NextGen
Join the next generation of agriculture, food, and natural resource professionals!
The ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø was awarded a grant, “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)”, from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) in 2023. ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø’s overarching goal of the program is to increase the number of students who enroll in agriculture programs at the college thereby increasing the number of skilled agriculture, food, and natural resource employees available to meet industry need. The target population of this award includes rural, Hispanic, and other minority/underserved students in Southern Idaho.
How ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø NextGen Can Help
Scholarships and Housing Stipends
- Scholarships of up to $3,500 and $5,000 housing stipends are available annually 2023-2028!
- Qualifications:
- Must be pursuing a degree at ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø in the agriculture, food, or natural resource industries
- Preference will be given to students residing in the Magic Valley
- Preference will be given to students who have not received additional financial aid
- High school seniors, current college attendees, and non-traditional students are all eligible
- Must be a US citizen or permanent resident to be eligible
The ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø Agriculture Department and NextGen Scholarships Application is now live! The first priority date is March 1, 2025. The application will remain open after this date, but early applicants will be given the highest consideration for scholarship awards.
Resources
NextGen is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenges that come with education. From language access to food insecurity, student health to tutoring, ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø can help you! Explore the valuable resources available at ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø:- ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø Need Help
- Resources are the Backbone of Progress flyer
- Los Recursos son la Columna Vertebral del Progreso
Professional Development
- ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø NextGen provides many opportunities for students to gain professional development including
- Workshops
- Travel
- Career support
- Don’t forget to visit the for career support such as resume building, career coaching, internship search, and job application help!
Who is Eligible
Any student pursuing an agriculture-related career in one of the following programs:
Business and Information Systems Department
Physical Science Department
Don’t see your program listed? Contact the ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø NextGen Grant Manager to see how you can still be involved!
Youth Career Academies
The ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø NextGen program provides funding and support for the Youth Career Academies hosted by ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø Workforce Development. Career academies are designed to support our students in experiencing modern career opportunities within the Magic Valley through hands-on experiences and career exploration. A variety of career exploration events are hosted with topics including:
Agriculture
Cybercore
Trades and Industry
Visit the ÑÇÖÞ²ÊƱ¹ÙÍø Workforce Development website to learn more about academy descriptions, dates, and registration:
Meet the NextGen Team
This work is supported by the From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen) Program, project award no. 2023-70440-40146, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.