**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED LABOR IS THE PRIMARY CONCERN IN THE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE (CEA) INDUSTRY TO SUSTAIN RAPID GROWTH IN GREENHOUSE AND INDOOR FARM PRODUCTION THAT HAS OCCURRED NATIONALLY. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT ACROSS ALL THE CEA JOB TITLES, FROM HOURLY MANUAL LABOR TO MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. THIS 3-YEAR PROJECT AIMS TO 1) CREATE SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS ON ADVANCED CEA PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TO MEET CURRENT INDUSTRY NEEDS; AND 2) TO EXPAND CURRICULUM CONTENT AND DELIVERY FOR A 2-YEAR ASSOCIATES DEGREE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ENTERING CAREERS IN THE CEA INDUSTRY. THE NEW CEA SHORT-TERM TRAINING AND 2-YEAR CURRICULUM WILL BE DEVELOPED BY A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP AMONG UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS. GUIDED BY OUR INDUSTRY ADVISORS, THIS DYNAMIC PROGRAM WILL CREATE PATHWAYS AND PIPELINES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEW EMPLOYEES ENTERING THE CEA INDUSTRY AND WILL PROVIDE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION (ONLINE TRAINING, MICROCREDENTIALING) TO ENHANCE THE SKILLS OF EXISTING EMPLOYEES. BY WORKING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS, SEVERAL JOB TITLES AND HARD TO LEARN TASKS WILL BE PRIORITIZED FOLLOWING THE DACUM (DESIGNING A CURRICULUM) PROCESS. THESE ACTIVE WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WILL ALLOW CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO IMPROVE THEIR TECHNICAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND SUPPORT CAREER DEVELOPMENT USING A LEARN WHILE YOU EARN MODEL. CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (OSU) WILL CREATE ONLINE PLATFORMS AND CONTENT FOR THESE TRAININGS. NINE MODULES WILL BE CREATED AND PILOTED FOR EVALUATION BY INDUSTRY MEMBERS. OSU'S AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND SUNY BROOME COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL EXPAND 2-YEAR ASSOCIATES DEGREES IN CEA.