** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOUND THAT THE U.S. FELL SHORT ONE MILLION SCIENTISTS IN 2022. ACCORDING TO THE JOURNAL FOR AMERICAN AFFAIRS, SINCE 1990 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM HAS GROWN 79%--INCREASING FROM 9.7 TO 17.3 MILLION. THE AGRI'CY'ENCE ACADEMY WILL CREATE IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SPECIFICALLY FOR UNDERSERVED, UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH AUDIENCES TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIGITAL CITIZENS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION OF CAREER PATHWAYS IN HIGHLY TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL FIELDS OF STUDY. THE AGRI'CY'ENCE ACADEMY IS A 15-MONTH PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR UNDERSERVED IOWA YOUTH IN GRADES 7-12 TO DEVELOP 21ST CENTURY DIGITAL CITIZENS THROUGH COLLEGE AND CAREER EXPLORATION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THROUGH THE FARM BILL PRIORITY AREA: AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY TO PREPARE FUTURE SCIENTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AGRICULTURALISTS, INNOVATORS, AND LEADERS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.AT LEAST 200 UNDERSERVED, UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH IN BLACK HAWK AND WEST POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTIES WILL ENGAGE LOCALLY IN THE ACADEMY WHICH INCLUDES SIX MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS THAT EXPLORE AGRISCIENCE CAREERS THROUGH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, WORKSITE VISITS, AND ENGAGING WITH LOCAL PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSES WORKING IN THE SPOTLIGHTED PROFESSION. YOUTH THEN IDENTIFY THEIR AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF INTEREST TO DEVELOP A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROJECT. OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS THE YOUTH WILL WORK WITH AN ADULT TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS AT THE STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FAIR OF IOWA. THROUGH THE AGRI'CY'ENCE ACADEMY YOUTH WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER EXTENSION AND 4-H PROGRAMS FOR LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT. AS A RESULT OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE AGRI'CY'ENCE ACADEMY, YOUTH WILL HAVE THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL SUCCESS, EMPLOYABILITY, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY. THIS PROGRAM WILL ALSO ENHANCE YOUTHS' LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. LOCAL COMMUNITIES WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED AS A RESULT OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM AS THEY HAVE THE SKILLS TO FIND AND/OR CREATE THEIR OWN CAREER PATHWAYS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH ADULT MENTORSHIPS, CAREER EXPLORATION, CARING ADULTS SUPPORTING THEM IN THE PROGRAM AND ULTIMATELY HELPING THEM TO BECOME CARING, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.