Non Technical Summary
This project's goal is to recruit and train four outstanding new graduate students in Climate-Smart Agriculture. Agricultural systems are increasingly grappling with the negative impacts of climate change, with intensifying climate disturbances decreasing crop production. Novel techniques to sustain crop production in a quickly changing climate are urgently needed. Our interdisciplinary training program will immerse Fellows in a collaborative environment with co-mentorship from faculty with expertise and research programs in crop physiology, artificial intelligence, sensors, remote sensing, robotics, biochar, and nanomaterials, all of which could potentially be used to mitigate the impacts of climate change and increasing climate variability. Two master's and two PhD Fellows will be recruited to research 1) Sustainable Forest-Based Products, 2) Precision Agriculture, 3) Improving Crop Resilience, and 4) Social/Economic Analyses. Among applicants who meet eligibility requirements, we will select Fellows based on 1) the student's talent and interest in conducting research on innovative climate change mitigation techniques, and 2) advancing DEIA in Climate-smart Agriculture education and the agricultural workforce. We will strategically recruit students from traditionally underrepresented groups by using the McNair Scholars Directory and collaborating with colleagues at partner institutions. Fellows will train in 1) effective communication skills, DEIA, ethics, and professionalism, 2) mentoring and teaching, 3) project coordination and leadership, 4) stakeholder engagement, and 5) collaboration. Fellows will have the opportunity to conduct research in Canada or Israel and will gain industry experience via activities led by Wyman Jasper & Son, the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute, and the Foster Center for Innovation.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0430	1060	40%
102	5010	2020	40%
102	0699	3010	10%
123	0613	1070	10%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0430 - Climate; 0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general; 5010 - Food; 0613 - Mixed conifer-broadleaf forests;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1070 - Ecology; 3010 - Economics;

Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to recruit and train four graduate students on Climate-Smart Agriculture using interdisciplinary training. Specific objectives are to allow graduate students to 1) gain skills in innovative climate change mitigation techniques; 2) gain hands-on research experience in a collaborative international context; 3) enhance research skills (data collection/analysis; writing and communication; grant-writing); and 4) build cross-cultural understanding and adaptability.

Project Methods
This training project will help Fellows acquire the transdisciplinary knowledge and develop the core competencies in data analysis skills and cutting-edge techniques that are necessary to address the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural systems in Maine, the United States, and globally. The program's organization will combine coursework, research, and fieldwork in Maine and abroad, as well as robust mentorship. Graduate student fellows will conduct research projects based on their interests and career goals and gain practical experience through hands-on learning and collaboration with national and international researchers, industry partners, and community stakeholders.