**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THERE IS A LACK OF DIVERSE AND QUALIFIED GRADUATES IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO MEET DEMAND AND FEED A GROWING POPULATION UNDER A CHANGING CLIMATE. A NEW AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE MUST BE DEVELOPED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE. WE WILL CREATE A SIX-WEEK SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OVER FOUR YEARS. THE PROGRAM WILL BRIDGE DIVERSE INCOMING AND TRANSFER STUDENTS INTO UNIVERSITY LIFE, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, AND AGRICULTURAL CAREERS. UC MERCED, A HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE RURAL, SAN JAOQUIN VALLEY, IS WELL SITUATED AND QUALIFIED FOR THIS PROGRAM.EACH YEAR OUR PROGRAM WILL MATCH FIVE INCOMING STUDENTS WITH FIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS TO CONDUCT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WITH PROFESSORS AT UC MERCED. STUDENTS WILL VISIT AND WORK ON LOCAL FARMS AND INDUSTRIES ONCE A WEEK TO GET PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE FOR THEIR RESEARCH AND FUTURE CAREERS. WE WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS TRAINING IN LIFESKILLS SUCH AS BUDGETS, STUDYING, AND STRESS MANAGEMENT NEEDED FOR SUCCESS AT THE UNIVERSITY. TWO-THIRDS OF OUR STUDENTS WILL COME FROM FAMILIES THAT HAVE NOT ATTENDED UNIVERSITY BEFORE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS TRAINING AT HOME. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO TRAIN A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE THAT WILL INCREASE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND FOOD SECURITY, LEADING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL PROSPERITY.