Non Technical Summary
The Texas State University (TXST) Farm to Fork to Field Project (FFF) focuses on training high school and community college students in the emerging, transdisciplinary topics of regenerative agriculture, soil and human health, and water conservation, and the technical skills to effectively communicate about these topics to broad audiences. The program includes in-person, experiential learning opportunities as well as telementoring activities that aim to modernize soil and agricultural sciences curriculum on integrated regenerative agriculture, and introduce students to best practices in science communication. First, students will engage in hands-on learning at TXST to introduce them to emerging technologies and best practices in regenerative agriculture, water conservation, and soil health. Next, they will virtually connect with renowned national agricultural experts (who have become social media "influencers") and gain experience communicating to public audiences by utilizing modern multimedia communication tools, including video "reels," to share what they've learned. The videos created by students will be shared on social media channels, thus amplifying the impact and knowledge sharing about agriculture and STEM topics and introducing students to technical skills and technical topics that are valuable to the STEM workforce. The program involves partnerships between the TXST Translational Health Research Center, Texas Association of Community Colleges, and Future Farmers America, who will support outreach and participant recruitment in school districts and community colleges in Texas. Four school districts--two high schools and two community colleges--will be recruited to participate with a goal to engage 120 students in program activities.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0199	1070	30%
101	0110	1070	25%
903	0199	3030	45%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 3030 - Information and communication;

Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Farm to Fork to Field Project (FFF) is to increase participation from students in STEM, develop a skilled food and agriculture workforce, and foster leadership through technical and communication skills. Objectives include using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and determinants of health to identify communities for outreach, funding attendance at Texas State University's (TXST) Bobcat Farm and Freeman Center for hands-on STEM training, and connecting participants with agriculture influencers via TXST Translational Health Research Center's telementoring platform. The initiative will train students in regenerative agriculture practices that impact nutrition, water, and soil health through experiential learning at TXST facilities, while linking students with experts in regenerative agriculture, soil and water resources, data analytics, and science communication. Additionally, it will train FFF participants to communicate technical information to many different audiences and lead a social media campaign to establish themselves as STEM leaders in food and agriculture.

Project Methods
The project employs a strategic, multi-phase approach to engage students in STEM and regenerative agriculture through experiential learning, data-driven outreach, and science communication. It begins with recuriting studentsby conducting outreach with key stakeholders such as the Texas Association of Community Colleges and Future Farmers of America leaders. Using geographic information science data, the team will identify communities that show significant need based on social determinants of health, specifically poor health outcomes, soil degradation, and water quantity and quality issues. This GIS analysis will guide targeted outreach to schools in these areas.Next, the project will conduct in-depth GIS analyses of each selected community to create customized data visualizations. These visualizations will highlight local environmental, health, and geographic factors, providing a foundation for contextualizing the program to the realities of each school district and community.To ensure the program is grounded in local relevance, the team will engage local educator liaisons through an orientation process that includes the presentation of community-specific data visualizations. These educators will provide essential feedback on local conditions, student needs, and educational priorities, which will inform the development of the curriculum.Using this feedback, the team will develop a modernized, experiential curriculum that integrates site-based learning and virtual engagement. Curriculum modules will include regenerative agriculture topics, soil health, water conservation, and agricultural practices that impact nutrition.The program will then host on-site experiential learning sessions at Texas State University's Bobcat Farm, where students will engage in hands-on activities aligned with the curriculum. These immersive experiences will provide real-world exposure to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.In tandem with in-person learning, the project will launch a telementoring series through iECHO, a platform to foster knowledge-sharing communities. National experts and "influencers" in regenerative agriculture, soil health, water conservation, data analytics, and science communication will lead virtual sessions. Students will engage with these experts by asking questions, discussing local challenges, and participating in active dialogue.To deepen learning and build communication skills, students will participate in science communication and reporting activities, where they will produce three-minute video reels summarizing what they have learned. To support this, each participating school will receive four technology kits and accompanying visual materials to assist in video production.Finally, the project will host an online student showcase where these video reels will be published on a dedicated YouTube channel and program website. Students will vote for their favorite videos, and top performers will receive scholarships. This showcase will also be presented at the annual FFA Career Development Event at Texas State University, allowing a broader audience of FFA students to engage with the outcomes of the program and inspiring future participation.This comprehensive approach ensures that the project is both place-based and scalable, connecting students to relevant STEM content, community context, and career pathways while fostering skills in scientific inquiry, communication, and innovation.