** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** PRODUCERS ARE UNDER PRESSURE, BOTH WITHIN THEIR INDUSTRIES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES, TO DEMONSTRATE AND DOCUMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. RESPONDING TO THESE PRESSURES REQUIRES LITERACY IN POPULAR SUSTAINABILITY METRICS, AND MEASUREMENTS TO DEMONSTRATE METRIC BENCHMARKS AND/OR CHANGES OVER TIME. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TWO METHODS TO ENGAGE FARMS TO PROMOTE THESE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE TO: (1) ENABLE YOUTH TO SERVE AS ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS FOR FAMILY AG OPERATIONS THROUGH ENGAGEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY METRIC AND COMMUNICATION EXERCISES; (2) ENGAGE PRODUCERS IN ON-FARM DATA COLLECTION TO INFORM THEMSELVES AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM MANURE STORAGES; AND (3) FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CONVERSATIONS WITHIN FARMS, AND BETWEEN LIVESTOCK AND FEED PRODUCTION SECTORS. ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THESE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE A LEARNING SERIES FOR YOUTH THAT PROMOTES INTER-GENERATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT FARM OPERATIONS, INPUTS, EFFICIENCY MEASURES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. SIMULTANEOUSLY, DAIRY AND SWINE PRODUCER COOPERATORS WILL CONTRIBUTE MANURE SAMPLES FOR LAB-BASED ANALYSES OF GREENHOUSE GAS PRODUCTION RATES. MANURE EMISSIONS ARE A MAJOR COMPONENT OF CARBON FOOTPRINTS FOR LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, AND THESE SAMPLES AND ANALYSES PROVIDE PRODUCERS FARM-SPECIFIC DATA FORSUSTAINABILITY METRICS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE SCIENCE-BASED ESTIMATES FOR THE BROADER INDUSTRY. FINALLY, A CONVERSATION GUIDE RESULTING FROM PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND FACILITATED FOCUS GROUPS WILL IDENTIFY COMMON GOALS, AND STRATEGIES FOR COOPERATION. AN ADVISORY GROUP INCLUDES LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, SCIENTISTS, AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION EXPERTS.