Source: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
COLLABORATION WITH K-12 INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IN AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1001223
Grant No.
2013-38820-21449
Cumulative Award Amt.
$149,816.00
Proposal No.
2013-04054
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2013
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2017
Grant Year
2013
Program Code
[EP]- Teaching Project
Recipient Organization
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
820 CHESTNUT ST
JEFFERSON CITY,MO 651023537
Performing Department
Agriculture & ENV Sci.
Non Technical Summary
Enrollment in colleges of agriculture nationally has suffered in recent years, despite growing opportunities for college graduates in the food and agricultural sciences. We believe that the most effective and sure way of heightening agricultural career interests among K-12 students in general and minorities in particular is to provide them with a curriculum grounded in industry-driven, problem-focused issues and providing the scientific basis for agricultural fields. The scope of this project was prompted by several demands, namely: (1) the university's strategic plans, (2) the national need for better prepared minority applicants for governmental jobs, (3) the national need of employers for graduates with good communication and problem-solving skills, and (4) the continued request of Lincoln University agriculture majors for more learning opportunities that provide hands-on activities. At the present, the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Lincoln University is facing difficulty recruiting and retaining students, especially minority students. Innovative and aggressive recruitment and retention strategies must be employed to meet the needs for the enrollment and retention of these underrepresented groups. The specific objectives are: (1) to recruit underrepresented students to major in agribusiness, agriculture, and environmental sciences, (2) to improve retention by providing academic and professional interaction and mentoring for the selected students with faculty and other professionals in their respective and related disciplines, (3) to augment career awareness in secondary school students by increasing presentations by LU faculty at local high schools on subjects relevant to agriculture and by conducting an annual Agriculture Career Event Day
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
10201102061100%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil;

Field Of Science
2061 - Pedology;
Goals / Objectives
The overall objective of this project is to increase the number of minority students graduating with degrees in agricultural and environmental sciences. The specific objectives are: 1. to recruit underrepresented students to major in agribusiness, agriculture, and environmental sciences 2.to improve retention by providing academic and professional interaction and mentoring for the selected students with faculty and other professionals in their respective and related disciplines 3.to augment career awareness in secondary school students by increasing presentations by LU faculty at local high schools on subjects relevant to agriculture and by conducting an annual Agriculture Career Event Day.
Project Methods
Procedure for Objective 1--the recruitment and retention of students is important to the success of most major higher education systems. This has been especially true of colleges of agriculture, which will see an increased demand for agricultural and allied graduates throughout the next decade and a continued shortage of trained graduates (USDA 2008). The following strategies will be used for heightening agricultural career interests among students: 1.Collaborate with agriculture and environmental sciences teachers in high schools to enhance the agricultural science curriculum at the secondary level. 2.Collaborate with science teachers in high schools to develop instructional units for their courses that illustrate the agricultural applications of concepts addressed in the science courses. 3.Develop dual credit courses which can introduce students to college-level courses and also be counted as credit towards their degree. If students collect enough college- level credit hours from a particular university, they are more likely to attend that university. 4.Develop "2+2" curricula with colleges that offer Associate of Science degrees in agriculture and environmental sciences. (Secondary school students will then seek these postsecondary courses as part of a 2+2 programs or as dual credit opportunities.) 5.Develop new distance learning courses. 6.Provide students with scholarships and/or on-campus job opportunities. The use of distance delivery of courses in agriculture and environmental science areas will provide some commuter and non-traditional students with the opportunity to take courses without difficulty, thereby helping these students stay in school and hopefully graduate from their programs of study. Procedure for Objective 2 This project will be using strategies to increase retention, such as academic support which involves help with study skills, time management, plus tutoring, mentoring, and regular meetings to discuss academics and to gauge student progress. Non-curricular support will involve matters that affect academics, such as homesickness, prioritizing, effective communication, career counseling, goal setting, how to utilize university support mechanisms, and assistance with financial matters. Professional development involves undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, and exposure to professional meetings. Students will be encouraged to join the Agricultural Club and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). These organizations will help place minority students in various federal agencies and industries. Our students will also be encouraged to travel to national conferences and meet agency and industry representatives. Participation in the professional organizations will give them broad exposure to academia and graduate programs nationally. Further, our university has a student career center that connects students with governmental agencies and industries. The center maintains a large database of employers and students and serves as a clearinghouse. Career fairs and meetings are held throughout the year on campus. Students will be encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. Procedure for Objective 3 This will be accomplished by two means: (1) having one or more of the agriculture instructors present information on careers at local high schools and statewide events such as (FFA) conventions and (2) hosting an Agriculture Career Event Day. We will target approximately six hundred students from twenty local high schools to attend each of these event days. Participants will learn about various industries and job skills in different career event areas, e. g., food science, meat technology, agribusiness management, entomology, dairy products, livestock evaluation, and nursery and landscape management. Agriculture Career Event Day will be an annual event to provide LU Agriculture students with the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals.

Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree granting two year colleges of Agriculture in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?25 students (Junior and Senior level) were transported to Columbia, Missouri to participate and learn about careers in agriculture in a "Career Fair" arranged by the University of Missouri College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Three students from Department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of faculty in soil chemistry/enzymology and plant nutrition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students from the mentoring programs attended and presented their reserach findings in differnet state-wide and national conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We participated atthe University of Missouri Extension event, "Kids Morning Out at the Osage County Fair" and Cole county Fair events and distributed educational materials. Lincoln University department of agriculture presented at the Cole County Department of Health's 100 years ... an exercise station to include a hands-on training session for elementary students. PowerPoint presentations were made to show the relations between agriculture and healthy diets and food production. Werecruited at the Southern Boone County High School (Ashland) College and Career Fair--Presentations were made about our degree programs at Dept. of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. We shared information about the scholarships available, research hands- on experiences offered, and the internship opportunities available if they choose to attend agriculture degree programs. We also talked about different career paths for a degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. We participated at the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland "Full STEAM Ahead" event at Stephens College. Along with talking about what we offer at LU, we also had hands-on activity showing kids to plant tomato seeds and seedlings and the importance of agriculture. Other recruitment efforts included participation at the following events and making presentations and distributing promotional hand-outs about plant and soil science and food production: Blue Tiger Day at LU Annual FFA Judging Contest Day at LU Showcase at the Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City. The University of Missouri Extension event; Kids Morning Out at the Osage County Fair Missouri State Fair (Sedalia, Missouri)

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: IMPACT OF TOPOGRAPHY ON THE MOVEMENT OF SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE WATER AND SOIL ENZYMES USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. L. Nelson*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: THE FATE OF METHYLCYCLOHEXANE METHANOL IN SOIL AND EFFECT ON ENZYME ACTIVITY. W. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Select Soil Enzyme Activities Involved in Nutrient CyclingW. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Z. Afrasiabi, Soka University, Aliso Veijo, CA 92656;Abstracts, 2017 ARD 1890 Research Symposium


Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree granting two year colleges of Agriculture in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Fivestudents from the department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of the respectivefaculty in the areas of Plant & Soil Science,Entomology, Horticulture and Aquaculture. These students attened and presented their reserach findings in regional and national conferences. One of the students from mentoring program enrolled in Masters degree at LU. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, Students from the mentoring programs attended and presented their reserach findings in differnet state-wide and national conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A part time program coordinator/recruiter was hired to assist with recruitment process. Several high schools including STEM and PREP schools in Columbia, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and St. Louis area were visited ( total of35 ) and contact was made withover 1000 seniors. During these visits studentswere informed about the scholarships, hands on experience offered, and the internship opportunities available if they chose to participate in the program. They were given information about different career paths that can be taken with degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. Several Middle and Elementary schools in Jefferson City and vicinity were visited totaling 1600 plus students. PowerPoint presentations were made to seven, and eight graders on different aspects of agriculture including plant and soil, and animal science with emphasis on agriculture production in state of Missouri. Hands-on activities were arranged for first and second graders and helped them plant tomato seeds while educating them about food source and the way different plants are grown. Acoloring book was developed and used while visiting elementary schools and distributed to kindergarteners to color the book which shows different plants, animals, and farmers working in the farm. To enhance the recruitment activities, we developed a "Facebook" page for the department to highlight the student activities and accomplishments. Several displays were prepared and erected around LU campus during the Homecoming every year to advertise our degree programs in the department. Each Fall Semester about 20 of our students (Junior and Senior levels) were transported to Columbia, Missouri to participate and learn about careers in agriculture in a "Career Fair" arranged by the University of Missouri College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources. We participated and distributed promotional information about degree programs in general, and in agriculture careers, plant and soil, animal science, etc.during the County and State Fair, FFA Judgingevents, Girl Scounts events, each year for the duriation of the project. An MOU was establishedbetweenOzarks Technical Community College, Missouri and Lincoln University for a 2+2 degree in agriculture and brochures to promote this effort were prepared and distributed to the OTC students We initiated the process of examining the curiculum for Crowder College in Missouri for possible 2+2 program establishment. in the future.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Bradley Fisher*, Katelin Borden, Touria E. Eaton, Frieda Eivazi, and Abua Ikem 2016. Effect of Increased Organic Fertilization on Fertilization Costs and Kale Yield. http://missouriacadsci.org/2016Sections/poster
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: IMPACT OF TOPOGRAPHY ON THE MOVEMENT OF SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE WATER AND SOIL ENZYMES USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. L. Nelson*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: THE FATE OF METHYLCYCLOHEXANE METHANOL IN SOIL AND EFFECT ON ENZYME ACTIVITY. W. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Select Soil Enzyme Activities Involved in Nutrient CyclingW. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Z. Afrasiabi, Soka University, Aliso Veijo, CA 92656;Abstracts, 2017 ARD 1890 Research Symposium
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lancelot Nelson, Bei Chu, and Frieda Eivazi, 2015. Riverbluff Cave: Evidence of Plant Life by Determination of Enzymes. Poster presentation at the Annual Meetings of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. http://www.mnrc.org/Poster_Session.html
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Borden, K., and T.E. Eaton. Effect of Increased Fertilization Rate on the Concentration of Mineral Nutrients in Kale. Missouri Academy of Science Annual Meeting. April 18, 2015. Saint Joseph Missouri.


Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree granting two year colleges of Agriculture in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? About 20 of our students (Junior and Senior levels)were transported to Columbia, Missouri to participate and learn about careers in agriculture in a "Career Fair" arranged by the University of Missouri College ofFood, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Three students from Department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of faculty in the areas of Horticulture andSoil Fertility. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students from the mentoring programs were encouraged to attend and present their reserach findings in differnet local and state-wide conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue working with area two year colleges to establish 2+2 programs and sign memorandum of agreements. We plan on visiting more rural and inner city high schools, middle and elementary schools for recruitment and work on retention by mentoring the students majoring in agriculture.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several Middle and Elementary schools in Jefferson City and vicinity werevisited totaling 600 plus students. PowerPoint presentations were made to seven, and eight graders on different aspects of agriculture including plant and soil, and animal sciencewith emphasis on agriculture production in state of Missouri. Hands-on activities were arranged for first and second graders and helped them plant tomato seeds while educating them about food source and the way different plants are grown. A coloring book was developed and used while visiting elementary schools and distributed to kindergarteners to color the book which shows different plants, animals, and farmers working in the farm. Several high schools were visited in Jefferson City, Kansas City, and other towns. Presentations were made about our degree programs at Dept. of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. We shared information about the scholarships available, research hands- on experiences offered, and the internship opportunities available if they choose to attend agriculture degree programs. We also talked about different career paths for a degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. We participated in Post-Secondary Education Fair for Missouri "Homed School" students and shared information about our agriculture programs. Several schools from Jefferson City and vicinity brought their students to tour Lincoln University's research facilities including aquaculture, hydroponics production, goat and sheep barns, etc. introducing our degree programs to students who do not have any knowledge of Lincoln University. To enhance the recruitment activities, we developed a "Facebook" page for the department to highlight the student activities and accomplishments. Several displays were prepared and erected around LU campus during the Homecoming to advertise our degree programs in the department. Microsoft Access Database was created and fitted with all 97 Central District Schools Contact from the Missouri Agricultural Education Directory. This will be used for current and future recruitment activities. We initiated the process of examining the curriculum for Crowder, and Johnson County Community Colleges in Missouri for possible 2+2 program establishment in the future.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Bradley Fisher*, Katelin Borden, Touria E. Eaton, Frieda Eivazi, and Abua Ikem 2016. Effect of Increased Organic Fertilization on Fertilization Costs and Kale Yield. http://missouriacadsci.org/2016Sections/poster


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree granting two year colleges of Agriculture in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?25 students (Junior and Senior level) were transported to Columbia, Missouri to participate and learn about careers in agriculture in a "Career Fair" arranged by the University of Missouri College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Three students from Department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of faculty in soil chemistry/enzymology and plant nutrition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students from the mentoring programs attended and presented their reserach findings in differnet state-wide and national conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We participated atthe University of Missouri Extension event, "Kids Morning Out at the Osage County Fair" and Cole county Fair events and distributed educational materials. Lincoln University department of agriculture presented at the Cole County Department of Health's 100 years ... an exercise station to include a hands-on training session for elementary students. PowerPoint presentations were made to show the relations between agriculture and healthy diets and food production. Werecruited at the Southern Boone County High School (Ashland) College and Career Fair--Presentations were made about our degree programs at Dept. of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. We shared information about the scholarships available, research hands- on experiences offered, and the internship opportunities available if they choose to attend agriculture degree programs. We also talked about different career paths for a degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. We participated at the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland "Full STEAM Ahead" event at Stephens College. Along with talking about what we offer at LU, we also had hands-on activity showing kids to plant tomato seeds and seedlings and the importance of agriculture. Other recruitment efforts included participation at the following events and making presentations and distributing promotional hand-outs about plant and soil science and food production: Blue Tiger Day at LU Annual FFA Judging Contest Day at LU Showcase at the Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City. The University of Missouri Extension event; Kids Morning Out at the Osage County Fair Missouri State Fair (Sedalia, Missouri)

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: IMPACT OF TOPOGRAPHY ON THE MOVEMENT OF SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE WATER AND SOIL ENZYMES USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. L. Nelson*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: THE FATE OF METHYLCYCLOHEXANE METHANOL IN SOIL AND EFFECT ON ENZYME ACTIVITY. W. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Abstracts, Missouri Academy of Sciences Annual Meetings, April 21-22, 2017
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Select Soil Enzyme Activities Involved in Nutrient CyclingW. Doggett*, F. Eivazi, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Z. Afrasiabi, Soka University, Aliso Veijo, CA 92656;Abstracts, 2017 ARD 1890 Research Symposium


Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree granting two year colleges iof Agriculture in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five students from Department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of faculty in the areas of Entomology, Horticulture and Aquaculture, Soil Fertility. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?List of student mentor presentations: Posters Lancelot Nelson, Bei Chu, and Frieda Eivazi, 2015. Riverbluff Cave: Evidence of Plant Life by Determination of Enzymes. Poster presentation at the Annual Meetings of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. http://www.mnrc.org/Poster_Session.html Borden, K., and T.E. Eaton. Effect of Increased Fertilization Rate on the Concentration of Mineral Nutrients in Kale. Missouri Academy of Science Annual Meeting. April 18, 2015. Saint Joseph Missouri. Fisher, B., T.E. Eaton, and F. Eivazi. 2015. A review on Raspberry Production in Missouri. Missouri Academy of Science. http://missouriacadsci.org/2015Sections/AG01-Abstracts.pdf accessed 4/20/2015. Oral presentations Fisher, B., and T.E. Eaton. 2015. A Review on Raspberry Production in Missouri. Missouri Academy of Science Annual Meeting. April 18, 2015. Saint Joseph Missouri. Borden, K., T.E. Eaton, and F. Eivazi. 2015 Effect of Increased Fertilization Rate on the Concentration of Mineral Nutrients in Kale. Missouri Academy of Science. http://missouriacadsci.org/2015Sections/Poster-Abstracts.pdf Accessed 4/20/2015. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will plan to conduct tours of Lincoln University's aquaculture facility, farms, and other research facilities help to recruit students for the Agriculture and Environmental Science program. Agriculture Career Day will be conducted in Spring 2016 to make students aware of jobs in the area. We will continue working with area two year colleges to establish 2+2 programs and sign memeorandum of agreements. We plan on continuing visit to rural and inner city high schools, middle and elementary schools for recruitment and work on retention by mentoring the students majoring in agriculture.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several high schools including STEM and PREP schoolsin Columbia, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and St. Louis area were visited ( total of 15) and contact was made with about1000 senior students.We talked with them about the scholarships, hands on experiences offered, and the internship opportunities available if they choose to participate in the program. Wealso talked about different career paths that can be taken with a degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. We learned thatif we invitestudents for official tours of Lincoln University research facilities and programs may be helpful in introducing our degree programs to students who do not have any knowledge of Lincoln university. We visited Ozarks Technical Community College, Missouri and distributed the 2+2 brochure which is to promote the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Lincoln University, Department of Agriculture. We initiated the process of examining the curiculum for Crowder College in Missouri for possible 2+2 program establishment in the future. We participated at 4-H Day at Cole County Fair-July 2015 and made presentation to several hundred elementary school children with displays and exhibits and hands-on activities.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lancelot Nelson, Bei Chu, and Frieda Eivazi, 2015. Riverbluff Cave: Evidence of Plant Life by Determination of Enzymes. Poster presentation at the Annual Meetings of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. http://www.mnrc.org/Poster_Session.html Fisher, B., T.E. Eaton, and F. Eivazi. 2015. A review on Raspberry Production in Missouri. Missouri Academy of Science. http://missouriacadsci.org/2015Sections/AG01-Abstracts.pdf accessed 4/20/2015. Borden, K., T.E. Eaton, and F. Eivazi. 2015 Effect of Increased Fertilization Rate on the Concentration of Mineral Nutrients in Kale. Missouri Academy of Science. http://missouriacadsci.org/2015Sections/Poster-Abstracts.pdf Accessed 4/20/2015.


Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Department of Agriculture faculty, students, staff; High School councils; Associate degree in Agriculture granting two year colleges in Missouri. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three students from Department of Agriculture were placed in mentoring program to conduct research under supervision of three faculty in the areas of Entomology, Horticulture and Aquaculture How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will plan to conduct tours of Lincoln University’s aquaculture facility, farms, and other research facilitieshelp to recruit students for the Agriculture and Environmental Science program. Lincoln University is losing out to bigger universities because students don’t know the resources and facilities available in comparison to other schools. Agriculture Career Day will be conducted to make students aware of jobs in the area. We will continue working with area two year colleges to establish 2+2 programs and sign memeorandum of agreements.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A part time program coordinator/recruiter was hired to assist with recruitment process. Jefferson City Area Schools which was visited included, Jefferson City High School and Helias Catholic High School. During these visit students are being talked about the scholarships, hands on experience offered, and the internship opportunities available if they choose to participate in the program. They are also talked about different career paths that can be taken with a degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Agribusiness. An animal science class was visited in Jefferson City High School and the students were informed about the Agriculture and Environmental Science program and different scholarships offered within the program. Total of 12 high schools in St. Louis, Missouri were visited and information about Lincoln University in general and department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences programs in particular was disseminated to prospect senior students. Moreau Heights Elementary school in Jefferson City was visited and program about trees and their importance was conducted to 73 kindergaten students.

Publications