Top USDA administrators to join SC State PSA’s 2nd Annual Ag & Land Grant Celebration
Event garners $140k in support funding
The Ag and Land-Grant Celebration is composed of a series of events recognizing the university’s rich land-grant legacy and increase awareness of the institution’s land-grant mission of improving the quality of life for individuals, families, farmers and communities through research, teaching and outreach services and programs.
Administrators slated to join the celebration include: Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics who also serves as USDA chief scientist; Homer Wilkes, undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment; Dr. DeWayne Goldmon, senior advisor for Racial Equity to the Agriculture Secretary; Daniel Whitley, administrator for Foreign Agricultural Service; Dr. Spiro Stefanou, administrator for Economic Research Service and Dr. Dionne Toombs, associate program director for the National Institute for Food and Agriculture.
“We are delighted to welcome leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to our Ag and Land-Grant Celebration. USDA is a significant strategic partner with SC State,” university president Alexander Conyers said. “Together we collaborate to address issues impacting communities in the areas of agriculture, food and the environment.
“We certainly value the time each official is taking to engage with the campus community and the hundreds of South Carolinians that will attend the educational outreach programs planned during the week,” Conyers said.
The USDA agencies represented, and other agriculture and food systems organizations have contributed $140,000 in support of the ag educational classes, forums, panel discussions and demonstrations.
“The generous investments demonstrate confidence among our partners in SC State University and its Public Service and Agriculture division as a dependable and effective influencer of transformative progress in the lives of those whom we touch,” said Dr. Louis Whitesides, vice president for SC State PSA and executive director for 1890 Research & Extension. “We are committed to fulfilling our land-grant mission, whether through offering access to affordable, high-quality education, making small farms more sustainable and profitable; building healthier families with nutrition education or nurturing future leaders in 4-H youth development programs."
The week so far
The celebration kicked off Monday and continued Tuesday with SC State PSA 101, an introductory course taught to first-year and transfer Bulldog students on the history of the nation’s land-grant system and SC State’s land-grant legacy.
On Wednesday, the campus community was invited to the SC State PSA complex to attend an Open House. Attendees learned how SC State’s land-grant programs serve as the foundation for the university and integrate into helping the institution achieve its mission, while also enjoying complimentary lunch.
At Noon, Dr. Spiro Stefanou, administrator for USDA Economic Research Service, was the guest presenter for the College of Business and Information Systems Executive Speaker Series in Belcher Hall.
Ag & Land-Grant Week upcoming events
Thursday
- On Thursday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m., more than 100 students from the College of Agriculture and Family and Consumer Science will enjoy a panel discussion, Your Future in Ag, with Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics/Chief USDA scientist and Dr. Dionne Toombs, associate director for USDA NIFA programs.
- Later at 5:00 p.m., students will attend a dinner, where Daniel B. Whitley, administrator for Foreign Agricultural Service, will serve as keynote speaker.
Friday
- On Friday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m., SC State PSA will host its farmers forum with several panel discussions on tax implications pertaining to the USDA’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program and climate-smart incentives, urban agriculture and equity in agriculture. Dr. Homer Wilkes, undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
- Later that evening, an invitation-only partners dinner will be held, featuring Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, who will deliver the keynote address.
Saturday
- At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, SC State PSA will welcome alumni for a breakfast, where attendees will hear from administrators on university developments, including the progress of SC State PSA. SC State alumnus Darrell Tennie will deliver remarks. Tennie is the chief executive officer of the Tennie Group LLC, a tax and accounting firm specializing in agribusiness.
- From 1-4 p.m., a showcase highlighting SC State Extension programs with cooking and drone demonstrations, horseback riding, a petting zoo and other activities will be held on campus at the football practice field. To experience the showcase, attendees will need to purchase a game-day ticket.
- The celebration will conclude with the 6 p.m. home opener game between the SC State Bulldogs and the NC A&T State Aggies at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
SC State University is one of two land-grant universities in the state and belongs
to a national system of more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities.
As the state’s only public Historically Black College or University, SC State is recognized as an 1890 land-grant, along with 18 other institutions. The date references the year the 2nd Morrill Act was enacted to expand access to higher education to Americans, not previously included in the initial passage of the 1862 Morrill Act.