** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WHILE MANY YOUTHS HAVE AN INTEREST IN AGRICULTURE CAREERS, RECENT RESEARCH FROM A MISSOURI SURVEYSHOWS THAT YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE LIMITED AWARENESS OF THE BROAD ARRAY OF CAREER PATHWAYS IN FOOD AND AG SECTORS. ARECENTFEED THE FUTUREREPORT INDICATES THAT YOUTH ARE OFTEN STIFLED FROM PURSUING AGRICULTURAL CAREERS DUE TO: 1) FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PRESSURE TO SELECT ALTERNATIVE CAREERS; 2) PERCEIVED LACK OF PROFITABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL CAREERS; 3) LACK OF ACCESS TO LAND; 4) LACK OF ACCESS TO FINANCING; AND 5) LACK OF ACCESS TO TRAINING, EDUCATION AND INFORMATION NEEDED FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF AGRICULTURE CAREERS.ALTHOUGH YOUTH ARE TARGETED AS PARTICIPANTS OF EXTENSION DELIVERED PROGRAMMING, NEITHER YOUTH NOR INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS HAVE BEEN PROACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE WORKFORCE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. WHAT'S MORE, APPROXIMATELY 50% OF HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH REPORT THEY ARE UNSURE OF THEIR CAREER PATH, DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RANGE OF POTENTIAL JOB ROLES, AND CAN'T IDENTIFY CAREER PATHWAYS.TO HELP ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO INTRODUCE YOUTH TO THE BROAD ARRAY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEM CAREER PATHWAYS AVAILABLE TO THEM, STRENGTHEN POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOCUSED ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TOPICS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT ALL YOUTH, WHILE ALSO MEETING THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD INDUSTRY WORKFORCE NEEDS.MORE SPECIFICALLY, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO:1) ESTABLISH A MULTI-STATE, REGIONAL, YOUTH ADVISORY TEAM TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE, PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PROMOTE YOUTH-ADULT PARTNERSHIPS, AND EXPAND AWARENESS OF FOOD SYSTEMS CAREERS.2) ASSESS CAREER PATHWAY AWARENESS AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CAREERS.3) EXAMINE EXISTING PROGRAMMING AND IDENTIFY PROMISING PRACTICES, PARTICULARLY THOSE REACHINGYOUTH WHO HAVE NO ON-FARM EXPERIENCE.4) SYNTHESIZE TOP OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFIED FROM OUR REGIONAL SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS, CASE STUDIES AND YOUTH ADVISORY TEAM TO ENHANCE EXISTING 4-H AND OTHER EXTENSION CURRICULUM AND INFORM NEW PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.5) SHARE PROJECT RESULTS VIA CURRICULUM SHARING, REPORTING AND PUBLICATIONS.BY INCREASING AWARENESS OF CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS AND IMPROVING YOUTH-ORIENTED ENGAGEMENT AND RECRUITMENT PRACTICES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH AND WELCOME MORE YOUTH AUDIENCES INTO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, MAKE MEANINGFUL ENHANCEMENTS TO 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING, CATALYZE FOOD SYSTEM GROWTH, AND ULTIMATELY INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.