THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ACRE) PROJECT'S AIM IS TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF GRADES 6-12 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTION THROUGH IN-SERVICE TRAINING. MISSISSIPPI GRADES 6-12 TEACHERS WILL GAIN INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES AND INCREASED AWARENESS OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THAT, IN TURN, WILL HELP THEM DEVELOP IMPROVED CURRICULA TO TRAIN THE FUTURE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE. ACRE FULFILLS THE AFRI EWD'S GOAL OF ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL LITERACY AND WORKFORCE TRAINING BY PROVIDING A RESEARCH-BASED, HIGH QUALITY PD MODEL WHERE TEACHERS ENGAGE IN CONTINUOUS AND SUSTAINED PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. THE PD INCLUDES: 1) A 10-DAY INTENSIVE SUMMER INSTITUTE; 2) TWO ONLINE MODULES, ONE BEFORE EACH ACADEMIC YEAR SESSION; AND 3) TWO ACADEMIC YEAR SESSIONS. WITHIN THESE SESSIONS, GRADES 6-12 TEACHERS WILL 1) DEVELOP THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR INTEGRATING FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS INTO THEIR CLASSES, 2) EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIESAVAILABLE IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CAREER PATHWAY, AND 3) FORGE MENTORSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITY FACULTY. ACRE WILL INCLUDE INSTRUCTION FOR GRADES 6-12 SCIENCE AND CTE TEACHERS TO CREATE AND REPLICATE BEST PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND DISCIPLINARY LITERACY, SPECIFICALLY AGRICULTURAL LITERACY, TO IMPROVE STUDENT SUCCESS OUTCOMES WITHIN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES. FURTHER, IT WILL INCLUDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHER LEADERSHIP SKILLS. AS SUCH, ACRE WILL PROMOTE TEACHER EXPERTISE AND ENCOURAGE WIDESPREAD IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION IN GRADES 6-12 IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES.