Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience: HBCU faculties, college and high school students, farmers (especially those small farmers coming from previously underserved and underrepresented communities and minority groups), Extension specialists, local communities,federal and state agencies (USDA, EPA, NSF, MDNR, etc.), academia,Agricultural Professionals, Industry, stakeholders and residents. Changes/Problems:At Lincoln University of Missouri (LU), the program underwent Co-PI changes with the departure of Drs. Bin Hua and Sean Zeiger. Despite these changes, their associated students and research projects will continue with minor adjustments, and no major issues are expected in achieving the project's goals. At Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), Dr. Fateme Rezaei, a Co-PI, left in January 2024 and was replaced by Dr. Jee-Ching Wang from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biochemical Engineering, ensuring a smooth transition. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The NextGen Program has made great progress in community outreach and engagement. Outreach materials, such as brochures, flyers, posters, YouTube videos, and local media interviews, were created and disseminated to raise NextGen awareness, while school districts and high school principals were actively contacted to promote the program. The activities have promoted Ag awareness and enhanced student recruitment. Hands-on workshops and research experiential learning programs engaged students and professionals, with sponsored students conducting experiments, providing regular progress reports and showcasing their research at international and domestic conferences. Multiple manuscripts are being prepared for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Students also communicated research progress to sponsors and professional societies via newsletters. The program used satellite sites to share research and collaboration results with farmers, particularly those from underrepresented and underserved communities. State and local newspapers further expanded outreach, and student achievements were highlighted through participation in Undergraduate Research Day and local symposiums. A dedicated website is under construction, featuring student activities and conference travels. Posters were displayed on campuses, and radio interviews helped promote the program. Overall, the NextGen Program's outreach has successfully combined digital media, publications, hands-on learning, and public events to raise awareness and foster collaboration across various communities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach materials, including brochures, posters, website, recruitment flyers, YouTube videos, local newspapers, radio interviews, news report, newsletters, news releases, were reached out to students, high schools, and communities through social media, mail, email, phone call, in-person visit and presentation, and community events. Sponsored students regularly communicate with and submit progress reports to faculty supervisors and present their work at national, international and regional or local conferences and workshops, meanwhile multiple manuscripts are in preparation for journal submission and publication. Outreach and Extension office throughout Missouri to communicate the NextGen program and share relevant research and collaboration results and experiences with farmers, especially those underrepresented groups, small farmers and underserved communities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The NextGen Program will focus on several initiatives in the next reporting period to broaden its impacts, especially among minority and underserved communities. A key goal is the improvement and launch of a dynamic website to streamline communication across campuses. Outreach efforts will be bolstered by Cooperative Extension programs and satellite sites to connect with minority groups and develop graduate programs, particularly in soil health, along with new graduate-level courses. Recruitment of minority students remains a priority, with partnerships and experiential learning opportunities aimed at attracting a diverse student body. The program is also developing "Fast Track" pathways from bachelor to master programs, ensuring a skilled future agricultural workforce. Efforts to disseminate research will continue through campus participation, conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and annual symposiums. Future plans include new internship and scholarship opportunities, as well as summer camps for high school and undergraduate students. These will provide research training and exposure to academic programs. In 2024, outreach will expand with activities like the Water Ambassador Scholarship and participation in events such as the Science Farm Review. To oversee the program's success, a technical and advisory board will be formed, consisting of investigators and experts to ensure progress and high-level coordination.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project team made significant efforts in promoting the NextGen project and outreach to local schools and communities for student recruitment, including the 2023 Missouri State Fair, where Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) engaged over 2,000 attendees to promote agricultural education (Goal 3: Outreach and Engagement Projects). This outreach effort extended to local high schools across Missouri to foster recruitment and raise awareness about opportunities in agriculture (Goal 3). The program successfully increased the visibility of agricultural careers, with one visitor remarking, "The booth at the fair opened my eyes to how impactful agriculture programs can be, and it's exciting to know students are getting these opportunities." The NextGen program also targeted over 30 high school students with USDA-NASA STEAM Summer Camp, designed to promote Ag awareness and interest in agricultural science, with fields like forest ecology and aquaculture covered in hands-on sessions (Goal 3). One participant shared, "This camp gave me a new appreciation for agriculture. I now see myself pursuing a career in agricultural sciences." Missouri S&T and CSU also hosted camps where high school students explored forestry and aquaculture through similar projects (Goal 3). These camps introduced students to agricultural science at an early stage, fostering a pipeline for future leaders in the field. Workshops on waste management technology at Texas A&M attracted over 50 professionals and students, exposing participants to sustainable agricultural practices (Goal 2). A student attending the workshop commented, "I never realized how much technology could transform sustainable practices." This exposure to advanced waste management techniques not only enhanced participants' technical expertise but also encouraged them to consider sustainability in their future careers. The project supported 20 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs through scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities (Goal 1: Student Scholarship Projects and Goal 2: Experiential Learning Projects). These scholarships allowed students to focus on their studies without financial worries, as one student shared, "The USDA NextGen scholarship has given me the financial freedom to fully focus on my education and research without the burden of debt." The scholarship not only enabled this student to pursue a master's degree but also opened doors to further opportunities like a potential doctorate (Goal 1). In the USDA Agricultural Export Market Challenge, students gained practical insights into export processes and market analysis (Goal 2). One student remarked, "This experience showed me how vast the agricultural field is. I now feel more confident in pursuing a career in ag exports." These hands-on learning experiences broadened students' perspectives and prepared them for real-world challenges in agriculture. Research experiential leaning opportunities were a key focus, with the program recruiting students to work on advanced research methodologies, and minority graduate students trained in using tools like UHPLC-MS/MS for water and soil analysis (Goal 2). One Missouri S&T PhD student reflected, "The hands-on training I received prepared me for any challenge in environmental research." These experiences expanded students' technical skills and knowledge, preparing them to solve critical environmental and agricultural issues. Student achievements were highlighted at national conferences. Three LU students attended the USDA NEXTGEN Spring Summit in Washington, DC, where they networked with professionals and explored USDA career paths (Goal 3). One student shared, "Before the summit, I didn't know how many career options existed in the federal sector for someone like me. Now, I'm seriously considering a career with the USDA." CSU students were recognized at MANRRS (Goal 3), where one student reflected, "Speaking on that panel was revolutionary. It made me realize the power of my voice and the importance of being a leader in agriculture." These experiences opened new career opportunities for students, inspiring many to consider federal roles. The beekeeping workshop at CSU, attended by 20 Ohio beekeepers, the former State Apiarist of Ohio, and CSU students (Goal 3). The workshop provided hands-on training on queen breeding and grafting, equipping participants with vital skills in the beekeeping industry (Goal 2). Three undergraduates visited the USDA ARS labs at Purdue University to present research posters and explore entomological research (Goal 2). One participant, Joel Barhorst, shared, "This internship helped me to understand how to be a better scientist. It taught me more about how reading is fundamentally important for science... It helped me gauge my strengths and weaknesses and reminded me that science is a big learning process." Missouri S&T partnered with Bayer Crop Science to identify chemical markers for corn seed vigor, while TAMU students participated in a food waste composting project in Houston (Goal 2). One high school participant shared, "This project showed me how I can make a difference in my community through science." These research collaborations demonstrated the real-world applications of agricultural science, with students gaining hands-on experience that directly impacted their communities. Supporting underrepresented students remained a priority throughout the program. Minority students from LU attended the 2023 ACS Fall Meeting, where they learned about the latest advancements in agricultural science (Goals 1 and 3). One attendee shared, "This conference expanded my horizon." Across the board, the program helped students grow both academically and personally, providing them with the resources and opportunities to excel. One Missouri S&T student remarked, "NextGen gave us the resources to excel, and we couldn't have done it without their support." Overall, the NextGen Program advanced agricultural education through a combination of outreach (Goal 3), research (Goal 2), and experiential learning (Goal 2), equipping students with the tools and skills needed to address future challenges in the agriculture industry. As one student noted, "This program didn't just provide financial support; it opened doors I didn't know existed and gave me a community of like-minded individuals." The program is positioned to continue expanding its impact through future high school summer camps and research partnerships, helping to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. CSU's Career Expo and LU's Career Fair provided students opportunity majoring in STEAM and Sustainable Agriculture with valuable exposure to USDA careers (Goal 3). Partnerships with MANRRS supported student activities such as plant sales, recycling, meetings, and advising sessions (Goal 3), fostering a sense of community and professional development among students. Undergraduate student Keara Clarke maximized these opportunities by participating in both the USDA 100-year Outlook Forum and the USDA NEXTGEN Spring Student Summit in Washington, DC. She conducted research on pollinator health with co-PI, Dr. Li-Byarlay (Goal 2), later reflecting, "This experience at the USDA forum was truly life-changing. It opened my eyes to the possibilities and potential within the agriculture industry." With all these impacts across research, professional development, leadership, and community engagement (Goals 1, 2, and 3), the NextGen Program is truly setting the stage for training the next generation of leaders in the agricultural sector.
Publications
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