About SEEDS

The SEEDS Scholars: Awareness, Preparation, and Training Program is a four-year $400,000 award (grant no. 2024-77040-4318) from the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The SEEDS Scholars: Awareness, Preparation, and Training Program builds on previous and current awards to San Diego Mesa College, including the “STEM Engagement for the Enrichment of Diverse Students (SEEDS) Scholars Program” (USDA NIFA award, 2014-2018, $299,993), the “Transnational Approaches to Sustainable Food Futures Project” (USDA NIFA sub-award from the San Diego State University Research Foundation, 2022-2026, $98,206), and the “Strengthening Our Roots Project” (San Diego Foundation award, 2023-2024, $125,000).

The graphic below illustrates the foundation and key components of each of the three aims of the program: awareness, preparation, and training for careers in the food system, agriculture, and natural resources. 

SEEDS Scholars: Awareness, Preparation, and Training Program

Awareness 

• Informational interviews and job shadowing with food, agriculture, natural science, and human science (FANH) professionals

• Peer, near-peer, and faculty mentoring

• Networking events

• Career awareness field trips

• Service learning opportunities

Preparation

• Leadership development experiences

• Federal résumé and usajobs.gov workshops

• Individual skills assessments

• Internship application resources

Training

• Paid internships with FANH employers in San Diego County

• Paid internships in the TerraMesa Community Garden

• Paid research internships with the SEEDS Scholars Program

The Foundation: Student Belonging

• Sense of being accepted, valued, and included

• Encouragement from professors and peers

• Ongoing interpersonal relationships

• Personal autonomy