Recipient Organization
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
1680 MADISON AVENUE
WOOSTER,OH 44691
Performing Department
Animal Science
Non Technical Summary
Background SummaryFor over 400 years, Puerto Rico's economy was based on agriculture, historically focused on sugar cane, tobacco and citrus fruits. The island's economy rapidly industrialized after World War II, leading to the downfall of agriculture production. In recent years, in part because of the island's economic recession, people went back to the fields, and the industry was slowly going through a small renaissance, growing at 3 to 5 percent every year over the past six years. While most of the island's food is imported, statistics from the governor as of late 2016 reported about 7,000 people working in agriculture, farm income growing and acres under cultivation up 50 percent over the past four years. Before the landing of Hurricane Maria, a growing farm-to-table movement had generated optimism in recent years about an agricultural rebirth.Problems/Challenges:Puerto Rico was importing about 85% of its food, and now its food imports are certain to rise drastically as local products like coffee and plantains are added to the list of Maria's staggering losses. Crops weren't the only means of agriculture, livestock contributed to this industry. The Dairy industry made up one-third of their agriculture followed by poultry, beef cattle and swine that has come down to practically non-existent.CFAES and UPRMDr. Lyda G. Garcia (assistant professor of Meat Science, CFAES) has worked with Animal Science and Meat Science faculty from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez (UPRM) for two years establishing a collaborative relationship. Faculty from the university initially reached out to Dr. Garcia (May 2015) for assistance in investigating levels of calpain and calpastatin (natural occurring enzymes) in skeletal muscle while attempting to add value in Senepol cattle for meat. In May 2017, a fundamental pilot study was launched regarding the positive impacts of castration in bull calves on overall beef quality at one of their university beef facilities. However, due to the massive impact of Maria (September 2017), all work and trials were quickly postponed.Opportunities:Despite the devastation the island of Puerto Rico has recently encountered, this catastrophe allows great opportunities to rebuild agriculture stronger than before, allowing for the opportunity to make it more efficient. Efficiency would include, but not limited to: using modern equipment; stronger infrastructure; and better practices. Providing students with the opportunity to study on the mainland (US), enables them to return to their communities and implement modern livestock practices and its effects on meat quality (meat science). Thus, supporting the economic growth and sustainable development of P.R. With Puerto Rican businesses and public schools and universities on hold, the occasion arises in targeting current millennials who are pursuing higher education in agriculture as key in the rebuilding of the future of agriculture for our fellow neighbor. The Departments of Animal Sciences and Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) have decided to collaborate on the proposed two-year program. Rebuilding the agricultural sector will take individuals prepared to lead change. While Animal Sciences will equip students with the technical knowledge and skills needed to engage in more sustainable and profitable practices, ACEL will support their growth in 21st Century Transferable skills and the knowhow to affect behavior change. Through their coursework and professional development opportunities, students will return to their communities as agents of change prepared to rebuild and strengthen the agricultural sector.The goal of the Multi Scholars Program is to bring two students from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez to complete their final two years of B.S. in the Departments of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. Students would return to their islands to contribute to the rebuilding of agriculture using modern livestock practices. The proposed goal will be achieved through the following objectives:Objective 1. To recruit two undergraduate Hispanic students (junior classification) from UPRM interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in Meat Science while minoring in Communication, Education, and Leadership. Objective 2. Engage scholars in Experiential Learning Activities: 1) Internships, 2) Undergraduate Research, 3) Extension/Outreach programs; and/or 4) Competitive Teams (i.e. Meat Judging Team). Objective 3. Develop a cohort of cultural change agents and student advocates for promoting opportunities for agriculture (i.e. livestock producers) in Puerto Rico. Objective 4. Use a variety of methodologies to determine the impact and effects of students participating in the program to return and contribute to the rebuilding of agriculture in Puerto Rico.The objectives will be met through the following interdisciplinary activities: 1. Develop a mentoring program for scholars; 2. Engage scholars in undergraduate research; 3. Engage scholars in extension and outreach events; and 4. Engage scholars in competitive teams.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Multi Scholars Program is to bring two students from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez to complete their final two years of B.S. in the Departments of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. Students would return to their islands to contribute to the rebuilding of agriculture using modern livestock practices.The proposed goal will be achieved through the following objectives:Objective 1. To recruit two undergraduate Hispanic students (junior classification) from UPRM interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in Meat Science while minoring in Communication. Objective 2. Engage scholars in Experiential Learning Activities: 1) Undergraduate research; 2) Internships, 3) Extension/Outreach programs; and 4) Competitive Teams (i.e. Meat Judging Team). Objective 3. Develop a cohort of cultural change agents and student advocates for promoting opportunities for agriculture (i.e. livestock producers) in Puerto Rico. Objective 4. Use a variety of methodologies to determine the impact and effects of scholars participating in the program to return and contribute to the rebuilding of agriculture in Puerto Rico.
Project Methods
CURRICULUMMeat Science MajorA bachelor's degree in Meat Science at The Ohio State University requires students to meet 121 total credits. Of the 121 total credit, thirty-seven credit hours pertain to the major requirements with 11-13 hours of electives. Examples of core meat science courses include, but not limited to: Animal Growth and Development, Animal Nutrition, Food Quality Assurance, Food Safety and Public Health, Introduction to Meat Science, Meat Animal and Carcass Evaluation, and Processed Meats.*Note: A full description of major can be found in appendices.Agricultural Communication and Leadership MinorUndergraduate students in CFAES are required to choose a minor outside of their major. A minimum of fourteen total credits are needed to fulfill a communication minor at The Ohio State University. Example of courses would include, but not limit to: Introduction to Ag Communication, Education, & Leadership; Advanced Agriculture Communication; Program Development and Foundations of Personal and Professional Leadership; and Methods of Teaching in Non-Formal. The above courses were chosen to help build the students' 21st century skills capacity. *Note: A full description of minor can be found in appendices.Mentoring of ScholarsScholars will be mentored by Dr.'s Lyda Garcia and Mary Rodriguez who will guide them through this process as well as serve as council and academic advisor throughout their matriculation. Scholars will meet with mentors a minimum of once a week.Programs of DistinctionScholars will be required to work on undergraduate research (n=1) AND conduct a three-month summer internship (n=1) the duration of the two-year program. Undergraduate Research ForumsThe Ohio State University is large in promoting, conducting and presenting undergraduate research. Students involved in undergraduate research project will benefit greatly from this collaboration and the support structure already in place. Currently, opportunities available within the university include: 1) CFAES (March) Undergraduate Research Forum and 2) The Richard J. and Martha D. Denman University Undergraduate Research Forum (April). Both research forums are designed for undergraduates to present results of research projects. SEL funds from this portion of the budget will be dedicated for research expenses and printing costs.National Meeting Undergraduate Research Poster CompetitionsUpon completion of research projects, scholars will have the opportunity to compete at a national level among their peers from various universities throughout the United States. By competing, scholars will be required to have a solid background in their research area of study as well as utilizing great communication skills for relaying data analysis. Summer Internship with the Meat Laboratory in the Dept. of Animal Sciences Summer internships are currently offered to Animal and Meat Science student for credit (3 hrs). Scholars will be under the direction of Dr. Lyda G. Garcia and Mr. Ronald Cramer, meat lab manager (Retired State Meat Inspector for Ohio). A University Meat Laboratory is considered a small scale compared to the industry as a whole. Practices, FSIS regulations, equipment, inspection, evaluations, record keeping etc. in a meat laboratory mirror image U.S. meat industry. The OSU meat Laboratory is a federally inspected facility that houses a USDA-FSIS Inspector during times of production Mon. - Fri. with 8 / day. Learning outcomes will be focused on:Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) requirements on inspection (from receiving of animal's to packaging);FSIS regulations on bacterial swabs on carcasses;Understand Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)Basic cutting guidelines per specie;Basic cuts of primals, subprimals, and retail cuts and economic value based on U.S. market;Importance of cutting yields on economic value of product and effects on sales;Meat Processing and value added products;Understanding muscle myology and anatomy;Understanding marketing and consumer perceptions based on the meat laboratory meat customer sales;Cause and effects of quality defects caused by stress and handling;Effects of ultimate muscle pH;Importance of muscle color (myoglobin) and consumer appeal.Participation on a Competitive TeamScholars will join the 2019 Buckeye Meat Judging team where they will learn to evaluate carcasses (beef, pork, and, lamb), wholesale cuts (beef and pork) and subprimals for specifications (beef, pork, and lamb) while travelling the United States, hosted by major meat companies such as Tyson Foods, JBS- Swift, and Cargill. "Judging is a competitive event for youth through collegiate age students and it has a deep-rooted history with the meat industry. Students equipped with a general knowledge in meat evaluation are able to be competitive in the judging arena, but more importantly will be the individuals that lead our industry into the future." (National Provisioner, 2017). Extension / Outreach OpportunitiesExtension and outreach programs are a critical component of CFAES. Dr.'s Lyda Garcia and Stephen Boyles both hold high extension appointment. Scholars will have the opportunity to take part in outreach programs in Meat Science involving: primary and secondary public schools and livestock producers of Ohio. Examples of outreach programs include, but not limited to:4-H & FFA Buckeye Invitational Meat Judging ContestState 4H/FFA Meat Judging Contest;Livestock and Meat Judging Camps/Clinics (14-18 yr. olds);Beef & Lamb 509 (beef & lamb producer's extension workshop from hoof to plate);Junior Swine Day (8 - 18yr olds with parents)Carcass Shows (for youth involved in FFA / 4H w/ parents) June - October;Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program (LSAMP, Minority Freshman majoring in STEM fields)After School All-Starts (at risk youth, 11 - 13 yr olds);Beef Quality Assurance Training (targeted for beef producers)By exposing students to the numerous opportunities that exist outside of the classroom will be presented by both the Department of Animal Sciences and the Department of Communication, Education and Leadership to the students, the scholars are most likely to acquire well-rounded positive experiences regardless of field of study.EVALUATION AND ASSESMENTStudents will be evaluated for critical thinking skills in a pretest/post-test format to determine changes during the program. Retention, graduation rates and time to matriculation will be quantified for each student and the cohort and compared to general student population metrics within the college. Participation in further recruiting of Hispanic students will be encouraged and quantified. Finally, students will complete an exit survey to collect qualitative data relating to the perceived benefits of the program as well as methods for improvement.