May 17, 2022

US universities get USDA investments for agriculture projects

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently announced an investment of US$3.84 million for two new 1890 Centers of Excellence grants.

The institutions receiving the 1890 Centers of Excellence awards are Delaware State University and Tennessee State University.

Delaware State University's Center of Excellence in "Emerging Internet of Things (IOT) Technologies for Smart Agriculture" will collaborate with scientists from nine 1890 Institutions and use emerging technologies, such as robotics, drones, and sensors, to further propel agriculture through information and communication technologies in the cyber-physical cycle of farm management.

The work will promote a next generation workforce and equip small and minority farmers with needed knowledge to increase food production and profitability, and improve resiliency to climate change.

Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture will collaborate with Alabama A&M University, Southern University, Florida A&M University and Langston University to host the 1890 Center of Excellence for "Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, and the Environment (COE-NREE): A Climate Smart Approach."

The work will provide collaborative opportunities among 1890 Institutions to develop management practices that will conserve and promote natural resources, explore renewable energy sources and develop climate smart agricultural production practices to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and improve environmental quality and sustainability.

- USDA