Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
The goals and objectives of the Next Generation of West Virginia Agriculture Professionals meets all primary of focus areas for the project From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals. This project will also aid in creating further generations of agriculture professionals. This proposal contains goals in the areas of paid experiential learning opportunities, scholarships, non-formal education activities and innovated recruitment and retention initiatives.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Goal 1 - Create WV Agriculture Education Completer curriculum and release to WV Agriculture Education Teachers.Goal 2 - Provide scholarships to students entering into food, agriculture, natural resources, and human resources majors at West Virginia State University.Goal 3 - Provide immersive food, agriculture, natural resources, and human resources internships throughout student's post-secondary education with West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Project Methods
Goal 1 - Create WV Agriculture Education Completer curriculum and release to WV Agriculture Education Teachers. Work will begin immediately upon funding. Two individuals will be hired at this time. The first person will be hired as a curriculum specialist. The curriculum specialist will work with the WV Department of Education CTE Division to make sure all WV and national agriculture education standards are addressed in the curriculum. The curriculum specialist will work with the WV FFA director to identify teachers throughout the state that are offering certifications. These teachers are considered as experts in the field and will be critical in the success of the curriculum creation. Stipends will be awarded to teachers that put together lessons, visuals, assessments and laboratory exercises. The curriculum specialist will format all materials and create an online curriculum site for WV agriculture education teachers to access. All materials will be branded with USDA and WVSU insignia. Curriculum will be available to all agriculture education teachers nationally after the first two years of piloting. An agriculture extension educator (formerly titled agriculture extension agent) will be hired within the WVSU extension ANR program. The educator will be the key to tying all of the goals together. The extension educator will have direct contact with all linkages and partnerships. The extension educator will aid in train the trainer programs with our WV agriculture teachers. Training will exist to demonstrate the materials that are available and how to use them successfully. Training will occur during summer teacher's conferences and at FFA state events. The extension educator will host a state FFA field day at WVSU each year. Field days will consist of career and development practices, campus tours and USDA career opportunity presentations. Our local USDA entities will be participating and will have a role in the design of the program. The extension educator will also serve a critical role in making sure that mentor, mentee relationships are created and run smoothly throughout. The educator will travel to high school career days throughout the state and offer materials and information concerning FANH careers within the USDA. The extension educator will be available throughout to make a comfortable transition from secondary education to post-secondary education while integrating experiential learning opportunities. The educator will serve as the main contact for students and partners and will develop long lasting, positive relationships with all involved. Monthly, NEXTGEN Scholar meetings/activities will take place to keep up to date with the scholars and address any problems that they may be facing. Monthly contact will also create a stronger cohort among its members. This process will aid in the recruitment of students interested in FANH careers and will offer support for student retention in their selected programs.Goal 2 -- Provide scholarships to students entering into FANH majors at West Virginia State University. NEXTGEN Scholars will begin in years 2-4 of the granting period. Scholarships will be issued to students that have successfully completed the agriculture education completer program offered by the West Virginia Department of Education and endorsed by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The criteria to meet completer status is to complete a series of courses in a particular agriculture area. Other requirements for completer status are; two years of a supervised agricultural experience program and passing the NOCTI exam in their completer area. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 to be issued a scholarship. Scholarship recipients would need to maintain at least a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 each semester to continue in the program. Recipients would also participate in USDA internship programs (Goal 3).Scholarships (30) awarded through this program will be issued to cohorts (10 students each year). USDA partners will aid in identifying critical needs areas. Ten students will be awarded scholarships and internships each year in years 2-4, totaling 30 students to successfully complete an undergraduate degree while participating in 1500 hours of experiential learning through USDA FANH internships. Scholarships will include; tuition, supplies, lab fees, books and room and board.Goal 3 - Provide immersive FANH internships throughout student's post-secondary education with West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Internships would be available for all NEXTGEN Scholars. Internships will be issued to students enrolled at West Virginia State University in FANH USDA career fields. Internships may differ depending on student schedules. Some internships may take place during the summer while others may be continuous during the undergraduate period.The agriculture educator will serve as the liaison between WVSU and the WVDA. Students will be able to participate in various internships with WVDA, WVNRCS, WV Forestry, WVFSA, etc. Internships may be guided to student interest and WVDA needs. Students will have the option to focus on one particular internship or experience multiple topics throughout the program. Students will be paid a base salary for their work during their internship. WVDA will be a partner and receive an internship budget during years 2-5 of the program. A Co-PI for this project will serve as an internship evaluator. Interns will be evaluated on performance, attendance and dependability. The agriculture educator will also evaluate student satisfaction with their internship mentors and experiences.