FRANKFORT, Ky. — A National 4-H Council program, which is inspiring a new generation to discover ways to feed a growing world population, will soon enter its second year.
The 4-H Ag Innovators Experience (AIE) is actually a partnership between 4-H and Monsanto Co. in which the two organizations have come together to "help youth develop 21st century workforce skills necessary to meet the needs of a growing population," according to information from the Council.
Through interactive activities, AIE unites STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and agriculture.
STEM is an initiative of 4-H. Donald T. Floyd, former CEO and president of National 4-H Council and chairman, Global Clover Network (an affiliate of National 4-H Council), said in an interview with Washington Exec, an online media, membership and events company serving executives in the Washington D.C. area, that the nation’s young people are not acquiring the skills they need to excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. He said that needs to change in order to build a generation of workers who will make America a leader in innovation.
"Given the opportunity, today’s youth can step up, become engaged, learn more and become the inventors, rocket scientists and engineers of the future," said Floyd. "And fortunately, millions of youth are doing their part – they are stepping up with the support of adult mentors and quality STEM programs offered through organizations like 4-H."
Jennifer Sirangelo, current Council president & CEO said, in regards to the AIE program and the partnership with Monsanto, that within the next 40 years, population trends project the world population will grow by 2 billion, and this will create new environmental challenges that the leaders of tomorrow must be prepared to address.
"As a valued supporter of 4-H, Monsanto has been invaluable in helping to educate the next generation of farmers, scientists and other ag professionals," she said.
The 2014 project, the Fish Farm Challenge, was designed by agriculture students and faculty at The Ohio State University to stimulate interest in aquaculture, or fish farming, noted a release from 4-H.
Students who participate were looking to develop a better way to distribute food to fish in a controlled aquaculture environment.
"The 4-H Ag Innovators Challenge is different than other STEM activities I’ve participated in, because it relates to agriculture, and it helps solve a real problem," said 4-H teen leader Holden Fosnaugh. "Being involved in this program has inspired me to pursue a career in aquaculture, which I probably never would have considered before."
Getting students interested in furthering their education in ag-related majors seems to be growing. A report from USA Today published two years ago discussed the growth in the number of students studying agriculture at universities across the country.
Purdue University lists on its website more than three dozen different scholarships offered for students interested in agriculture majors.
More than 10,000 students were reached by AIE in 2014 in both rural and urban/suburban areas of selected states that included Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin. For the 2015 project, the AIE activity will focus on agricultural issues related to environmental stewardship, natural resource management and/or conservation.
According to Council, selected teen leaders will engage in in-depth training and be responsible for rolling out the activity through 4-H clubs, after-school programs and summer camps. After completing the activity, participants can create a video to demonstrate potential applications in their local communities. Four winners will be chosen, and each will receive a cash award.
The Council’s land-grant university partners are competing to develop next year’s activity with the winning university and activity to be announced in November.
"We’re proud to support this hands-on educational initiative to show youth the importance of environmental stewardship," said Mark Martino, National 4-H Council board member and Monsanto Co. supply chain manager. "We’re hopeful that the young people who participate in this program will apply their knowledge and skills to become environmentally responsible leaders of tomorrow."
