THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP A FOOD AND AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE WITH PRODUCTION, BUSINESS, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS APPLICABLE FOR SUCCESS IN ITS RURAL COMMUNITY. CURRICULUM WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR STUDENTS AT UHMC AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ENTERING A CAREER IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP AND INTEGRATE PLANT AND FOOD PRODUCTION, BUSINESS, AND LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM INTO EXISTING AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS WHEN ENTERING AN AGRICULTURAL CAREER. TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL, THE PROJECT WILL:ENHANCE THE PROGRAM'S CORE CURRICULUM BY TEACHING PRACTICAL BUSINESS SKILLS INCLUDING BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, AND MARKETING,OFFER ADDITIONAL EDUCATION IN VALUE-ADDED FOOD PRODUCTION SO STUDENTS CAN CONSIDER REVENUE DIVERSIFICATION OPTIONS,INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO KEY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL NETWORK AND THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE ON-GOING SUPPORT AND INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS, ANDPROVIDE TRAINING TO BUILD LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT CAN SHAPE THEIR DECISION-MAKING, FUTURE COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.ADULT LEARNERS WILL BE RECRUITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THREE ESTABLISHED AND UNIQUE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS TO OFFER A ROBUST WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT INCORPORATES CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL, FOOD PRODUCTION, AND BUSINESS SKILLS WHILE OFFERING BOTH COLLEGE CREDITS AND PROGRAM CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS. THE PROJECT'S ESTABLISHED INFRASTRUCTURE, CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY, AND COMMITMENT BY ITS COLLABORATORS WILL LEAD TO IMMEDIATE RESULTS WHILE OFFERING RELEVANT CONTENT AND WILL SUPPORT THE STATE'S GOAL OF INCREASING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION.