** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT AIMS TO PREPARE 40 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO BECOME GLOBALLY ENGAGED PROFESSIONALS WITH WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH AND EXTENSION SKILLS THAT ALLOW THEM TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. EACH YEAR WE WILL (1) RECRUIT AND TRAIN EIGHT STUDENTS TO FORM A COHORT OF PROFESSIONALS ABLE TO ADDRESS AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH, (2) PROVIDE THESE STUDENTS WITH LOCAL AND GLOBAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION MENTORSHIP THAT FOSTERS TRANSDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES AND MULTILATERAL COOPERATION, AND (3) PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TAILORED TO THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS AND CAREER GOALS. STUDENTS WILL INTERACT WITH RESEARCHERS, EXTENSION SPECIALISTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND OTHER STUDENTS THROUGH A SERIES OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES THAT WILL INCLUDE: HANDS-ON LAB TRAINING AND TEAM-BASED TRANSDISCIPLINARY DISCUSSIONS, AN EIGHT-WEEK RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN SPAIN, A STATE AGRICULTURAL/FORESTRY INDUSTRY TOUR, SHADOWING AN EXTENSION AGENT, PARTICIPATION IN GROWER MEETINGS AND EXTENSION CONFERENCES, AND DISSEMINATION OF THEIR RESULTS THROUGH PEER-REVIEW PUBLICATIONS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS. THROUGH THIS PROJECT, WE EXPECT THESE STUDENTS WILL (I) INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES, (II) REALIZE THE VALUE OF EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND STAKEHOLDER-DRIVEN RESEARCH, (III) GAIN EXPERIENCE IN PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND DELIVERY OF SCIENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE TO STAKEHOLDERS, (IV) ACQUIRE TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND USE THEM IN THEIR FUTURE CAREERS, AND (V) IMPROVE THEIR PERCEPTION, AND THAT OF OTHER STUDENTS, OF CAREERS IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES.