NextGen NRCS Pros Research Presented at the American Association for Agricultural Education Western Region Conference

October 2025

By Sarah McCord

Authors Sarah McCord, Dr. Rafael Landaverde, Dr. Gary Wingenbach, Robert Stirling, Abril Benitez, and Dr. Jun Wang presented a poster at the American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Western Region Conference, held in San Marcos, Texas, from September 15th to 17th, 2025. Titled “Preparing the Next Generation of Agriculture and Natural Resources Professionals: Using Pre-Internship Reflective Practice Journals for NextGen NRCS Pros,” the poster featured qualitative findings from the NextGen NRCS Pros’ pre-internship reflective journals. 16 students from the 2025 cohort completed reflective journals before beginning their 10-week internships. Researchers analyzed these reflective practice journals for themes.

These themes were eagerness to start, initial apprehension, personal skill development, and career-driven content exploration. We found that NextGen NRCS Pros interns were eager to begin their internships, where students noted excitement for the places, people, and positions they would be starting. Next, interns had an initial apprehension going into their internships. Students felt nervous and anxious and had some concerns about taking on unfamiliar and new roles. At the same time, however, students expressed an interest in developing professional skills through their internships, including communication, collaboration, and other essential workplace attributes. Finally, interns had a keen enthusiasm for starting roles that were primarily relevant to their career goals. From interns exploring veterinary science, horticulture, foreign affairs, or other disciplines in agriculture and natural resources, NextGen NRCS Pros were motivated to be one step closer to their careers.

Overall, this preliminary research study assessing NextGen NRCS Pros' pre-internship reflective journals proved to be insightful and encouraging for both students beginning their internships and mentors expanding the program’s series of professional development. Through meaningful research and developmental student experiences, we continue to encourage the next generation of professionals to pursue careers in agriculture and beyond. The NextGen NRCS Pros Program, along with the following research, demonstrates the level of engagement needed to promote meaningful and positive student learning outcomes in agriculture and natural resources.