** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE NEED TO INCREASE THE WORKFORCE IN APPLIED RESEARCH AND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION HAS BEEN VOICED BY AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS. AS JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOOD, AGRICULTURE, RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE GRADUATES IN STEM AREAS ARE EXPECTED TO GROW. BY CREATING FOCUSED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION AND EDUCATION MODULES THAT TAKE PLACE IN LABS, ON CAMPUS AND AT UNIVERSITY FARM FACILITIES, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL FUTURES OF PARTICIPATING STUDENTS.THIS PROJECT INTEGRATES HANDS-ON APPLIED AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH WITH FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION SCIENCE MODULES AIMED AT PROVIDING PARTICIPATING INTERNS WITH CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITIES TO EFFECTIVELY PERFORM AND COMMUNICATE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE TO FOOD PRODUCERS, POLICY MAKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL AS PASS ON THEIR OWN LEARNING TO OTHERS. STUDENTS FROM UMASS AND FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES, ESPECIALLY THOSE SERVING HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH PEERS AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS.