** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE THE STRENGTHS OF THE 1890 LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES (LGU) SYSTEM TO PREPARE YOUTH IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL WITH LEADERSHIP SKILLS NECESSARY FOR AGRICULTURAL-RELATED CAREERS. THE MAJOR OUTCOME WILL BE AN ENHANCED SYSTEM OF OUTREACH FOR 4-H POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (PYD) PROGRAMS.AFRI PRIORITY AREAS ADDRESSED INCLUDE: AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY; AND AGRICULTURE ECONOMICS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. USDA PRIORITYADDRESSED ISPROMOTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. ANTICIPATED PROJECT AUDIENCE INCLUDES YOUTH PARTICIPATING WITH1890, 1862, AND 1994 LGU PROGRAMS. OBJECTIVES ARE TO: (1) TO EXPAND YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN MENTORING, AND COLLEGE/CAREER PREPARATION THROUGH THENATIONAL 4-H PROGRAM; (2) TO STRENGTHEN TRAINING FOR 4-H/EXTENSION FACULTY AND STAFF ON POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENTCONCEPTS ESSENTIAL TO DEVELOPING AND MENTORING YOUTH FROM DIFFUCULT TO REACH AUDIENCES; AND (3) DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL MODEL FOR COLLEGEAND CAREERREADINESS.THE PROJECT HAS FIVE COMPONENTS: YOUTH VOICE; MENTORING; LEADERSHIP INSTITUTES AND INTERNSHIPS; 4-H STEM ENGAGEMENT; AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. OVER FIVE YEARS, THE PROJECT WILL REACH 3,485 MIDDLE-SCHOOL AND HIGH-SCHOOL YOUTH SERVED BY 1890, 1862, AND 1994 LGU PROGRAMS. 2,140 ADULTS WILL BE RECRUITED AS MENTORS AND ESTIMATED 1500 WILL PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE FIVE COMPONENTS AND SUPPORT FOR YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL 4-H PROGRAMS; CONDUCT, TRANSLATE AND DISSEMINATE FINDINGS FROM PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RESEARCH; AND DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATEPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.