Source: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA submitted to
DIVERSE NEXT GEN FOOD POLICY LEADERS TRAINED IN RESILIENT SYSTEMS AND FEDERAL WORKFORCE-READY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1030907
Grant No.
2023-70440-40222
Project No.
ALKNS30586
Proposal No.
2022-11788
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
NEXTG
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2023
Project End Date
May 31, 2028
Grant Year
2023
Project Director
York, D.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
(N/A)
FAIRBANKS,AK 99775
Performing Department
Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension
Non Technical Summary
This Tier III project is centered on educating NextGen food policy leaders. From high school and community learning centers through to University of Alaska Fairbanks, Hawai?i Pacific University, University of Guam, Arizona State University, and FoodCorps, the partnership("Partnership") will create a pipeline of diverse young leaders prepared and excited to join the federal workforce across various agencies, positions, and GS levels. It will engage the community as well, hosting conversations about future USDA workforce needs based on community-identified gaps in service.By creating a broad understanding of the vast array of employment opportunities at USDA and related agencies, this project will engage 9,000+ students from across the country, with concentrated support for students from underrepresented communities and in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Hawai?i and the territory of Guam. Project innovations include role playing simulations (MyUSDA app and Model USDA), communications campaigns, curated internships, talent pipeline ladder, USDA service gap analysis, and annual Climate & Food symposia. Educational tools developed as part of this project will be open access, available for use by USDA, universities, and other organizations like 4-H and the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association. Through SSP, ELP, and OEP and multi-tiered experiential learning experiences, this project will demonstrate to students why federal service matters in our climate- and equity-challenged world. Our Partnership will identify pathways into public service for high school, bachelor, and graduate degree holders, with the goal of strengthening USDA's future workforce by increasing the number of FAHN-knowledgeable employees from underrepresented groups and geographies.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360103020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
This project will demonstrate to students why federal service matters in our climate- and equity-challenged world. Our Partnershipwill identify pathways into public service for high school, bachelor, and graduate degree holders, with the goal of strengthening USDA's future workforce by increasing the number of FAHN-knowledgeable employees from underrepresented groups and geographies. This project will achieve the goals stated above through the following objectives:1) Increased awareness and knowledge about USDA2) Increased knowledge of critical FAHN issues3) Improved recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of diverse learners4) Increased FAHN leadership opportunities5) Fostered relationship between community-based learners and USDA
Project Methods
The project's overarching goal is to harness cutting edge pedagogy to guide young people from diverse backgrounds through the breadth and depth of rewarding career opportunities in the USDA. To engage our target student audiences, we propose a tiered approach that integrates accessible virtual learning technologies, radically inclusive community outreach, immersive experiences, and technical training. Specific innovations include (1) Role playing simulations; (2) Communications campaign; (3) Curated internships; (4) Talent pipeline ladder; (5) USDAservice gap analysis; (6) Climate and Food Symposium.