Non Technical Summary
The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Undergraduate Certificate Program aims to address the pressing need for a skilled workforce in the rapidly evolving field of CEA. With advancements in food production technologies, CEA offers an innovative solution to enhance productivity, reduce environmental footprints, and improve nutritional value for consumers. However, the industry faces a critical challenge in attracting qualified professionals.The absence of a dedicated CEA academic program in the Midwest exacerbates this issue. To fill this educational gap, our project proposes the establishment of a multi-institutional, regional undergraduate certificate program across four campuses: University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), University of Missouri - Columbia (UM), Kansas State University - Manhattan Campus (KSUM), and Kansas State University Olathe Campus (KSUO).The project objectives are two-fold: first, to design a shared multidisciplinary certificate program, and second, to prepare a qualified workforce capable of operating and owning CEA farms in Kansas and Missouri. Our long-term vision extends beyond the region, with the goal of scaling the certificate program nationally.Through collaborative efforts, our program aims to enhance the quality of food and agricultural sciences education. By providing specialized knowledge, hands-on training, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, students will be equipped to develop sustainable agricultural practices that maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Ultimately, our project aligns with the overarching goals of the HEC program by facilitating cooperative initiatives between institutions and strengthening institutional capacities while maximizing resources.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
901	0001	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
901 - Program and Project Design, and Statistics;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Goals / Objectives
The project's objectives are to: (1) design a shared multidisciplinary certificate program offered by four campuses in Kansas and Missouri with the long-term goal to scale the certificate program to be offered nationally, and (2) prepare the future workforce required to operate and/or own CEA farms for Kansas and Missouri.

Project Methods
Assessing progress toward and accomplishment of objectives. Data from student surveys, course enrollment and completion records, course assessments, and project artifacts will be used to assess progress toward project outcomes. Specific data collected will include:Student surveys will be administered at program entry, completion, and six months after program completion. Survey questions will address students' interest in CEA and knowledge of CEA principles, practices, design and operation. The post and follow-up surveys will examine short- and long-term outcomes, including gains in CEA knowledge and skills and placement in food and agricultural sciences careers.Course enrollment, completion, and assessment scores will be collected annually from institutional partners. Course enrollment and completion data will be used to track student entry into, and progress toward, certificate completion. Assessment data will provide information about students' mastery of the CEA core content and demonstration of CEA skills and competencies.Program artifacts, including course curriculum, articulation agreements, MOUs, and other inter-institutional records will be collected to document the development and expansion of the CEA certificate program. Scholarship activities by program faculty will also be recorded.Assessing progress toward HEC goals. The overarching goal of this project is to create a cost-efficient workforce-focused CEA program that leverages the expertise of regional institutions and expands the pool of skilled professionals in food and agricultural sciences careers (HEC Goals #1 and #3). To assess cost efficiencies, evaluators will compare CG2 cooperative model costs with the costs of implementing the program at the four campuses. Costs of personnel, technology, space, and required resources and benefits to students will be provided by participating institutions