USDA/1890 Partnership –

A Broad PerspectiveAntonio McLaren

USDA/1890 Program Liaison Virginia State University

USDA/Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Purpose of Presentation

Overview of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO)

History of 1890 Partnership USDA/1890 Programs Significant 1890 Accomplishments National and Local Community

Engagement

Overview of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO)

Organization ChartOffice of Advocacy and Outreach

Director

Associate Director

Community Engagement

Program

Small & Beginning

Farmers and Ranchers Program

Farmworker Coordination

Program

Higher Education Institutions Program

2501 Program

Section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Reorganization Act) (7 U.S.C. 6934), as added by section 14013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), Pub. L. 110-246, requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish within the Department of Agriculture (Department, or USDA) an office to be known as the Office of Advocacy and Outreach.

OAO Legislation

The 2008 Farm Bill required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish OAO as a means of centralizing outreach efforts across USDA agencies.

Establishment of OAO

Improving the viability and profitability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Improving access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities.

Improving agricultural opportunities for farm workers. Closing the professional achievement gap by

providing opportunities to talented and diverse young people to support the agricultural industry in the 21st century.

OAO Priorities

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Small and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Higher Education Institutions

Farmworker Coordination

Community Engagement

OAO Program Areas

The purpose of the 2501 program is to provide outreach, technical assistance, and educational efforts to reach socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches and to participate equitably in agriculture programs.

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants (2501) Program

The Small and Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Program coordinates and collaborates across USDA to enhance services to small and beginning farmers and ranchers. This program manage the activities of the Small and Beginning Farmers Advisory Committee.

Small and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program

Higher Education Institutions Program

Administers a nationwide network of USDA liaisons to the various institutions of higher learning including:

o 1890 Land-Grant Institutions o 1994 Land-Grant Colleges and Universitieso Hispanic-Serving Institutions

The Farm Worker Coordination Program administers grant funding to aid in providing emergency services to low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers who have been adversely affected by a local, state, or national emergency or disaster.

Farm Worker Coordination Program

History of USDA/1890 Partnership

History and Milestones

In 1988, the USDA/1890 Symposium held in Nashville, TN produced the following successes:

Created a closer partnership between USDA and 1890 Institutions.

Attracted more outstanding minority students to professional careers in agriculture, forestry and related areas.

Improved physical facilities on the 1890 campuses

Broadened the research capabilities of the institutions

Enhanced 1890 faculty development

History and Milestones

USDA/1890 Programs

USDA/1890 Programs

USDA/1890 Task Force

USDA/1890 Program Liaisons

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Federal Excess Property Program

Centers of Excellence

USDA/1890 Task Force

USDA/1890 Task Force is a partnership comprised of senior officials representing USDA mission areas and presidents or chancellors from the 1890 Land Grant Institutions and Tuskegee University. The task force provides leadership to advance the best interest of USDA and the 1890 Land-Grant Universities.

USDA/1890 Program Liaisons

Liaisons are full-time, permanent USDA employees who are assigned and physically located on their respective 1890 Land-Grant university campuses.

We work to advance:

Outreach and Research Assistance (primary emphasis)

Student recruitment, retention and career counseling

USDA’s Cultural Transformation Initiative

USDA/1890 Program Liaisons

University Program Liaison

Alabama A&M University Dr. Kurt Gardner

Alcorn State University Clifton Peters

Delaware State University Chandra Owens

Florida A&M University VACANT

Fort Valley State University Karla Martin

Kentucky State University Ed Thompson

Langston University Dwight Guy

Lincoln University Julius Moody

North Carolina A&T State University Larry Hartsfield

USDA/1890 Program Liaisons

University Program Liaison

Prairie View A&M University Horace Hodge

South Carolina State University VACANT

Southern University Allison Johnson

Tennessee State University Will Nesby

Tuskegee University Rodney Stone

University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff George Richardson

University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Lisa Purnell

Virginia State University Antonio McLaren

West Virginia State University VACANT

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a major effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions to award scholarships to students to attend one of the eighteen universities to study agriculture, food, or natural resources and related sciences.

Purpose of the program:

◦Strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA and the 1890 institutions.

◦Increase the number of students studying agriculture and related sciences.

◦Offer USDA/1890 National Scholars employment opportunities with USDA agencies.

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Since its inception in 1993, the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, has been a successful component of the USDA/1890 Partnership.

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Historical Data:

◦Number of Applicants◦Since 1993, over 14,580 students have

applied to the program.

◦Number of Awards◦To date, 549 students have been selected

and hired by USDA as USDA/1890 Scholars.

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Current Data:

◦Number of Participants◦123 Scholars are pursuing undergraduate

degrees on the 1890 campuses.◦In 2012, USDA selected 24 students to

participate in the Scholars Program.

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Swearing-in Ceremony for 2012 USDA/1890 National Scholars

USDA’s Jamie L. Whitten Building Patio

July 24, 2012

Established in 1989 at the urging of the USDA/1890 Task Force to:

◦ Provide 1890 Land-Grant institutions the capacity to acquire federal property.

Federal and DOD property reported as excess are used to support research and extension programs on university campuses.

Federal Excess Property Program

Initiated in 1992. Established partnerships between 1890

institutions and USDA agencies. Each center (one per campus) provides a USDA

presence on the 1890 Campus to:◦ Assist the institution in the delivery of USDA programs.◦ Ensure support from the community.◦ Provide assistance to students who pursue USDA

careers.

Centers of Excellence

Significant 1890 Accomplishments

Provided a USDA presence that enhanced the image and visibility of USDA on the 1890 campuses.

Provided outreach in the establishment of partnerships with government and non-governmental agricultural related organizations.

Significant 1890 Accomplishments

Significantly impacted the enrollment of students in agriculture at 1890 Institutions.

Increased the number of students participating in USDA Coop/Internship programs.

Expanded, promoted, and mentored the USDA/1890 National Scholars at respective institutions.

Significant 1890 Accomplishments

PARTNERSHIPS

1890

Community Organizations

National and Local Community Engagement

Piloted at the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions in 2007. The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student

Diversity Program is designed to expose undergraduate and graduate students to contemporary agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and agricultural policy in today's real world environment.

Participants come from Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources institutions.

USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) partners with various universities and colleges to deliver the AgDiscovery program at locations throughout the country.

Focuses have included plant health, entomology, veterinary science, animal care, biotechnology, and agribusiness.

Students gain a first-hand look at the many career paths open to

them in the agricultural sciences.

In 2012:o 17 universities hosted AgDiscovery Programs.o 11 AgDiscovery Programs were hosted on 1890 campuses.

USDA’s AgDiscovery Program

Dr. Gregory Parham◦ Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration

Carolyn Parker,◦ Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Dexter Pearson,◦ Associate Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach

Mona Adkins-Easley◦ Interim 1890 Program Director, Office of Advocacy and

Outreach

USDA Leadership

Antonio McLaren

USDA/1890 Program Liaison

Virginia State University

P.O. Box 9416

Carter G. Woodson Avenue

Owens Hall, Room 101-C

Petersburg, VA. 23806

804-524-6872 (O)

804-524-5054 (F)

antonio.mclaren@osec.usda.gov

Contact Information

To learn more about OAO, please visit:

www.outreach.usda.gov