The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced an investment of more than $33 million to support capacity-building efforts at 1890 Land-grant Universities. The investment will support 82 research, extension and education projects across the nation’s 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“The work these universities will take on as a result of this funding have ripple effects far beyond the walls of their laboratories and classrooms,” Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small said in a release by the USDA. “Through this investment, the Biden-Harris administration is helping deliver real-life, applicable solutions to make our food system stronger, while at the same time inspiring a next generation of students and scientists who will help us meet tomorrow’s agricultural challenges.”
The investment was administered through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the release stated. The goal of the project is to strengthen the nation's higher-education workforce, enhance research and knowledge delivery systems and equip universities with resources to address the emerging challenges in agriculture while creating new opportunities.
Funding includes support for activities such as curriculum design, materials development, faculty training, student recruitment and extension program development, USDA reported.
In addition, USDA welcomed 100 scholars through the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program in July. The program provides tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books and room and board each year for up to four years to selected students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food science, natural resource science or a related academic discipline at one of 19 designated 1890 Land-grant schools as well as the famed Tuskegee University, the release reported.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars will be placed at USDA agencies and offices to encourage pathways for careers in agriculture, nutrition, food, development and other USDA careers, according to the release.
“The nation’s 1890 Land-grant Universities are uniquely positioned to advance fundamental sciences as well as translational research and development in support of agriculture, and this funding will increase their capacity to continue their invaluable work,” NIFA Director Dr. Manjit K. Misra said in the release.
