** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION (UME) WILL CREATE A SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE MEANINGFUL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS TO STUDENTS AT UNDERSERVED INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OR NON-LAND GRANT INSTITUTIONS TO TRAIN A FUTURE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE. WITH SEVEN INTERNS ANNUALLY PAIRED WITH COMPETENT MENTORS, INTERNS WILL GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE EIGHT CORE COMPETENCIES IN CAREER READINESS. ALONG WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ONE-ON-ONE PAIRING WITH A FACULTY MENTOR, INTERNS WILL HAVE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. THE EXPERIENCE WILL BE A TEN WEEK PROGRAM IN WHICH INTERNS WORK FULL TIME. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ARE TO: 1) PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNDERSERVED INSTITUTIONS IN MARYLAND THROUGH THE CREATION OF A SUMMER INTERNSHIP; 2) DEVELOP INTERNAL HIRING AND MENTORSHIP SKILLS IN UME FACULTY; 3) INCREASE THE CAREER-READINESS AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF STUDENT INTERNS, AND 4) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM THESE INSTITUTIONS ENTERING THE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE. THE PROGRAM WILL REACH 35 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND DEVELOP 30 NEWLY TRAINED MENTORS. SHORT TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE BUILDING CAREER READINESS, COMPLETION OF A WEEKLY JOURNAL, RESUME AND LINKEDIN PROFILE. LONG TERM OUTCOMES ESTIMATES 90% OF INTERNS WILL GRADUATE, 60% OF THE INTERNS CONTINUE A HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE, AND 80% OF THE INTERNS SECURE EMPLOYMENT IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.