Student Involvement
The AAMU student wildfire team (FireDawgs) and Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) contained a 34-acre fire in a shortleaf-oak forest on Keel Mountain, Madison County, assisted the Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC) with burning 40 acres of planted longleaf pine in Epes, Alabama, and completed a prescribed fire on 24 acres of grassland at Graham Farm, AAMU developed an MOU with FSC to better facilitate student engagement and the use of their facilities. ASU students gained skills in preparation of microorganisms' culture medium, isolating and culture clean mushroom isolates such as Shiitake; Nameko; Blewit; Almond mushrooms, Wine cap and two oyster mushrooms. ASU-Obtained additional funding for graduate student training and conducted hands-on mushroom cultivation training in Water-Valley, MS. (ThA3)
TU students collected and analyzed samples and data, and presented findings on livestock production in woodlands and silvopastures. TU used a “Train the Trainer” approach to transfer Best Management Practices (BMPs), technologies and results to agricultural professionals, agents, and SFRL leaders within value-added, post-harvest and organic systems. Partners were Patagonia, Microsoft, NCATU, SolarUP LLC, City of Montgomery, Alabama Power and EATSouth. TU hosted the virtual #EARTH2TU seminar series. Topics included Regenerative Agriculture for Black and Brown Communities, regenerative opportunities for small farmers and corporate industry, Regenerative Fashion, Water Resource Management and Security, African Americans and Heir Property. TU Hosted the 130th Farmers Conference virtually–“Regenerating Farms, Economies, and Communities.” (ThA4)
WVSU-Rapport Building and Train-the-Trainer Teams set the groundwork with farm cooperatives and Ag volunteers (teachers and Master Gardeners) across West Virginia to participate in Train-the-Trainer programs to address knowledge gaps in cold-chain knowledge, postharvest practices, and urban agricultural techniques. (ThA5) Between May and October 2022, the WV Tree Minders program delivered over fifteen workshops and other stakeholder interactions, reaching more than 300 persons; over 200 were youth from a middle school that was introduced to tree identification during outdoor learning days. Three student interns were introduced to urban forestry as part of this program, and one is now seeking a graduate degree in the field.
Recently employed, recently graduated and new students from AAMU, ASU and WVSU include Michael Kennedy, Samuel Jeffers, Annabeth Defoe, Derryin Stampley, Jorge Vera, Joseph Hayslette, Corey Foster, Haylee Skiles
The TU CISC Summer Experience. In 2022, a total of 19 students completed the program (6 high schoolers from 3 counties; 10 undergraduates from 3 institutions; and 3 post-graduates). Recruitment is currently underway for Summer 2023. New focuses in Organic Agriculture and Poultry/Meat processing will be available for all students in addition to Small Farms, Urban Farming, Local Food Systems, and Fruit and Vegetable Processing.
CISC Summer Experience
CISC Summer Experience
Isaiah Jordan CISC Project
Isaiah Jordan CISC Summer Experience Presentation “ A Tale of 2 Farms”
LaDarrius CISC EXPERIENCE
TU: The first cohort of the CISC HBCU Fellows Program includes 13 students from 11 HBCUs. These students, as well as additional students were invited to present their work at the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference in November 2022.
TU via CFSRPES applied for and received funding
($2 M) for a Center of Excellence for Poultry and Meat Processing for Workforce Development. This project seeks to enhance the effort of recruitment from underrepresented institutions as well as increase the rates of industry workers in this prominent field. The program will provide structured guidance and mentorship to ensure that the students and workers are trained effectively. The collaborating efforts from three other 1890 land grant institutions (DSU, FVSU, UMES) will also increase students' engagement within research and development.