Title

Growing the Future: West Virginia State University's Next Generation of WV Ag Professionals

Relevance

{"ops":[{"insert":"West Virginia faces a critical need for skilled agriculture professionals, but the absence of a dedicated Agriculture Education Completer Curriculum limits opportunities for students to explore this vital field. Many West Virginians also struggle to afford higher education, further reducing access to agricultural careers. Coupled with a lack of diverse agricultural opportunities, these challenges threaten the state's ability to sustain and grow its agricultural legacy.\n"}]}

Response

{"ops":[{"insert":"Through a partnership between West Virginia State University (WVSU), the "},{"attributes":{"background":"#ffffff","color":"#1f1f1f"},"insert":"United States Department of Agriculture ("},{"insert":"USDA), the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), the WVSU NEXTGEN Scholars program is addressing critical gaps in agricultural education. A new West Virginia Agriculture Education Completer Curriculum is being developed to provide students with a clear pathway into agricultural careers. NEXTGEN Scholars pursuing Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human (FANH) majors at WVSU receive scholarships and gain hands-on experience through WVDA internships during their post-secondary education. This initiative equips students with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to lead and sustain the future of agriculture in West Virginia.\n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"insert":"The WVSU NEXTGEN program is leading transformative change with three strategic goals: developing a groundbreaking West Virginia Agriculture Education Completer Curriculum, providing scholarships for students pursuing Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human (FANH) majors at West Virginia State University, and offering immersive, hands-on internships to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.\nThe West Virginia Agriculture Completer Curriculum, created by expert educators, will feature 150 days of innovative content hosted on a dedicated website. This curriculum is expected to benefit over 8,000 West Virginia agriculture students in its first year, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for success in the agricultural sector. After a two-year pilot, the curriculum will be shared nationally to address a critical gap in agricultural education.\nThe NEXTGEN Scholars program began with seven outstanding students in its first cohort, with an additional 23 students expected to join over the next two years. Among the current cohort, three have been named prestigious USDA 1890 Scholars, three are first-generation college students, and two serve as WVSU FFA officers. All seven scholars are pursuing majors that align with high-demand USDA career pathways.\nAs part of their degree programs, each scholar will complete 1,500 hours of paid internships through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), with opportunities to work alongside the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA).\nThrough these bold initiatives, the WVSU NEXTGEN program is reshaping agricultural education and creating a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to lead the future of agriculture in West Virginia and beyond.\n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"The WVSU NEXTGEN program strengthens West Virginia’s agricultural economy by preparing the next generation of skilled professionals with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources needed for success. By addressing gaps in agricultural education, creating clear career pathways, and encouraging innovation, the program benefits its participants while also supporting communities across the state and beyond, helping to build a sustainable future for agriculture.\n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Agricultural Systems

Secondary Focus Area

Agricultural Systems

Impact Statement