AGRICULTURE-RELATED STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATIC) TASKFORCE CHALLENGES IN THE US ARE SIGNIFICANT IN RURAL AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES. THE NUMBER OF 2ND OR 3RD GENERATION STUDENTS IS ON A STEADY DECLINE HIGHLIGHTING A WELL-RECOGNIZED BUT UNMET NEED. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE AND RETAIN MINORITIES AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRIES IN THE AREAS OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND HUMAN SCIENCES (FANH). THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO: 1) RECRUIT EARLY STAGE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM MINORITY OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, YET ACADEMICALLY INCLINED, BACKGROUNDS FOR A SUMMER RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EXPERIENCE AND 2) MENTOR STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC AND/OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS WITH INTERNSHIP ALIGNED TO THEIR CAREER GOALS.THIS FUTURE AGRICULTURE AND SCIENCE TASKFORCE-- RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (FAST--REEU) PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 24 NATIVE AMERICAN AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR TWO SUMMERS. STUDENTS WILL BE RECRUITED PRIMARILY FROM TRIBAL COLLGES AND SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY. DURING THE FIRST SUMMER, STUDENTS WILL BE MENTORED AT SDSU TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL OR CAREERS IN FANH INDUSTRIES OR TEACHING AGRICULTURE/SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS. SUBSEQUENT SECOND SUMMER, THEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN A CAREER-ORIENTED INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP. THIS PROJECT ALIGNS WELL WITH THE SDSU'S WOKINI ("NEW LIFE") INITIATIVE FOR SERVING THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES, AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL. THE OUTCOME ADDRESSES THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF THE FUTURE STEM TASKFORCE CHALLENGES IN FANH AREAS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON GAINING THE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS.