EMPOWERING GREENHOUSE RESILIENCY WITH AN OPTIMIZED WORKFORCE (E-GROW)

In Aim 1, we will conduct a market study to investigate the gaps in CEA education and workforce development solutions in four U.S. states and determine how a new CEA workforce pathway program using non-formal education solutions can enable an increase in youth competency in STEM, food, and agricultural sciences. In Aim 2, we will establish the structure of the E-GROW alternative education modules and develop online educational content, associated virtual reality and experiential learning activities, and modeling software tools to prepare middle and high school students for careers in CEA. E-GROW will include opportunities for students to design, execute, and evaluate a capstone project demonstrating the benefits of CEA on agricultural production and create outreach materials that will promote learning about agricultural technology (AgTech) and boost public confidence in CEA by communicating the value of mechanization and automation in food production. In Aim 3, we will plan pilots to establish how the youth development partners will implement E-GROW pilots in schools in four U.S. states and connect participants to industry mentors. We will adapt online educational content and software tools for grades 6-12 and customize experiential learning activities for the youth populations at each pilot school. We will build the industry mentoring network and establish mentoring activities with the Mentoring Plan. We will design an E-GROW certificate for youth who complete the pilot program. This certificate program will be designed to integrate into future multi-institution CEA credentialing programs. In Aim 4 we will execute the Mentoring Plan and conduct pilots in schools reaching 500 students to prepare youth for jobs in the CEA field. Students will publicly share capstone project outreach materials and evaluate their impact on public confidence in AgTech for food production. The youth development partners and faculty mentors will evaluate student performance and deliver certificates.