Performing Department
2000 - Dean Environment Life S
Non Technical Summary
The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) requests $749,950 to fund and mentor 10 students/year at a ratio of 1 mentor/student/year (43 weeks) for four years (a total of 40 students) with a one year planning phase to begin the program. The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) will provide funded, year-long experiential learning opportunities in sustainable agricultural intensification, food and nutrition translation, and agricultural science policy leadership to students enrolled at University of Rhode Island (URI) and Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). The AFSFP will be administered by an interdisciplinary team of faculty at URI and CCRI, and extension faculty and staff at URI with experience and commitment to supporting undergraduate students interested in pursuing agriculture and food system-related careers. A cornerstone of the program for all participants, including mentors, will be training in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion as it relates to the food system and community and individual well-being. The program will incorporate a multi-faceted suite of training in leadership and professional skills, inclusive science communication and community-led engagement, industry-led training and networking opportunities, and agricultural science and policy practice through intern- and externships. An integral component of the program is an extension practicum that incorporates near peer teams of middle and high school students from underrepresented populations and AFS Fellows, who design and deliver in-school, agriculture science-based educational programming with support from URI Extension 4H staff. This tiered training and engagement model builds an immediate talent pipeline of agricultural professionals, and also serves to inspire the next generation to work collaboratively to build a safer, healthier, sustainable and equitable future for agriculture and food systems. Primary AFRI Farm Bill priority areas of the Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) are:Plant health and production and plant productsAnimal health and production and animal productsFood safety, nutrition and healthBioenergy, natural resources and environmentAgriculture systems and technologyMain field(s) and sub-field(s) of the research and/or extension of the Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) are:Sustainable agriculture intensification (urban agriculture, vegetable production, aquaculture, animal science)Food science and nutrition translation (nutrition, food safety)Agricultural science policy leadership (food system policy, local food system advocacy, food equity, food justice)Percentage of undergraduate students from the host institution:50%Number of weeks per year that the students will participate:30 weeks (two academic semesters) + 13 weeks (June-August) = 43 weeksRelevance of the project the goals of REEU program area:Fellowship graduates will gain many skills translatable to a career in agriculture. Fellows will gain factual knowledge in the fields of plant science and entomology, animal science, nutrition, food science, policy, and science communication. Working alongside mentors will enhance fellows' understanding of the a) research process, including how to develop hypotheses, design experiments and collect data; and b) extension program delivery and evaluation, including how to design effective education and engagement programming, form community-led partnerships and evaluate program effectiveness. Close collaboration with other fellows in their cohort, their fellowship mentors, industry partners and other experts they gain access to through the fellowship program, and youth communities will foster development of teamwork, communication, and leadership skills critical to the agriculture and the food system industry.All undergraduates will participate in experiential learning opportunities through fellowships with URI faculty and staff members actively engaged in research and extension projects. Fellows will work directly with faculty and staff either in laboratories or at field sites to conduct research. In some instances, fellows will complete externships with community and/or industry partners. Fellows will engage the public through dissemination of research practices, findings, demonstrations through established URI Extension marketing and communication channels. Teaching practicums in Title 1 middle and high schools will be required of all fellows and will provide additional training in extension program delivery alongside 4-H staff.The RI Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program addresses three of the five REEU-specific themes: sustainable agricultural intensification, food and nutrition translation, and agricultural science policy leadership. URI faculty and staff and community / industry partners actively working in each REEU area of study will serve as year-long mentors to four fellowship cohorts of at least ten students each.Inclusion of a wide range of agricultural and food systems researchers, extension educators and industry professionals will ensure that fellows have the opportunity to explore a wide breadth of relevant fields and disciplines, and also examine the intricacies and challenges associated with food equity and justice, local food economies, policy and food-related sciences. Fellows will engage in research and extension projects under the guidance of a mentor and form relationships with key faculty and staff members across departments and colleges. Fellows will simultaneously participate in microlectures and field visits designed to enhance their knowledge of the scope of agricultural and food system sciences in Rhode Island and introduce them to community and industry partners to build networks that will serve them post-college. This and inclusion of externships will allow Fellows to see beyond the world of academia into the businesses, agencies and organizations at the heart of the sustainable agriculture and local food system movement. Additionally, students will be required to participate in community education and engagement in the public, industry and professional settings, honing their science communication and public engagement skills.Relevance of the project to the goals of AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD):The RI AFSFP:Will provide opportunities for leadership and professional skills development;Aligns with five of the six USDA Farm Bill priority areas, including:Plant health and production and plant productsAnimal health and production and animal productsFood safety, nutrition and healthBioenergy, natural resources and environmentAgriculture systems and technologyThe Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) aligns with sustainable agriculture goals, including:Satisfying human food and fiber needs;Enhancing environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;Making the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;Sustaining the economic viability of farm operations; andEnhancing quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) aligns with USDA Strategic Goals:Strategic Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World;Strategic Goal 3: Promote American Agricultural Products and Exports;Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development;Strategic Goal 5: Strengthen the Stewardship of Private Lands Through Technology and Research;Strategic Goal 6: Ensure Productive and Sustainable Use of Our National Forest System Lands; andStrategic Goal 7: Provide All Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food Supply.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
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Goals / Objectives
The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP): A model for student engagement in agricultural science and policy that incorporates experiential learning intern-/externships with academic and industry experts, an industry training institute, networking opportunities, academic coursework in leadership and professional skill development, science communication and community-led engagement, and a program-wide commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the food system in Rhode Island through conversation and sensitivity training for all program participants. The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) requests $749,950 to fund and mentor 10 students/year at a ratio of 1 mentor/student/year (43 weeks) for four years (a total of 40 students) with a one year planning phase to begin the program.Our team believe that the new generation of agriculture and food system professionals must be culturally competent and diverse, as the food insecurity crisis disproportionately affects people of color. Our proposed program centers people of color in the agricultural workforce, empowering the communities most impacted by the challenges of food insecurity to be partners in designing effective, community-based solutions. The Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) will help develop professionals preparing to enter the agricultural workforce by equipping them with the skills to translate, communicate, and collaborate with outside communities and agencies to provide cohesive and lasting solutions. These skills support careers ranging from agricultural economists and food safety specialists to agricultural engineers and environmental scientists. As scholars have demonstrated for decades, experiential learning is a key component of cultivating meaningful and actionable connections between scientific research, academic institutions, industry partners, and community stakeholders.To acquire the necessary skill sets to solve the complex problems engendered by our current food and agricultural system, the new generation must expand beyond purely academic learning; they must also engage in experiential learning opportunities that center and support community engagement and equity. By engaging historically underrepresented students from the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in experiential learning opportunities, our Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program (AFSFP) creates a learning framework in which students synthesize more holistic solutions, preparing a diverse workforce that is inclusive, employable, and globally competent with the complex skill set necessary for equitable and meaningful change. The AFSFP leverages an interdisciplinary team of policy makers, professionals, students, staff and faculty from the URI, CCRI, private industry project partners and RI middle and secondary schools to build meaningful experiential learning programs that support the agricultural sector with a vertically integrated talent pipeline. The proposed program taps into the momentum behind successful academic programs at RI's public institutions and agriculture and food systems-related workforce development efforts, supporting undergraduate students interested in pursuing agriculture and food systems careers and graduate education. Additionally, this project aims to spark interest in agriculture and food system careers amongst middle and high school youth from underrepresented backgrounds, as they co-create projects as a part of a near-peer team with AFSFP undergraduate fellows.The AFSFP's structure and components are inspired by URI's successful Energy Fellows Program (EFP), a yearlong experiential learning program established in 2008 that has seen 130 undergraduate and graduate students interested in clean energy careers complete program requirements; 80% have moved into either full-time paid positions in the energy sector or energy-related graduate programs following graduation. EFP industry and faculty mentors consistently laud the program model for how effectively it prepares students to confidently and resourcefully navigate complex energy challenges through training, mentorship, networking and experience with interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. We envision the same outcome for the year-long AFSFP, as it includes both successful elements of the EFP, as well as innovative aspects integral to agriculture and food systems work.To prepare students to address the critical inequalities and injustices that characterize our current food system, AFS Fellows will complete a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) microcredential tailored to the program and taught by the Director of URI's Office of Community Equity and Diversity. They will also engage with resources curated by Food Solutions New England's 21-Day Equity Challenge team, leading discussions with their cohort during all-hands meetings. The AFSFP will also include a variety of academic, experiential and industry-based activities, including funded, year-long experiential learning opportunities in sustainable agricultural intensification, food and nutrition translation, and agricultural science policy leadership. Undergraduate students enrolled at URI and CCRI accepted into the program will have intern- and externship opportunities with AFS leaders in Rhode Island. The program will also incorporate a multi-faceted suite of training in leadership and professional skills, equity and inclusion practices, science communication, and community-led engagement, as well as industry-led training and networking opportunities.An integral component of the fellowship is participation in an extension practicum facilitated by URI 4-H staff. The practicum will provide AFS fellows the opportunity to co-create educational projects with approximately 50 middle and high school students from low-wealth communities of color each year. Fellows and students will work as near-peer teams to address an agricultural or food-related issue within the students' community. AFSFP undergraduates will gain experience disseminating their knowledge and working alongside (young) community partners to facilitate change. Over the course of the program, the project team will collaborate with educators from 2-5 partner schools to integrate the practicum into schools' existing curriculum.This program's tiered training and engagement model will build an immediate talent pipeline of mid-level agricultural science and policy professionals, and will also serve to inspire the next generation of effective, diverse U.S. agriculture and food systems professionals who work collaboratively to build a safer, healthier, more sustainable and equitable future for agriculture and food systems.
Project Methods
PROJECT EVALUATION AND REPORTING - EVALUATION TIMELINETable 1: AFSFP Evaluation and Reporting TimelineCohort A: 2023 // Cohort B: 2024 // Cohort C: 2025 // Cohort D: 2026JANStudents complete pre-fellowship Skill Assessment (Cohort A, B, C, D)MAYStudents complete mid-fellowship Skill Assessment (Cohort A, B, C, D)SEPMentors complete post-fellowship Student Development Survey (Cohort A, B, C, D)NOVStudents complete Personal Statement (Cohort A, B, C, D)DECStudents complete post-fellowship Skill Assessment & Final Reflection (Cohort A, B, C, D); All complete Program Evaluation SurveyJANProject team revises ITR courses with feedback pre-, mid- and post-fellowship Skills Assessments, Student Development Surveys and Practicum Reflections from prior years' cohort (Cohort B, C, D);Project team shares assessment reports with USDA NIFA Project DirectorProfessional and leadership skill development will be measured for each of the four AFSFP cohorts (A-D) before, during, and after the fellowship via self-completed Likert-scale questionnaires, which will provide longitudinal data for individuals and each cohort when analyzed by program staff. As data are collected on fellows' skills and understanding of leadership, Dr. Jones and Dr. Cox will analyze them for any patterns of skill gaps or knowledge deficits. The results will be carefully integrated into the two proposed ITR courses, which will be adapted to meet each cohort's needs annually and offer student-directed learning opportunities for skill development and refinement. Students in cohorts A-D will also produce (1) a Final Reflection, in which fellows evaluate and reflect on their experiences as program participants, describing lessons learned and skills developed or enhanced over the course of the fellowship; and (2) a Personal Statement on approaches to environmentally- and socially-responsible leadership. Instructions for each written product will be carefully crafted to prompt students to reflect and describe their experiences in qualitative and longitudinal terms, which will then be coded and analyzed by Co-PIs Dr. Cox and Dr. Jones to assess program strengths and areas of growth. Mentors with whom the fellows are placed will also complete objective Likert-scale questionnaires and free response prompts designed to assess individual fellows' proficiency in professional communication (written and oral), teamwork, leadership, time management, organization, work ethic and adaptability. Each September, following completion of the 400-hour intern-/externship, mentors will also be asked to describe each student's observed approach to problem-solving and overcoming challenges, and what skills or area(s) need further development to succeed in a professional setting post-graduation. Mentor comments will be coded and analyzed cohort-wide, and shared with students in 1-on-1 meetings in the fall.Anonymous course, mentor and summer internship/industry training, and fall practicum evaluations from students, mentors and project partners, which will also solicit suggestions for improvement, will highlight programmatic areas of improvement and serve as assessments of the program's success and effectiveness in supporting student skill acquisition and refinement. Because each cohort will be small, surveys will be designed to maintain anonymity so that responses are honest and confidential. The nature and quality of project partnerships will also be assessed each year and summarized over this multi-year project by project PIs, based on fellows' and partners' assessments of the fellowship experience, partner responsiveness and continued collaboration and support, and the degree of partner-mediated facilitation of expansion of partnership networks.The number, type and quality of presentations and publications resulting from student fellowship participation and program evaluation efforts will serve as an additional metric to document the program's success and the transferability of its approach. In the final year of the project, lessons learned in program design and evolution based on documented outcomes and student and project partner feedback will be synthesized and shared in appropriate publication mediums to inform future implementations of experiential learning programs at URI and other institutions.LONGITUDINAL STUDENT TRACKINGStudent enrollment and persistence in AFS-related majors, in addition to graduation rates, will also be monitored by the coordinator for each cohort until graduation, and compared to metrics for students in similar majors in previous years, or non-AFS major students in concurrent years to gauge program impact on student academic success. Job placement rates post-college in AFS-related industries, and/or acceptance into graduate degree programs, and whether they can be traced back to fellowship experiences will also serve as an assessment of the program's success in preparing students for careers in the agricultural sector. Data tracked will include student demographics, major, minor (documenting any changes as applicable), years to degree, GPA, number of presentations and/or publications before graduation, merit-based scholarships and awards earned, leadership roles held, other AFS-related internships and work experiences, as well as post-graduation career or graduate education goals. The coordinator will liaise with the URI Center for Career and Experiential Education and the URI Office of Advancement Services to establish a tracking database where internship- and career-related data will be held. The AFSFP will reach out to fellows periodically pre- and post-graduation and organize informal annual fellowship alumni events in an effort to document post-graduation career successes, including employer/level, institutional affiliation and highest degree progress or attainment) for willing fellowship graduates. LinkedIn profiles, Facebook, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, OrcID and similar publicly available sources of information on fellows' career progress will be used to verify and/or augment this student-reported information. This data will be aggregated and included in annual reports written by the project team and in a final report of accomplishments at the end of the grant period.