transfer Day. During these events, current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science representatives provided direct guidance on the program, financial aid options, and class registration. As a result, several applications were submitted on-site, and interest in the current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program grew significantly. NextGen scholarship recipients served as ambassadors, which boosted the program's visibility and enrollment while also building their confidence and improving their communication skills through direct interactions with prospective students and their families. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next year / reporting period, we will maintain the activities conducted in year 1 while also initiating new efforts to further bolster student success. This includes facilitating experiential learning opportunities, financial assistance, academic and career enrichment interventions, expanding outreach and recruitment efforts, and continuing to build and strengthen partnerships with industry representatives and USDA agencies. Specifically, we will: Objective 1: -Award scholarships to returning cohort 1 (seniors) and the new cohort 2 (juniors), and continue advertising and improving the application process for cohort 3. -Continue offering academic, professional and well-being enrichment activities, including launching the Ag-Mentoring Program matching scholarship recipients with current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science alumnus/alumna and mentors and role models working in the regional agricultural industry or USDA agencies. -Conduct exit and focus group interviews with graduating scholarship recipients. Objective 2: -Offer the Ag-Bootcamp and assess its impact on CSUMB current Agricultural Plant and Soil Science students -Guide NextGen summer interns providing academic and professional development support through the AGPS 394 Agriculture Internship summer course and individual checking meetings. -Host the AGPS NextGen poster session at the Undergraduate Research Festival on campus, August 9, 2024 Mentor student interns in submitting and presenting poster presentations at national conferences (SACNAS NDiSTEM 2024) -Monitor and distribute the internship experience survey to participating students, and complete data analysis on the internship experience. This will also be accomplished with the support of the external evaluator. -Recruit CSUMB undergraduate students and community partners to participate in the internship program in year 2 Objective 3 -Continue to participate in campus recruitment events and outreach activities with local Community Colleges and High Schools from the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys, and explore opportunities to expand engagement with community colleges across California through target in-person and virtual opportunities. -Organize an in-person Cultivating Talent and Harvesting Leaders Career and Internship Fair for CSUMB and Community College students, as well as students from local high schools and other regional Hispanic Serving Institutions. We will also work on recruiting additional regional employers to participate in the event. -Continue to work on developing and offering AgTech-themed CURE modules and assess their impact.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: - Awarded 16 scholarships of up to $10,000 to undergraduate students in the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science major. We developed a project-specific, streamlined application process with direct guidance and technical support from financial aid advisors. 81% of recipients were first-generation students, 75% were Hispanic, and 50% were female. 100% of scholarship recipients matriculated full-time and received personalized one-on-one advising that allowed them to develop and refine their career goals, academic progress, internship interests, and resume/personal statement updates. All recipients reported a positive impact of the scholarship on reducing their financial burden and allowing them to focus on academic and professional development. At the end of the scholarship term, 100% of scholars were retained and showed improvements in their academic performance including passing all their courses, improving their GPA, and engaging in summer professional jobs or internships. Some testimonials from these surveys include: "The NextGen scholarship has helped me tremendously, not only financially but also by exposing me to valuable resources and boosting my confidence, both of which have been essential to my academic success."; "Being a recipient of the NextGen Scholarship has greatly impacted my success in the program, allowing me to focus more on my studies without the burden of financial stress." - 6 academic and professional development workshops were offered to Agricultural Plant and Soil Science students to enhance awareness of campus resources and career opportunities. Over 75% of students found the workshops beneficial, gaining new insights into campus services and agricultural careers, including USDA jobs. One student shared: "The workshops played a tremendous role in my success in the program, as they discussed the resources available as a student at CSUMB, which have been crucial for me to take full advantage of." - Established a 100% FTE Academic & Career Enrichment Coordinator position dedicated to supporting NextGen scholars and Agricultural Plant and Soil Science students. This is the first student-centered, non-instructional role within both the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science major and the College of Science. The creation of this role has significantly improved student performance, retention, and sense of belonging, particularly among first-generation and underrepresented students while supporting their academic and career success. Objective 2: - We strengthened partnerships with agrifood industry representatives and USDA agencies, securing internship agreements with 14 new companies and expanding collaborations with USDA ARS and NRCS and NAAS through a HACU internship. These efforts facilitated student placements with local companies and, for the first time, placed interns outside California's Central Coast, broadening access to hands-on, career-relevant experiences in agriculture and government sectors. - Streamlined the internship application process, providing students with multiple opportunities, including personalized resume reviews, interview preparation, and tailored placement matching. A dedicated internship webpage attracted over 50 unique visitors and 200-page visits in 90 days. These efforts doubled the expected number of internships, securing placements for 26 full-time, 10-week interns for summer 2024, while also minimizing logistical challenges for industry partners and strengthening collaboration. - Organized career fair with 50 employers and 150 student attendees, fostering direct engagement with USDA (ARS, NRCS, Forest Service) and private sector partners. The event strengthened student-employer connections, enhanced career readiness, and expanded internship opportunities for students in agriculture-related fields. One student shared: "Going to the fair really helped me get a better sense of the job opportunities I'm interested in and make one-on-one connections with employers." Objective 3: - Hired a graphic design student to create marketing materials for the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program, promoting NextGen scholarships and internship opportunities. These materials effectively communicated information about the program, including NextGen scholarships, and internship opportunities, increasing visibility and awareness among prospective students and stakeholders. Distributed both in print and digitally to academic counselors and at recruitment events, these materials increased visibility and engagement, attracting a more diverse pool of applicants and strengthening the program's support for student success in agriculture. - Implemented implemented strategic outreach and recruitment efforts to increase awareness and participation in the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science program. This included partnerships with community colleges, engagement with high school students, and participation in outreach events like campus visits, guest lectures, and college tours. As a result, enrollment from local high schools grew by 70%, and transfer student enrollment from community colleges increased by 54%, including students from institutions not previously connected to CSUMB or the program. As one community college student expressed:"I didn't even know CSUMB had an Ag degree, but the campus visit was enough to basically make me commit there. I was a little unsure at first, but the AGPS NextGen program seems amazing." - NextGen scholars actively participated in outreach and recruitment efforts as ambassadors and role models. These efforts not only expanded program visibility and recruitment but also empowered NextGen scholarship recipients by boosting their confidence and enhancing their communication skills through real-world interactions with prospective students and their families. - Supported four students to attend the 2024 NextGen/Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, DC. By networking with USDA leadership, visiting key USDA facilities, and actively participating in the Outlook Forum, the students gained valuable insights into agricultural policy, research, and career pathways. This experience had a transformative impact on the participating students, none of whom had previously visited Washington, DC. It broadened their understanding of the agricultural industry, expanded their career aspirations, and strengthened their connection to the USDA, inspiring them to pursue future employment and leadership roles within the USDA and the agricultural industry. One student reported: "Attending the NextGen Forum opened my eyes to the vast career opportunities within the USDA and agriculture as a whole. As a first-generation student from a family of fieldworkers, I never imagined visiting USDA headquarters in DC. Hearing the inspiring stories from USDA staff and other students gave me confidence that I belong here. This experience motivated me to continue expanding my professional journey and exploring how my personal experiences and education can shape the future of agriculture."

Publications