Oregon State University in Corvallis is receiving more than $1 million in grants from U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to promote agricultural sciences, the forestry workforce and multicultural students, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Jan. 10, 2024.

CORVALLIS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will provide more than $1 million in grants to Oregon State University to promote agricultural sciences, the forestry workforce and multicultural students.

Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez, associate dean of academic programs for OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, said there’s a shortage of skilled college graduates for agriculture, food and natural resource jobs.

“This shortage is especially evident in underrepresented communities,” he added.

“The U.S. population is undergoing a rapid increase in minority college-age residents; however, enrollment, and especially persistence, of these students in colleges and universities still lags behind,” Mata-Gonzalez said.

Arijit Sinha, OSU professor and JELD-WEN chair in wood-based composites science, said the forest sector, especially within the mass timber domain, needs outstanding graduates who are well trained in research, innovation and leadership.

The programs

OSU will receive $250,000 for the Multicultural Scholars Program, Training the Next Generation of Diverse Global Food and Agricultural System Leaders.

Scholarships will be awarded to recruit, engage, mentor and train multicultural scholars who will earn STEM-focused baccalaureate degrees from OSU’s ag college.

OSU will also receive $262,000 for the National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship program.

This program provides research and leadership training to outstanding students to address the national need for a highly trained, multicultural agricultural workforce that is prepared for effective science communication, as well as interdisciplinary research, teaching, outreach and professional practice.

The New Beginnings for Tribal Students in Oregon program will receive $500,000 to assist Native American pre-college and college students attending OSU and Southwestern Oregon Community College.

Students will receive experiential learning, internships and financial support to increase student retention, graduation and workforce success rates.

Senator statements

Oregon U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced the awards Jan. 10 in a joint news release.

Wyden said that he’s heard from Oregon’s ag community the need for a more skilled and diverse workforce.

“These awards will pave the way for students from Tribes and other backgrounds to become involved in preserving the food systems and natural resources that Oregonians depend on,” Wyden added.

Merkley said the federal investments will result in a wave of well-prepared and diverse scholars.

“These investments for Oregon State University will help to address disparities in participation in STEM-focused multicultural programs, support research and leadership for Ph.D. fellows within the agricultural workforce, and help ensure Tribal students have the financial support and opportunities to achieve educational and workforce success,” he said.