** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROGRAM WILL TRAIN 50 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN RESEARCH AND EXTENSION FOR AGRICULTURAL PLANT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A CUTTING-EDGE, INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION TRAINING ENVIRONMENT. THE 9-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE: (1) INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROJECTS RANGING FROM GENETICS/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TO FIELD-SCALE PRODUCTION AND ECOLOGY; (2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS, ETHICS, TEAMWORK, AND LEADERSHIP; (3) FIELD TRIPS TO VIEW CROP PRODUCTION AND CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH METHODS AND FACILITIES, INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH GROWERS, EXTENSION EDUCATORS, AND INDUSTRY SCIENTISTS; (4) WORKSHOPS IN GENE EDITING, DATA VISUALIZATION, AND TECHNOLOGY; AND (5) A CAPSTONE POSTER SESSION.