SU Ag Center among 1890 Land-Grant Universities receiving scholarship grant from USDA-NIFA

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The grant, which was made possible through NIFA’s 1890 Scholarship Program and authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, will provide full and partial scholarships to undergraduate students majoring in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. 

“The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences are elated to be amongst the nineteen 1890 Land-Grant Institutions to receive this stellar and timely scholarship,” expressed Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Chancellor-Dean of the SU Ag Center and the College of Ag. “These funds carry the mandate of advancing the agricultural and food systems via the academic land-grant mission component.  We at the Ag Center and College of Ag view this scholarship as a game-changer, and are thankful to Congressman David Scott of Georgia for championing this important land-grant educational endeavor,” added Dr. McMeans.

The 1890 Scholarship Program provides scholarships to 1890 Land-Grant Institutes to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduate students.

NIFA awarded more than $14 million to Southern University and the following institutions: Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Lincoln University of Missouri,  Alcorn State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Central State University, Langston University,  South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Prairie View A&M University, Virginia State University, and West Virginia State University.

It has a mission of investing in and advancing agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural sciences, visit https://nifa.usda.gov/impacts.  

Additional information and applications for the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences’ 1890 Scholarship are available here.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Dr. Orlando McMeans named to governor’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force

Dr. Orlando McMeans, Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, has been named to the state's COVID-19Health Equity Task Force. 

Baton Rouge, La. – Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Chancellor-Dean of the Southern University Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, has been named to Governor John Bel Edwards Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

“It is indeed an honor to be named to such a tremendously important and talented working group,” said Dr. McMeans. “As an African American growing up in southern Alabama under similar conditions to those most disproportionately and adversely affected by COVID-19, it affords me an opportunity to lend my life experiences and expertise to addressing this national issue,” he added.

The task force will focus on research and actions to improve health outcomes and equity for the state’s residents. The group’s progress will be monitored by a statewide Health Equity Dashboard.

McMeans was appointed with several other leaders from within the Southern University System. These leaders include Dr. Sandra Brown, dean of the Southern University Baton Rouge campus’ College of Nursing and Allied Health, who will serve as co-chair of the task force and Dr. Rani G. Whitfield, Southern University System Board Member and family practice physician.

Deleso A. Alford, professor of law at the Southern University Law Center; and Dr. Damien Ejigiri, dean and professor of the Nelson Mandela School of Government and Social Sciences will serve on the task force’s Public and Regulatory Policy subcommittee, which will focus on policies and laws that impact health disparities.

Southern University System President-Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton and Chief of Staff Dr. Katara Williams, were also appointed as part of the task force’s administration along with SU alum and Commissioner of the Louisiana Board of Regents, Dr. Kim Hunter-Reed.

The task force is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Friday, April 24.

For additional information about the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force and a complete list of members, click here.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/ 
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Applications for the College of Ag’s Jag S.T.A.R.S. 1890 Scholarship are now available

The scholarship is open to freshmen majoring in the College of Agricultural, Family & Consumer Sciences

Baton Rouge, La. – The College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences is currently accepting applications for its Jag Student Training in Academics, Research and Service (S.T.A.R.S.) 1890 Scholarship.

The scholarship awards up to $10,000 a year for full scholarships and $5,000 a year for partial scholarships.

To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must be an incoming freshman majoring in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences with a 2.8 or higher grade point average.

In addition to a completed application, each applicant is also required to submit an official transcript, ACT or SAT scores, two letters of recommendation, and an essay explaining their interests and intent to pursue a career in Food and Agricultural Sciences and Related Fields.

Applications are available here. The application deadline is September 1, 2020.

For additional information on the Jag S.T.A.R.S. 1890 Scholarship, contact Michelle Briscoe-Long at 225-771-2152 or email michelle_briscoelong@suagcenter.com.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

SU Ag Center staff set to conduct a webinar for the National eXtension Foundation

Webinar to provide information on how to assist the community after an emergency.

Baton Rouge, La. – Members of the Southern University Ag Center’s JAGriculture team will discuss the role of Extension after an emergency during a webinar on April 16.

The webinar, which is hosted by the eXtension Foundation, will be held from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (Central) and will use the 2016 Louisiana Flood as a conceptual lens to provide attendees with information on ways to provide programming and support to assist communities and citizens after a disaster.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, click here.

SU Ag Center’s JAGriculture team consists of Krystle Allen, Extension Associate; Marlin Ford, Ph.D., Urban Agricultural Specialist; Kiyana Kelly, Family and Consumer Sciences Associate Agent; Nicolette Gordon, Assistant Area Agent for youth development; and Angell Jordan, Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant Area Agent.

The eXtension Foundation is a membership-based non-profit organization designed to aid the U.S. Cooperative Extension programs from land-grant universities/colleges located in every state and territory in becoming more visible by providing measurable impacts in support of educational outreach. eXtension is embedded in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System and serves on the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). The organization provides an array of opportunities for Extension professionals that foster innovation creation, the adoption of innovations at member institutions, and increased impact of Extension programs. For more information on eXtension membership, please visit www.eXtension.org.

A video of the presentation is available here.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

College of Ag to hold Virtual Summer BAYOU Program

Application deadline has been extended to May 1, 2020

Baton Rouge, La. - Southern University’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences has extended the application deadline for its summer Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) Program.

The three-week program will be held virtually June 7 – 26, 2020 and will provide high school seniors and incoming college freshmen with an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about career opportunities in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business or the natural sciences.

To qualify, students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have completed 11th grade. Graduating high school seniors must have either an ACT (SAT equivalent) composite score of 20 or above, or a 2.5 GPA, or rank in the top 50% of their high school graduation class and require no more than one remedial course. 

Applications are available here. The application deadline is May 1, 2020.

Questions and concerns about the BAYOU Program can be directed to Dr. Harold Mellieon at subayou1@gmail.com. 

 ###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter