**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** COLLEGE GRADUATES WITH EXPERTISE IN FOOD, AGRICULTURE, RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT WILL BE NEEDED TO SECURE OUR FOOD AND ENERGY SUPPLY. THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THIS PROJECT IS ON PREPARATION AND TRAINING OF STUDENTS WHO CAN MEET THIS DEMAND. THIS PROJECT WILL ENGAGE UNDERGRADUATES WITH A RESEARCH EXTENSION/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (REEL) FELLOWSHIP CENTERED AROUND TRANSLATIONAL PLANT SCIENCES. OUR UNIQUE PROGRAM WILL ENGAGE UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWS FOR 10 SUMMER WEEKS TO PERFORM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ON BOTH THE MAIN CAMPUS IN BLACKSBURG, AND AT ONE OF THREE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTERS (ARECS). THE INTENDED IMPACT IS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF PLANT SCIENTISTS TO MEET FUTURE CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE. OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE IS TO ENGAGE FELLOWS IN RESEARCHON PLANT HEALTH AND FOOD SECURITY INCLUDING: PLANT PROTECTION (MANAGING BIOTIC AGENTS), SOIL HEALTH (IMPROVING SOIL QUALITY AND RESILIENCE), AND FOOD SAFETY AND PRODUCE QUALITY(MANAGING PRE-HARVEST RISK FACTORS).OUR SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO ENGAGE FELLOWS IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH UNIQUE TRAINING EXPERIENCES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. MINORITY-SERVING PIPELINE SCHOOLS HAVE AGREED TO PARTNER WITH US, THUS, WE EXPECT TO RECRUIT DIVERSE LIFE SCIENCE STUDENTS. THE REEL PROGRAM IS RELEVANT TO THE GOALS OF THE AFRI ELI FELLOWSHIPS GRANT PROGRAM AS REEL PROMOTES EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR UNDERGRADUATES, HELPING PREPARE THEM TO ENTER THE AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE OR GRADUATE SCHOOL.