Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture

Monday, October 12

SU Dept. of Ag receives National Science Foundation grant to aid middle and high schoolers

Project to bring virtual reality experiences to students in rural and urban schools

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences, along with the Department of Science and Mathematics Education (SMED), College of Sciences and Engineering, and the School of Education, will bring virtual reality experiences to middle and high school students and teachers through the ‘Building Environmental and Educational Technology Competence and Leadership Among Educators: An Exploration in Virtual Reality(VR) Professional Development (BEE-Tech) project.

The project, which is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, will leverage the Department of Agricultural Sciences’ virtual reality projects to provide the teachers and students of rural and urban middle and high schools with local virtual reality experiences. Often these schools are lacking resources for field trips and the VR project will allow students to be immersed in simulated field experiences.

“The Louisiana wetlands is an example of one of our nation's most vulnerable ecosystems that exist near communities where there are little to no STEM training opportunities for teachers and students in K-12 schools,” said Dr. Harold Mellieon, Jr., chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences. “Focusing on these threatened natural environments and their connection to flooding will put STEM concepts in a real-world context that is relatable to students living in these areas while integrating innovative virtual reality technology into their learning.”

Dr. Nastassia Jones, an Associate Professor in the Department of Science and Mathematics Education (SMED), is the lead Principle Investigator of this interdisciplinary, three-year grant. Drs. Christopher Chappell, Department of Urban Forestry and Natural Resources; Dr. Christopher Guillory (SMED); Emily Jackson-Osagie Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and Harold Mellieon, Jr., Department of Agricultural Sciences, all from Southern University, are Co-Principle Investigators on the grant.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Friday, October 9

Southern University Ag Center Prepares Youth to Thrive During the New Normal

The Southern University Ag Center's 4-H Youth Development Team conducted a Zoom series called, “Giving Youth H.O.P.E." from June – August 2020. The series provided youth with social and cognitive support to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baton Rouge, La. – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, life as we once knew it abruptly changed and posed a major shift in the way we interacted with each other. Many uncertainties around the virus likely caused a significant amount of unrest in our communities. Across the globe, youth and their families missed pivotal moments in their lives such as prom, face-to-face interaction with friends, graduation ceremonies, and celebrations. Naturally, this was likely stressful and unsettling for adults and more so on our youth.

Dealing with an international pandemic was new to everyone and holistic adjustments were made emotionally, physically, and mentally. Therefore, to provide a foundation for support, the Southern University Ag Center’s 4-H Youth Development team developed a series of five sessions to provide social and cognitive support services to youth, along with high school students who were directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, called Giving Youth Healthy Options that Promote Excellence (H.O.P.E.), was conducted via Zoom from June – August.

The sessions were provided in partnership with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and were strategically designed using a progressive learning strategy. The first session was, “Dealing with Disappointment.” Ideally, the intent was to acknowledge the feelings of the youth and offer therapeutic solutions to cope with the unprecedented circumstances. Other sessions included:

Preparing for My Tomorrow: What’s Next for Me? – Making adjustments and setting attainable goals.
Vision Board Party – Putting their visions on paper and discussing ways their goals may be attained. Feeling accomplished but, understanding it is ok to adjust their vision to refocus on the original goal.
Social Distancing and Teens – As students prepared to return to school after the summer break, being quarantined and/or isolated, youth learned the importance of self-management and their responsibility in helping to stop the spread of infectious diseases.
I Made It! – Youth closed the series with a new outlook on how to safely reengage in their “new normal.”

The team is working to develop more series for youth and young adults and intends to partner with more faith and community-based entities to provide meaningful services to youth in Louisiana.

Southern University Ag Center’s 4-H Youth Development team is led by Tiffany Franklin, Ph.D., Associate Youth Specialist and Program Leader, with Assistant Area Agents Kayla Fontenot and Chelsea Hammond.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

SU Department of Ag Sciences receives a $139,500 grant from the La. Board of Regents

Southern University's College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences Logo

Grant will be used to develop a virtual reality lab for students

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences has received a grant to establish a virtual reality laboratory named the JAG’s DEN.

The laboratory will assist students in courses within the department and be used as a recruitment tool for the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS).

“The JAG's DEN will allow the department to enhance the global competitiveness of our graduates by creating more diverse learning opportunities while they are in the program,” said Dr. Harold Mellieon, Jr., chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences. “The JAG’s DEN will be used as a reinforcement space to enhance the content in course lectures and labs by supplementing with virtual reality.”

The lab was funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Journeys in Agricultural Science Developing Educational Networks grant for $139,500.

Dr. Mellieon is the Principle Investigators for the grant with Co-Principle Investigators Drs. Renita Marshall, Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Services/ Associate Dean of the Southern University CAFCS, Nastassia Jones, Associate Professor and Francesca Mellieon-William with the SU Science and Math Education Department (SMED).

For additional information about the JAG’s DEN virtual reality laboratory, contact Dr. Harold Mellieon, Jr. at harold_mellieon@subr.edu.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Friday, October 2

Students to learn about USDA job opportunities during an Informational Webinar

Event Flyer

The webinar will provide students with information on USDA internships and employment opportunities

Baton Rouge, La. – Southern University’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) will hold a USDA Informational Webinar on Oct. 8 at 4:30 p.m. on Zoom.

The virtual event, hosted by the University’s United States Department of Agriculture Liaison – Allison Johnson, will provide Southern University Ag students with information on internships and employment opportunities available within the agency.

According to the USDA and its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) agency, 600 internship and full-time position openings will be available starting on October 13.

"Events like these are another way we can make sure our students put forth their best effort and are successful when they are selected for internships and employment in their field,” expressed Dr. Harold Mellieon, Jr., Department Chair of Agricultural Science in the CAFCS. “It also allows our students to ask questions to professionals in the field about how they should prepare not only their resume, but how to research the jobs they are applying for, either full-time or an internship,” add Mellieon.

The informational is scheduled to last 30 - 45 minutes and can be accessed at https://sus.zoom.us/j/98056436145, with Meeting ID: 980 5643 6145.

For additional information about the USDA Informational, contact Dr. Mellieon at harold_mellieon@subr.edu.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Thursday, October 1

Southern University Ag Center Launches Medical Cannabis Product Line for Autism

Erica Daniels, founder of Hope Grows for Autism, is pictured with her son Leo. Daniels developed the formulation for HOPE™ with Zelira Therapeutics.

HOPE™ is the state’s first Medical Cannabis Product scientifically formulated for Autism patients of all ages

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, with Ilera Holistic Healthcare today announced the statewide launch of the HOPE™ line of medical cannabis tinctures based on groundbreaking scientific research on using cannabis to treat the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in both children and adults.

Grown, cultivated, processed and packaged in Louisiana, HOPE™ products are available exclusively through state-licensed medical marijuana pharmacies and available to all Louisiana patients and families through a doctor's prescription.

"After seeing the success of HOPE™ in Pennsylvania, we were determined to bring it to patients of Louisiana, a state where we exceed the national percentage of autism diagnoses--while at-risk and under-served patients still struggle to receive safe and effective healthcare," says Ilera Holistic CEO Dr. Chanda Macias. "Louisiana families deserve full access to all the benefits that cannabis medicine can provide, and we are thrilled to have HOPE™ in this market and available to everyone."

Scientific research shows cannabis to be safe and effective on patients (including children) to treat ASD, and patients who use it have reported significant improvement in their quality of life, mood, and sleep--and less reliance on other medications.

HOPE™ is the brainchild of Erica Daniels, founder of Hope Grows for Autism, a nonprofit aimed at improving the lives of families affected by autism through research, education and advocacy of medical marijuana.

"The autism community in Louisiana is blessed to have a partner in Ilera Holistic Healthcare to bring HOPE™ to families affected by ASD," says Daniels. "Now more than ever, patients are struggling with the symptoms associated with autism. I am so thrilled that Ilera Holistic Healthcare is bringing HOPE™ to so many Louisiana patients who need it!"

"HOPE™ is another product with which we are proud to be associated," said Janana Snowden, director of the Southern Institute for Medicinal Plants at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. "The work we do aims to not only provide valuable research but to also provide potentially beneficial and accessible treatments for symptoms due to conditions that thousands of people live with daily, like autism."

HOPE™ was formulated by Zelira Therapeutics a leading global therapeutic medical cannabis company with access to the world's largest and fastest growing cannabis markets. The company's focus is on developing branded cannabis products for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including insomnia, autism and chronic non-cancer pain.

HOPE™ is gluten, dairy, soy and nut-free; scientifically formulated, lab tested, and pesticide free; and only available in the state of Louisiana at licensed cannabis pharmacies. HOPE™ will be available in two formulations: "HOPE1," a 1:1 THC:CBD tincture, and "HOPE2", a 5:1 THC:CBD tincture.

View the list of Louisiana Licensed Dispensaries.

About the Southern University Ag Center

The Southern University Ag Center is the fifth campus of the Southern University System. The mission of the Center is to conduct basic and applied research and disseminate information to the citizens of Louisiana in a manner that is essential in addressing their scientific, technological, social, economic and cultural needs of its clientele.

About Ilera Holistic Healthcare

Ilera Holistic Healthcare is a fully integrated medical marijuana company that fuses science and innovation to discover life-changing therapies. In Louisiana, we partner our world-class cultivation and extraction methods with Southern University's to expertly create and deliver consistent, high quality medicines. From seed and soil to dispensary shelves, Ilera is committed to providing a superior health and wellness experience.

Information from Ilera Holistic Healthcare was used in the development of this press release.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Tuesday, September 29

Dr. De’Shoin York named Interim Vice Chancellor for Extension at the SU Ag Center

Dr. De'Shoin York has been named the Interim Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach at the Southern University Ag Center.

Baton Rouge, La. – De’Shoin A. York, Ph.D., has been appointed the Interim Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Dr. York was appointed to the position during the Southern University System Board of Supervisors’ meeting on September 25. The appointment will be effective on October 1.

In January, York was named the Associate Vice Chancellor of the Center. For the past 20 years, Dr. York has served as the Southern University Ag Center’s Nutrition, Health, and Wellness Specialist. In this role, she has designed and implemented nutrition, health, and wellness programming for the Center’s disadvantaged and low-income clientele. She also serves as Director for both the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition education programs.

Prior to coming to the Southern University Ag Center, York was a research assistant at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center where she worked on the well-known Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Study.

She also served as the Director of Dietary Services for BHC Meadow Wood Hospital as well as Special Programs Coordinator and Food Procurement Coordinator for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

York has written several journal articles and publications in the area of food and nutrition.

She will serve as Chair for the Family and Consumer Sciences group of the Southern Region - Program Leadership Network (SR-PLN) for the 2021 programming year. The organization’s mission is to foster and strengthen Extension education programming throughout the southern region by promoting multistate cooperation, anticipating emerging program issues and needs, and implementing action processes to address them promptly.

York is a member of the Louisiana Statewide Clinical and Translational Science Center (LaCATS) Advisory Board, which provides oversite to a statewide medical research consortium of 10 major academic and biomedical research centers within the state. The goal of the board is to facilitate clinical research to improve the health and healthcare of all Louisiana citizens, particularly those living with chronic diseases.

Dr. York earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Foods and Nutrition; a Master’s of Public Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy with a concentration in Health Policy, all from Southern University.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Monday, September 28

SU/ LSU College of Ag set to co-host Virtual Ag Career Prep Week

Event Flyer

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) and the LSU College of Agriculture will co-host the Virtual Louisiana Land-Grant Ag Career Prep Week.

The event will be held October 13-16, 2020 and will provide the agricultural students from the state’s two Land-Grant Institutions with an opportunity to gain professional development skills and network with potential employers.

“Students should start career planning as early as freshman year,” said Dr. Renita Marshall, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Services/ Associate Dean of the SU CAFCS. “The goals of the virtual Land-Grant Ag Career Prep Week are to provide CAFCS students with the tools, guidance and opportunity to create and follow a career path, assist students in transitions from college to work at all levels, and introduce students to the many different careers within Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences,” added Dr. Marshall.

The prep week will include:

· Virtual Agriculture Career Fair
· Roundtable discussions on Ag Careers
· Virtual speed networking social
· Louisiana Land-Grant Coffee Chat with the Dr. Orlando F. McMeans and Dr. Phil Elzer

“The Ag Career Prep Week will also give students an appreciation of what the land-grant status means and how they and their chosen field work together to create stronger communities,” expressed Dr. Marshall.

Students, alumni, employers, and faculty interested in participating in the Virtual Louisiana Land-Grant Ag Prep Week should register by Thursday, October 8, 2020.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Friday, September 25

SU Ag Center celebrated the 130th Anniversary of the 2nd Morrill Act with the 1890 Universities

Baton Rouge, LA - The SU Ag Center and the Southern University Baton Rouge campus, along with the nation’s 1890 Universities, celebrated the 130^th anniversary of the Morrill Act of 1890 with an online forum on Monday, August 31.

The Act established a land-grant university system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). in states where African Americans were banned from accessing public higher education.

“The Second Morrill Act of 1890 was passed out of necessity, due to the fact that the First Morrill Act excluded the African American citizenry from attending colleges established under the initial land-grant provision,” said Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Chancellor-Dean of the SU Ag Center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. “In summary, the Second Morrill Act stated that these schools were created to provide instruction in agriculture, the mechanical arts, English language and the various branches of mathematical, physical, natural, and economic science to the black citizens of the states where these students had no access to other higher education institutions,” added Dr. McMeans.

The webinar featured two panel discussions, one consisting of the presidents of several 1890 Universities and Peter McPherson, President of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The second panel discussion consisted of private sector leaders. Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences alum and the Director of U.S. Federal Government Affairs at Walmart, Phillip Thomas-Wallace, was one of five panelists who spoke during the forum.

The 1890s educate nearly 100,000 students annually, contribute more than $4.4 billion to the local economies, and provide pathways of opportunity for thousands of Americans, with little investment.

The 1890 land-grant universities are: Southern University and A&M College, Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University in Missouri, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University.

View the 1890 Morrill Act 130th Anniversary Video.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Wednesday, September 9

SU Ag Center to provide free physical exams during Small & Large Animal Health Clinic

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Ag Center, the SU Institute for One Health One Medicine and Jackson’s Veterinary Services have partnered to host a Small and Large Animal Health Clinic from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The clinic, which will include free physical exams for animals, will be held at the SU Ag Center’s Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, located at 14600 Scenic Hwy., in Baton Rouge, La.

To request an appointment, visit www.jacksonsvet.com, click on appointment request, and complete the form. Individuals will receive a phone call within 24 hours to confirm the appointment time and details. All additional services offered during the health clinic will have a fee.

For additional information, please contact Jackson’s Veterinary Services at 318-947-5018 or via email at info@jacksonsvet.com.

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Thursday, September 3

SU Ag Center set to host a webinar on Solutions for Diversity, Access & Equality in Agriculture

Baton Rouge, La. – The Southern University Ag Center will host a webinar entitled, ‘Agriculture: Solutions for Diversity, Access, & Equality’ at 5 p.m. (Central) on September 16.

The webinar will consist of a panel discussion related to agriculture and the issues facing today’s society of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), farmers, scientists, and the challenges of accessing the needs to function and bring about meaningful change. The panel will consist of Dr. Deacue Fields, Beattra Wilson, Dr. René Brown, and Irene Lewis.

“During these challenging times comprising of racial unrest, disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 amongst minority and underserved communities, and economic challenges, it is imperative that we have such a dialog to discuss ways in which we, as an 1890 land-grant university, engage and provide critical services to the citizens and communities we serve,” expressed Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Chancellor of the SU Ag Center and Dean of the SU College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Dr. Deacue Fields is the Dean and Senior Associate Vice President for the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Fields was a faculty member at Auburn University and served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. In his administrative role, he has been successful in establishing multidisciplinary collaborations to attract extramural funds, build relationships with alumni and industry stakeholders to enhance the student experience. He has also conducted research on the impact of agribusinesses on state, regional, and national economies and assisted agribusinesses with marketing and management strategies. Dr. Fields earned a Bachelor’s degree from Southern University, a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, all in Agricultural Economics.

Beattra Wilson is the Assistant Director of Cooperative Forestry and national lead for Urban and Community Forestry at the USDA Forest Service (FS) in Washington, D.C. In this position, Wilson oversees program policy, budget, partnership development and strategic delivery of national, regional and state urban and community forestry programs. She has served on the Forest Service Environmental Justice Board, co-chaired the USDA 1890 Land Grant Task Force Executive Committee and has built a solid career administering conservation cooperative assistance programs at regional and national offices. She currently serves as agency representative to the Secretary of Agriculture’s Office of Customer Experience and has completed White House detail assignments to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Wilson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Forestry from Southern University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Kennesaw State University.

Dr. René Brown is the pastor of Mount Zion First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La. He also serves as the President and Moderator of the Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association of Louisiana, Inc. and secretary of the T.J. Jemison Baptist Student Union Board. He is also a member of the Board of Leland College, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, and the Workforce Investment Act Youth Services. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern University and a Master’s degree in Crop Physiology from Louisiana State University.

Irene Lewis was Southern University’s Spring 2020 Chief Student Marshal, the student graduating with the highest grade point average in the class. Lewis earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Plant and Soil Science. During her academic career, Irene was elected the National Undergraduate President of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization for the 2019-2020 year and Region IV National Undergraduate Vice President of MANRRS for the 2018-2019 year where she represented the organization's college chapters in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. Irene was also active in the local Southern University Chapter of MANRRS where she served as both the Secretary during the 2017-2018 academic year and Historian during the 2018-2019 year. She has interned with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and is currently working on a Master’s of Public Administration at The Ohio State University, focusing on food access policy.

“This webinar is not only an opportunity to showcase the successes of our graduates from Southern University’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, but also to learn from their collective experiences on the issues associated with diversity, access and equality,” said Dr. McMeans.