Infusing Food Security, Food Safety, Bioenergy into the Environmental Studies Graduate Program at Florida International University

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/>The proposed project is to infuse food security, food safety, and bioenergy into Agroecology Environmental Studies graduate program at Florida International University that aims to recruit and train six outstanding graduate Fellows from underrepresented minority communities. The project objectives: (a) provide training to MS level students in Integrative Biosciences for Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems with a focus on food security, food safety, bioenergy; (b) provide these graduate students with opportunities for research, internship and urban agriculture outreach at area research organizations and sub-urban farms; and (c) enhance multicultural diversity in the skilled agricultural workforce by recruiting from traditionally underrepresented groups. We propose an innovative and cost-effective model for training students in
Interdisciplinary, Sustainable Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics. These Fellows will complete a two-year master's degree in Environmental Studies, with a clear focus on food security, food safety, bioenergy areas through sustainable urban agriculture and through an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to managing natural resources, which support agricultural systems. Fellows will be trained with a rigorous course curriculum in basic, agricultural and quantitative sciences, master's research at field and area research institutions. These activities will train students in cutting-edge lab and field techniques: soil and nutrient management, integrated pest management, bioenergy, food systems, and urban agriculture. Students will work closely with USDA-ARS, farmers, and community and educational organizations. Such comprehensive training
should help Fellows land a career or doctoral program in food and agricultural sciences.
<p>APPROACH:<br/>We believe that the most effective way of heightening career interests among students is to provide them with a curriculum that centers around industry-driven, problem-focused food sustainability, security and safety issues and scientific competency. Some of the food and agricultural problem-solving skills that the participating students will obtain in our program include: (a) innovative practices/technology to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security (e.g., the use of nano-products, biomaterials, and micro-organisms in food production); (b) food safety issues (e.g., production of bio-coals from agricultural wastes through hydrothermal carbonization; environmental pathways of food-borne pathogens) alternatives ways to break; (c) bioenergy production from non-edible feedstocks and algae; (d) agricultural and horticultural biodiversity
conservation for ecosystem services; and (e) geopolitics and economics of food security. We approach these problems through a curriculum that transcends multiple disciplines. A brand new Food and Agricultural Biosecurity course will be designed to introduce NNFs to the field of Biosecurity, which is of direct relevance to the sustainability of agriculture, food safety, and the protection of the environment, including biodiversity. Proposed activities will directly provide research and community outreach opportunities in the 2012 TESA of integrative biosciences for sustainable food and agricultural systems, particularly in urban and peri-urban environments. The proposed program curriculum will train NNF graduate students in cutting-edge lab and field analytical skills, and general agriculture problem solving techniques. Students will conduct research at the on-campus garden and local
farms, community gardens and residential areas on wide range of issues relating to sustainable, secured and safe food production. NNF students will engage in the above research/community outreach activities as part of their master's thesis, summer internships and class projects. They will also have multiple opportunities for interacting with the USDA and other state agencies, university and outside scientists, as well as professional organizations. Evaluation: Two types of evaluations will be ongoing throughout the project. First, NN Fellows in the program will be asked to evaluate the various academic, financial, service and experimental learning activities, as well as professional development and other components of the program. Both qualitative and quantitative indicators measuring Fellows' satisfaction and progress in the program will be developed and reported to USDA in the annual
reports. Second, an annual evaluation will be conducted by the project advisory committee, using the information obtained from students and other project documents. This committee consists of members from the partner institution (USDA) and an FIU representative. These members will interview each Fellow and collect information about the program, their progress, their expectations, their desire to continue in the program, and the effort these Fellows are making for beginning a career or doctoral education in agricultural sciences.</p>