**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY THE FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR, CONTINUES TO EXPAND RAPIDLY, RESULTING IN POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE DEMANDS CREATED BY CHANGES IN CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES, STANDARDS AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS MEANS THAT MEETING THE PERSONNEL NEEDS OF THESE EXPANDING BUSINESSES IS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABILITY OF AN EDUCATED AND SKILLED WORKFORCE. THUS, THERE IS A NEED FOR A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO PRODUCE SKILLED FOOD PROCESSING AND SAFETY OPERATORS. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS TO CREATE A DUAL CERTIFICATE AND ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM IN FOOD PROCESSING, TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY, DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG WITH MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS. THE DELIVERY MODEL ALLOWS STUDENTS TO ATTEND CLASSES ONLINE OR AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, MAKING IT FEASIBLE FOR PLACE-BASED STUDENTS OR CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO RETAIN THEIR JOBS WHILE BEING TRAINED. LABORATORY COURSES WILL BE DELIVERED USING MOBILE FOOD PROCESSING UNITS THAT MOVE TO EACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE SITE, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH THE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY IN THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY. THE PROPOSED CURRICULUM DELIVERY METHOD IS COST-EFFECTIVE FOR STUDENTS BECAUSE THE MSU INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEGREE CAN BE OBTAINED CONCURRENTLY. THE PROGRAM WILL FILL A NEED FOR THE EXPANDING VARIETY OF FOOD INDUSTRIES, WHICH INCLUDES ON-FARM PROCESSORS TO LARGE GLOBAL FOOD COMPANIES IN MICHIGAN'S GROWING AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY, MEANING THIS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR EXTENSIVE IMPACT ON THE WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION.