Progress 04/01/24 to 02/18/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this conference proposal included undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty members at the 1890 land grant universities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This symposium provided facilitated workshops for the students at the 1890 universities to engage professionals regarding career and employment opportunities and graduate and professional education opportunities. Ten student workshops were conducted: Graduate School: Hidden Gems Within The 1890 Land-Grant System Moderator: Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Tuskegee University and 1890 Center for Student Success and Workforce Development This workshop highlighted the role of HBCUs and how they play a critical role in educating African Americans and other underrepresented minorities. Professionals within the 1890 Land-Grant System discussed their graduate degree programs (MS and PhD), assistantships and fellowships that support graduate study. Let's Talk About Traveling: Going International Moderator: Ms. Lisa Purnell, USDA Liaison at University of Maryland Eastern Shore This workshop provided information from students about their past international research experiences and travel abroad experiences, and other relevant information. Life After College: What's Next? Moderator: Mr. Eston Williams, USDA Liaison at Tennessee State University This workshop provided advice and guidance from universities, private and public sector organizations' representatives. They discussed their journey from college to their current role. Resume Development - This workshop provided information on how to develop a winning resume that includes the content and format needed when applying for employment. Moderator: Dr. Adrian Hendricks, USDA Liaison at Lincoln University Interviewing Tips - This workshop provided information about interviewing techniques in the government and private sector with the goal of sharpening skills and improving self-presentation to a potential employer. Moderator: Dr. Adrian Hendricks, USDA Liaison at Lincoln University Communication - This session was designed to provide information on communication techniques that are transferable and that will develop professional skills for any career--Public Speaking and teamwork Moderator: Dr. Adrian Hendricks, USDA Liaison at Lincoln University Challenges in Agriculture - Discussion on Issues in the Food and Agriculture Sector Moderator: Dr. Tiffany Frankin, USDA Liaison at Southern University Agricultural Careers - Part I: Federal Government - This workshop provided information about the federal application process and the Pathways Program (internship) for Students and Recent Graduates via usajobs.gov and Federal Application Process Moderator: Allison Johnson, USDA Outreach Coordinator - South Agricultural Careers - Part II: Private Industry - This workshop provided information on career opportunities and the application process for internships and training programs in private industry. Moderator: Allison Johnson, USDA Outreach Coordinator - South Agricultural Careers - Part III: Colleges/Universities - This workshop provided information on career opportunities and the application process for internships and training programs in academia. Moderator: Allison Johnson, USDA Outreach Coordinator - South How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A final conference report will be disseminated to the administrators in the 1890 system, to the NIFA and USDA administrators, and to our sponsors and exhibitors. This conference report will also be placed on the ARD's website: www.umes.edu/ard What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The major goals of this professional meeting was to support undergraduate and graduate student participation in the 2024 research symposium planned and hosted by the Association of Research Directors (ARD) for the 1890 land-grant universities. The ARD Research Symposium provides a forum for interactions, knowledge-sharing, building networks for expanded partnerships and showcasing the talents and achievements of the 1890 community. In addition, the ARD Research Symposium addressed topic areas from the AFRI Foundational Program goals related to social science related and interdisciplinary research projects such as rural communities and entrepreneurship, enhancing marketing opportunities, increasing profitability, consumer preferences and/or behaviors, healthy food choices, rural health, food deserts/food insecurity, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources and agricultural production systems, climate change, workforce development, and strengthening families, farms, communities and the economy. The ARD research symposium also addressed "Strategic Goal 6: Attract, Inspire, and Retain an Engaged and Motivated Workforce that's Proud to Represent USDA" in the USDA Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2022-2026. In addition, the ARD research symposium also aligned with "Priority 2: "Driving Climate-Smart Solutions," and Priority 3: "Bolstering Nutrition Security & Health" in the USDA/Research, Education and Economics Science and Research Strategy, 2023-2026: Cultivating Scientific Innovation." The 21th Biennial Research Symposium was held in Nashville, TN on April 6-9, 2024. One thousand, five hundred and thirty-six persons participated in this symposium and 1022 research papers and posters were presented in five focus areas ( a 42% increase compared to the submissions for the 2022 research symposium in Atlanta, GA): (1) Family, Youth, Community and Economic Development; (2) Food Safety, Nutrition, Health and Health Disparities; (3) Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change; (4) Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; and (5) Animal Health and Production and Animal Products. By placing a particular emphasis on student participation, ARD provided students with a tremendous opportunity to network, to become exposed to the diversity of scientific disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences, and natural resources, including but not limited to, agricultural economics, agribusiness and the social and behavioral science disciplines. To address NIFA's goal of "educating the next generation of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human scientists," 635 students made scientific presentations at the symposium in competitive sessions. These presentations, as well as the faculty presentations, contributed positively to NIFA's mission "to invest in and advance agricultural research, education and extension to solve societal challenges." Finally, discussions during plenary sessions, special sessions, as well as workshops and paper and poster sessions focused on research innovations in the food, agricultural sciences and natural resources and the role of the 1890 universities in implementing its innovation agenda that provides practical, science-based solutions to improve the quality of life of the citizens in the 1890 region and beyond.

Publications