What is the AgriFCS Academy?
The Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences Academy (AgriFCS) is a collaboration between two 1890 land-grant institutions, South Carolina State University (SCSU) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU). Developed by Dr. LaToya Johnson (Project Director, SCSU) and Dr. Ethel Jones (Co-Project Director, AAMU), these institutions will share grant funding by implementing a five-pronged approach to achieve three objectives. The goal is to prepare and support students entering the Food, Agriculture and Natural Science, Human Sciences (FANH) Workforce, increasing the number of professionals entering the USDA Workforce.
AgriFCS by the Numbers
Finance
$8.7MGrant funding
Payments
55Students awarded $5,000 each in 2024-25
commute
21Students from outside South Carolina
Mail
271High schools & tech centers contacted Year 1
Objectives
- Recruit, retain, train, support, and graduate 120 middle and high school students for post-secondary education to complete academic programs aligned with FANH;
- Develop and retain collaborative relationships with educators and parents to encourage active engagement in the recruitment of middle and high school students;
- Establish certifications for undergraduate students that will address FANH specializations.
The project will benefit up to 100 middle and high school participants and their parents while preparing 120 undergraduate students for the workforce and employment with USDA. This project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The AgriFCS Academy is one of 33 projects funded.
Five-Pronged Approach
This project consists of a 5-pronged approach to provide the next generation of professionals for the FANH Workforce and the USDA:
Video
Events Calendar
February |
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| SC American Family Consumer Sciences Conference | Greenville, SC | February 19-21, 2025 | NA |
| AgriFCS Academy Mentor Program | SC State Staley Hall Auditorium | February 27, 2025 | 6-7 p.m. |
| SC FCCLA - Culinary Competition | Charleston, SC | February 28, 2025 | NA |
March |
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| AgriFCS Professional Development Session | SC Staley Hall Auditorium | March 3, 2025 | 5-6 p.m. |
| SC FCCLA State Leadership Conference |
North Charleston, SC | March 10-12, 2025 | NA |
| AgriFCS Academy Career Tuesday Talk | Zoom |
March 18, 2025 |
6-7 p.m. |
|
AgriFCS Academy Career Tuesday Talk |
Zoom |
March 25, 2025 |
6-7 p.m. |
|
AgriFCS Academy Mentor Program |
SC State Staley Hall Auditorium |
March 27, 2025 |
6-7 p.m. |
April |
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| AgriFCS Professional Development Session | SC State Staley Hall Auditorium | April 7, 2025 |
5-6 p.m. |
| AgriFCS Academy Career Tuesday Talk | Zoom | April 8, 2025 | 6-7 p.m. |
| AgriFCS Academy Career Tuesday Talk | Zoom | April 22, 2025 | 6-7 p.m. |
| AgriFCS Academy Mentor Program | SC State Staley Hall Auditorium | April 24, 2025 | 6-7 p.m. |
|
College of Agriculture and FCS Research Symposium |
SC State Staley Hall | April 25, 2025 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
Contact Information
Dr. LaToya N. Johnson, Program Director
ljohn1@scsu.edu
803-516-4774
Ms. Krystal S. Singletary, Program Manager
ksingl24@scsu.edu
Patricia Gibson-Haigler
phaigler@scsu.edu
General Inquiries
agrifcs@scsu.edu
Apply to attend SC State University