Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The shiftingenvironmental conditions poses significant challenges to horticulture due to altering temperature and precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves and unpredictable weather events. These changes directly affect plant growth, flowering patterns, overall crop productivity, and sustainability of horticultural crop systems. Hence, this project's objective is of national importance as we recruit and train five graduate students in climate-smart horticulture to address these challenges effectively. The goal of this project is to equip 1 PhD and 4 master's students with advanced knowledge and skills in climate-smart horticultural practices. This cohort will be recruited from regional junior colleges and partnering institutions like Langston University and Oklahoma State University to attract diverse students, including women and under-represented groups. Additionally, fellows from across the nation will also be recruited through the American Society for Horticultural Science meetings. The students will gain a unique set of skills through active mentoring in cutting-edge research from experienced mentors across different horticultural production systems, including turf grass, ornamental, vegetable, fruit, and nut crops, leading to the development of climate-adapted novel production techniques. Fellows will engage in professional development, networking, and community engagement activities through seminar presentations, grower days, extension workshops, and regional and national conference meetings. Fellows will hone their leadership skills through the unique mentoring experience of the undergraduate interns. In conclusion, training graduate students in climate-smart horticulture is a proactive approach to ensure that the next generation of scientists are equipped to achieve national food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resiliency of horticultural production systems.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to empower 5 graduate fellows to emerge as leaders in climate-smart horticulture production by providing them with comprehensive experiential learning opportunities designed to enhance both their technical and interpersonal skills. Our objectives includeTrain five exceptional graduate student fellows: 4 MS and 1 PhD student fellows will be recruited into the graduate programs at OSU and trained in the targeted expertise shortage area (TESA) of 'climate-smart agriculture' within the nationally relevant discipline of 'plant sciences and horticulture (code: P).'Equip fellows with the practical knowledge and expertise necessary to lead in different horticultural crops, such as vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, turf, and postharvest quality in diverse production systems.Developing essential skills among fellows for advancing climate-resilient horticulture and addressing the needs of the TESA. Key competencies to be cultivated among the fellows include research design and execution, effective communication with diverse stakeholder groups, project management and leadership, problem-solving abilities, knowledge of horticultural plant production, and an understanding of the food-energy-water nexus in achieving sustainable food and agricultural systems.Fellows will build their professional network by interacting with stakeholders in horticulture by visiting multiple operations and attending outreach events in the region to tour facilities and meet growers.
Project Methods
Five graduate students, including 4 MS and one PhD student, will be recruited through various avenues. The recruitment process for the program involves targeted communication within the OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, supporting institution LU, as well as outreach to external student candidates through national science societies. Efforts will be made to reach out to undergraduate and graduate students presenting research at national and regional society meetings such as the American Society of Horticulture Science (ASHS), Southern Region-ASHS, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and other related society meetings. Furthermore, we will focus on local targeted recruitment efforts, particularly through undergraduate internship programs such as the OSU Urban Horticulture REEU. The selection of graduate fellows will be overseen by respective prospective principal advisors, considering the applicants' quality of application materials, academic performance, previous research experience, and recommendations from partnering institution. Top candidates will undergo an interview process and obtain the approval of the prospective principal advisor before being selected as fellowship offer recipients. Effort #1: Efforts include formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, professional development workshops and seminars, community engagement, and outreach. Effort #2: Fellows will conduct individual research projects in the area of climate-resilient horticulture, either in turf, ornamental, vegetable, fruit, or nut crops, based on their research interests. Fellows will use the self-assessment tool from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, available through the Oklahoma State University faculty resources website. This tool will help fellows evaluate their career strengths and challenges in research, teaching, communication, leadership, and scientific writing. Based on this evaluation, fellows will create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with SMART goals to address their challenges. Fellows will be provided with resources for disability accommodation and online training covering responsible research conduct, laboratory safety, and relevant institutional and departmental policies. The primary advisor and graduate fellow will meet weekly to discuss project progress, adjust the IDP with evolving goals (preferably once a year), plan future directions, receive feedback on scientific writing, and access professional development resources. During their second semester, an advisory committee will be formed to align with the fellow's research needs. Fellows will complete annual progress reports on their IDP goals. The mentoring PI will document these reports, noting progress and outlining the next steps. At the end of the graduate program, PD will evaluate the effectiveness of the mentoring plan for each fellow. This comprehensive approach ensures that fellows receive robust academic, research, and professional support, preparing them to become leaders in climate-resilient horticulture and addressing the needs of TESA effectively. Progress will be evaluated using annual IDPs, dissertation committee meetings, graduate seminars, presentations at scientific meetings, peer-reviewed research publications, and the completion and approval of a thesis/ dissertation.