Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) seeks to promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences. The program aims to help ensure the existence of a workforce in the United States that is qualified to serve the food and agriculture sciences system. The program will award grants to eligible applicants, including public secondary schools, public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. The grants will support projects that enhance curricula in agricultural education, increase faculty teaching competencies, and interest young people in pursuing higher education in the food and agriculture sciences. Some key areas of focus for the program include: * Curriculum development, instructional delivery systems, and expanding student career opportunities * Facilitating interaction with other academic institutions to maximize the use of resources supporting outstanding education in the food and agriculture sciences * Incorporating social and behavioral sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students * Developing leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers * Supporting other initiatives designed to meet local, State, regional, or national needs related to promoting excellence in agriscience and agribusiness education.