Baton Rouge, La - The SU Ag Center received high marks from the
USDA/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), capturing more than 60% of
the proposals submitted by the Center in the 2012 funding cycle of the 1890 Institution
Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program.
The main goal of this
funding program is to build and strengthen the research, teaching and extension
capacity at the 1890 institutions.
Therefore, the program requires that goals be aligned with NIFA’s
Challenge areas as well as with the institution’s strategic plan as they relate
to food and agriculture sciences.
Dr. Kit L. Chin, PD and Yadong Qi, Sebhatu Gebrelul, Renita
Marshall, Fatemeh Malekian, Co-PDs, in collaboration with Rutgers University
and West Virginia State University have tentatively received a research grant
from USDA/NIFA Capacity Building Grants Program in the sum of half-a-million dollars
for the conduction of research by finding alternative utilization of roselle
hibiscus as small farm and niche market crop.
The goals of the project are to: continue the screening of roselle
hibiscus varieties best suited for small farm production in Louisiana; conduct
research to develop high antioxidant functional food products to aid in the
development of roselle hibiscus enterprises; and support product development
and niche marketing, with emphasis on finished products that have health benefits
such as reduction of high blood pressure, and marketability.
In collaborative work with West Virginia State University, the
extract from roselle hibiscus will be evaluated on its effects on arresting the
proliferation of animal and human cancer cells in vitro. Rutgers
University will assist in quality control work with SU Ag Center scientists on
developed hibiscus products. The project also strives to develop a
roselle hibiscus business incubator by providing training and facility to jump
start entrepreneurship development.
The funded project will also evaluate the roselle hibiscus foliage
as nutritive forage for weight gain of goats as well as a natural dewormer for
intestinal parasitic control.
Other recipients of this year’s funding include: Zanetta
Augustine, PD, Dawn Mellion-Patin and Calvin R. Walker, Co PDs: Academy for the
Academic Enhancement of High School Students in the Food and Agricultural
Sciences, $243,979.00; Wanda Burke, PD, Willie Rawls, Aubrey Williams; Conrad
Jones; Christopher Rogers; Edith Harris; and Calvin R. Walker, Co PDs:
Development of Learning Modules for Assuring Academic Enrichment Support for
Youth in Rural Louisiana, $247,737.00; Tiffany Franklin, PD, Andra Johnson, and
Stephanie Elwood, Co-PDs: Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the
Development of School Gardens, $250,000; Christie Monroe, PD, Kasundra Cyrus,
Yemane Ghebreiyessus, and Calvin R. Walker Co-PDs: Using Agriculture as a Fast
Track Vehicle for Change through Experiential Learning, 249,886.00;
Additionally, Renita Marshall serves as PD, and Willie Rawls, and Kenyatta
Nelson-Smith as Co-PDs on a teaching grant, JAGS in AG: Recruitment,
Exploration and Retention that attracted $150,000.00. Congratulations are in
order.
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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714
