**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WEST HILLS COLLEGE LEMOORE (WHCL) AND THE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP (ATIP) FOUNDATION HAVE PARTNERED TO CLOSE THE GAP OF SEVERE MARKET GAP IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES AND IMPROVE THE GROWTH OF THE BIOECONOMY WORKFORCE IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY (SJV). THIS APPLICATION REQUESTS THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT, IN GENERAL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND A DATA-SAVVY WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE BIOECONOMY SECTOR IN THE SJV. THIS INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PROGRAMS AND EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM TO ALIGN EXISTING PROGRAMS TO MEET THE WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE BIOECONOMY.THE PROJECT PREMISE IS ROOTED IN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE BIOECONOMY IS BUILT ON THE UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE BIOMASS RESOURCES TO PRODUCE GOODS AND SERVICES. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS SUCH AS DATA COLLECTION, STUDENT SURVEYS, INTERVIEWS, INTERACTIONS, AND COMMENTS WILL INFORM OUR TARGETED AUDIENCE. THE GOALS FOR THEPROJECT WILL WRAP AROUND CREATING A NON-CREDIT CURRICULUM TO CONDUCT TRAINING, DEVELOP A TRAINING CENTER FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS AND DEVELOP A NATIONALLY APPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO COVER THE AREA THAT SPANS FIVE RURAL COUNTIES AND COMPRISES EXTREMES OF GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION, ECONOMIC DISPARITY, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY.