** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** AGRICULTURAL CAREER EXPLORATION WITH DRONES (ACED) IS A FOUR-YEAR INTEGRATED PROJECT THAT DEVELOPS AND ENGAGES YOUTH INTEREST, SKILLS, AND MOTIVATIONS TO ADDRESS THE AFRI PRIORITY AREA OF AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY. ACED USES DRONES, GIS MAPPING, AND 4-H NON-FORMAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES TO PREPARE AND PROVIDE WORKFORCE PATHWAYS INTO PRECISION AGRICULTURE COLLEGE AND CAREER OPTIONS NECESSARY TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND THE LIVES OF FARMERS. OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: 1) FORMATION OF AN AGRISTEM ADVISORY GROUP; 2) CREATION OF AN AGRISTEM COURSE FOR AGRISCIENCE TEACHERS; 3) CREATION OF ACED REGIONAL AND STATE-WIDE CAMPS; 4) PROVIDING ACED PROGRAMMING AT LSU AGCENTER AGMAGIC EVENTS; 5) CREATION OF AN ACED CONTEST AT 4-H UNIVERSITY; 6) LICENSING YOUTH FOR THE FAA REMOTE PILOT CERTIFICATE; AND 7)YOUTH DEMONSTRATING PROFICIENCY IN USING COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL DRONES. THE CONTENT, LESSONS, ACTIVITIES, AND OUTREACH MATERIALS FROM ACED COMMUNICATE AND ENHANCE YOUTH UNDERSTANDING THE AGRICULTURAL BENEFITS OF DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED DRONES AND GIS IN MULTIPLE LEARNING MODES AND AGES. HIGH-SCHOOLERS IN THE AGRISTEM COURSE DEVELOP MARKETABLE CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES AND ARE PROVIDED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN 4-H. AGMAGIC EVENTS PROVIDE SPARKS FOR YOUNGER YOUTH; CAMPS FURTHER BUILD SKILLS, INTEREST, AND LEADERSHIP IN MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS; HIGH-SCHOOLERS AT 4-H UNIVERSITY CONTESTS SOLVE CHALLENGES AND THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT TECHNOLOGY'S ROLE IN AGRICULTURE; AND OLDER YOUTH APPLY THESE SKILLS IN SERVICE-LEARNING FIELDEXPERIENCES.