USDA invests $30.8m in historically black universities for Ag research

May 20, 2024

By Farms.com

The USDA has allocated $30.8 million to 19 historically black land-grant universities. This funding, provided through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is designed to enhance these institutions' capacity to conduct scientific research and extend educational programs in agriculture.

The investment will underpin 68 innovative projects that address vital areas such as crop genetic enhancement, food safety, and the integration of technology in agriculture. Examples include a project at Fort Valley State University focused on gene-editing for crop hardiness, a food sciences initiative at North Carolina A&T State University involving chocolate science, and a digital commerce development project at South Carolina State University.

These projects not only aim to advance academic curricula but also to prepare students for future challenges in agriculture, ensuring that they are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, the funding will help enhance faculty development, student recruitment, and retention, further building the educational prowess of these universities.

The USDA’s investment is part of a broader commitment to supporting underserved communities and small to mid-sized producers, with a focus on building resilience and innovation within the U.S. agricultural sector.

By enhancing the capabilities of 1890 institutions, the USDA is ensuring that these universities continue to serve as crucial pillars in educating and preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders, ready to address the complex challenges of modern agriculture.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.