VSU Partners with the 1890 Land-Grant USDA Center of Excellence for Student Success and Workforce Development to Launch Emerging USDA Leaders Model Program, Supporting USDA's NextGen Initiative
VSU, N.C. A&T, UMES, TU, FAMU, FVSU, NCSU and APB receive $18.1 million through USDA’s NextGen Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2023
Contact: Erica Shambley, Interim Director of Marketing, 804-524-5965, eshambley@vsu.edu
ETTRICK, VA.— Virginia State University (VSU) was selected by the Biden-Harris administration as one of eight 1890 Historically Black Land-grant institutions to help strengthen the United States food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) workforce.
"With the support of the USDA and our collaborative partners, we will provide our students with unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning, professional development, and international engagement. Through this program, we are cultivating the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals who will make significant contributions to the field and address the evolving challenges of our global food system," said Dr. Robert N. Corley, III, Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture and 1890 Administrator at Virginia State University.
This initiative, known as "NextGen," is part of the USDA's comprehensive plan "From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals," which aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minority students in the field. This program is funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to lower costs for American families, expand access to markets to producers from all backgrounds and communities, build a clean energy economy and strengthen American supply chains.
This collaboration, spearheaded by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) and the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 1890 Land-Grant Center of Excellence for Student Success and Workforce Development, will implement the “System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next Generation (SAPLINGS)” of Professionals and Leaders in Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences program with a goal of training 6,134 grade 5-12 students, 326 grade 5-12 educators, and 5,871 college students; reach 980 families; engaging more than 30 partners; and enhancing underrepresented minority student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates at 1890 Land-Grant Universities to grow the next generation of diverse workers, leaders, and innovators for FANH careers. The five-year, $18.1 million award from USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture ensures the program's funding and long-term impact.
This dynamic partnership includes the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Tuskegee University (TU), Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Fort Valley State University (FVSU), North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Arkansas Pine-Bluff (APB).
As part of this collaborative effort, VSU and UMES are launching the Emerging USDA Leaders Model (EULM) to better prepare students with the leadership and technical skills needed for rewarding careers in the FAHN sectors. This innovative program employs a new recruitment strategy to establish a talent pipeline by introducing middle and high school students to the FAHN sector prior to college through agricultural-focused hackathons, climate-smart agricultural technologies, and other STEM-based experiences. At the college level, students will receive scholarships and opportunities for domestic and international internships, supported by federal, state, and private sources, to develop a wide range of workforce-related skills.
"One of the key strengths of the EULM program is its holistic approach to recruiting and preparing students for success in the FAHN sectors," said Dr. Corley. "By combining early exposure for K-12 students, and experiential learning through government and industry engagement, and international experiences for college students, we are equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and global perspective needed to address complex challenges and drive innovation in the field."
VSU and UMES will provide students across the FAHN spectrum with a range of career-building experiences, guided by faculty, industry professionals, and federal and state partners. These opportunities will include mentoring, professional development activities, and invaluable guidance to excel in their chosen fields. Faculty at all seven partner institutions will receive training to enhance student experiences and the educational environment.
In terms of global preparation, the EULM program supports VSU's official International Agricultural Certificate program, designed to equip students for service abroad in the Peace Corps and USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service. This global perspective is crucial, providing students a competitive advantage in an increasingly interconnected world, and empowering them with the necessary skills to make a positive international impact.
The EULM program represents a significant opportunity to provide transformative learning experiences for students, ensuring a broader impact on community well-being and our ultimate goal of a Center for Transformational Leadership and Community Impact. "We are excited to be part of the NEXTGEN initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact our graduates will have on our community and the future of food and agriculture," said Dr. Corley.
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