High-impact experiential learning opportunities are essential for preparing undergraduate students for careers and advanced training in agricultural sciences. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Young Scholar Enhancement (YES) undergraduate scholarship program provides a paid, mentored summer research experience designed to engage students early in their academic careers. This program emphasizes hands-on learning, independent inquiry, and professional skill development through a 10 to12-week summer internship.

Faculty at Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) and Florida International University (FIU) have been awarded YES grants for several consecutive years, enabling undergraduate students, primarily freshmen and sophomores to participate in plant and soil science research projects. Students work closely with faculty mentors in greenhouse and field settings, where they gain practical experience in crop production, soil management, experimental design, data collection, and basic data interpretation. Each participant is encouraged to take ownership of an independent project, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.

From a teaching and learning perspective, the YES program serves as an effective experiential learning model by integrating classroom concepts with real-world agricultural applications. Early exposure to research helps students build confidence, clarify career goals, and develop leadership skills while strengthening retention within agricultural science majors. As a culminating experience, YES scholars disseminate their research outcomes by developing a digital poster hosted on the USDA website, presenting findings at scientific conferences, and, in several cases, co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.

Assessment of student outcomes indicates increased engagement, strengthened professional competencies, and a growing interest in graduate education, with many YES scholars pursuing advanced degrees in soil science, plant science, or related disciplines. Overall, the YES undergraduate scholarship program demonstrates how mentored research and experiential learning can be strategically used to enhance undergraduate education, support workforce development, and cultivate the next generation of leaders in soil and plant sciences.