Source: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
1890 AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027349
Grant No.
2021-38430-35528
Cumulative Award Amt.
$500,000.00
Proposal No.
2021-10223
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2021
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2025
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[SCST]- 1890s Scholarships
Recipient Organization
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
820 CHESTNUT ST
JEFFERSON CITY,MO 651023537
Performing Department
College of Agriculture, Enviro
Non Technical Summary
To meet the goal of enhancing the diversity of the workforce in food, agricultural sciences and related fields, Lincoln University of Missouri will establish a robust program that provides scholarships to underrepresented undergraduates enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences (CAEHS). This program will engage, retain, mentor and expose students in classroom curriculum and experiential learning opportunities in agricultural related areas on campus and with industry, culminating in baccalaureate degrees. Further, this program will increase the number of graduates for entry-level positions in food and agricultural sciences and related fields. The objectives of the program is two-fold: (1) to target and enroll underrepresented students with an interest in food and agricultural sciences and a focus on future careers in this field, and (2) to prepare students to have meaningful undergraduate experiences while improving the technical competencies gaining the academic and hands-on skill competencies needed for the 21st century agricultural workforce. Once enrolled, students will navigate a 4-year Academic and Career Pathway that details milestones for college completion leading to graduation and gainful employment in the field of agriculture. Additional milestones include mentoring and fostering academic excellence in a variety of agricultural related disciplines, exposure to 21st century cutting-edge career options and the opportunity to make intentional employer contacts. Participants in the program will form a living learning community with intense interface with academic faculty, researchers and employers in the agricultural industry.
Animal Health Component
15%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
15%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80600013020100%
Knowledge Area
806 - Youth Development;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
To meet the goal of enhancing the diversity of the workforce in food, agricultural sciences and related fields, Lincoln University of Missouri will establish a robust program that provides scholarships to underrepresented undergraduates enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences (CAEHS). This program will engage, retain, mentor and expose students in classroom curriculum and experiential learning opportunities in agricultural related areas on campus and with industry, culminating in baccalaureate degrees. Further, this program will increase the number of graduates for entry-level positions in food and agricultural sciences and related fields. The objectives of the program is two-fold: (1) to target and enroll underrepresented students with an interest in food and agricultural sciences and a focus on future careers in this field, and (2) to prepare students to have meaningful undergraduate experiences while improving the technical competencies gaining the academic and hands-on skill competencies needed for the 21st century agricultural workforce. Once enrolled, students will navigate a 4-year Academic and Career Pathway that details milestones for college completion leading to graduation and gainful employment in the field of agriculture. Additional milestones include mentoring and fostering academic excellence in a variety of agricultural related disciplines, exposure to 21st century cutting-edge career options and the opportunity to make intentional employer contacts. Participants in the program will form a living learning community with intense interface with academic faculty, researchers and employers in the agricultural industry.
Project Methods
This program will engage, retain, mentor and expose students in classroom curriculum and experiential learning opportunities in agricultural related areas on campus and with industry, culminating in baccalaureate degrees. Further, this program will increase the number of graduates for entry-level positions in food and agricultural sciences and related fields.

Progress 07/15/22 to 07/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Lincoln University students, staff, and faculty; Missouri communities; US Congress; National Institute of Food and Agriculture-United States Department of Agriculture (NIFA-USDA); Other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Missouri Department of Conservation; Missouri Department of Agriculture; Missouri Department of Natural Resources; University of Missouri-Columbia and Rolla, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champagne, and the scientific community (research presentations/abstracts and peer-reviewed publications); US agriculture industries, and non-profit ventures. Changes/Problems:--Poor and inexperienced staffing and job losses. --A serious pandemic can complicate students' activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Scholars are encouraged to bemembers of the AgClub and MANRRS to gain leadership and other professional attributes. The College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences and the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences partner and collaborate with industry players (e.g., Scoular, Cargill, Boeing, etc.), and the University of Illinois - Urbana Champagne, Missouri Department of Conservation, USDA, US EPA, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and others for internships, practicums, and other career opportunities for students. LU 1890 scholars receive information on internships and job opportunities via emails and during the 1890 scholars' monthly meetings. Scholars are encouraged to develop extra knowledge and skills through certification courses (many are sponsored or fully paid via grant-awarded projects). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1) The progress report for the 1890 Agriculture Scholar Program is shared each semester with the Dean (College of Agriculture), faculty and staff in the college including the satellite offices under the college of Agriculture, LU upper administration, and other stakeholders/partners. 2) The success of the scholarship program is shared with industry and governmental agencies (e.g., USDA) seeking qualified individuals for Ag jobs. 3) Annual progress report on the scholarship is communicated to the USDA scholarship program manager. 4) Conference presentations/abstracts, research articles, and extension leaflets are communicated via symposia abstracts, journals, community outreach, and college newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All scholars will continue to engage in various college activities for excellent academic careers. 1) All scholars take a minimum of 12 credit hours of lectures and some involve online and laboratory hands-on experience. 2) Students are engaged in mentoring and volunteering activities e.g., FFA, Ag Literacy, and other field day programs. 3) Students will engage in development activities e.g., experiential learning research, extension work/surveys, community service to gain experience, 4) There is the potential for research or extension conference presentations and article publications. 5) Scholars will gain leadership skills through workshops in the College of Agriculture, in existing grant projects, and with collaborators/partners. 6) Scholars are encouraged to apply and receive internships for academic career development and growth. 7) Graduating scholars will advance to graduate school, take up careers or engage in enterprise.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1) Recruitment materials (1890 scholarship pamphlet, flyer for the BS degree program in Agriculture) were developed and the Lincoln University (LU) Agriculture Department's web page was updated to better improve the reach and advertisement of the USDA 1890 Agriculture scholarship. 2) The College of Agriculture, Environmental, and Human Sciences partnered with LU Admissions on recruitment into the Ag degree program. 3) Scholars engaged in experiential learning activities with faculty and staff with knowledge and experience in various agriculture sub-areas (aquaculture, water quality, hemp production and genetics, new vegetable, crops, hydroponics vegetable production, forest hydrology, soil health, etc. 4) Students gained knowledge in agriculture topics during the college seminar series, 5)Scholars supported faculty and staff during field days, Ag literacy day for freshmen and FFA day on the LU campus. 6) Scholars engaged extension staff to gain experience in survey preparation, extension reports, fieldwork, etc. 7) Scholars received internships to better increase their experience and the potential for jobs in the Ag industry and governmental agencies.

Publications


    Progress 07/15/21 to 07/14/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Freshmen students Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?There were several trainings from several agencies about internship and careers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Programs were publicized and shared with community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?There will be additional training and mentoring to scholars.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? The two goals were achieved.The student recruitment went very well and now the students are going to the second year.

    Publications