1890 Land-Grant Partnership to Enhance Food/Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity, and Economic Sustainability
The 1890 Center of Excellence for Food/Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity, and Economic Sustainability supports 1890 Land-grant Institutions in their efforts to increase profitability and rural prosperity in underserved farming communities. These efforts address critical needs for enhanced training and development. This webinar will discuss activities related to food and farming systems, rural development, and economic sustainability led by these centers, highlighting their significant impact on rural communities.
Raymon Shange - Center for Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity, and Environmental Sustainability
Raymon Shange, Director of the Center for Farming and Food Systems at Tuskegee University, opened the webinar by discussing the organizational structure and mission of the center. Established under the 2018 Farm Bill, the center is one of six 1890s institutions focused on agricultural sustainability and rural development. Shange highlighted the participation of all 19 institutions and introduced the five primary thrust areas: farm commodities, ranch commodities, forest commodities, value-added systems and technology, and integrated environmental and economic impact. He emphasized the center’s commitment to adaptive research, cooperative extension programming, educational opportunities, public-private collaboration, and economic sustainability for rural communities.
Shange elaborated on how these initiatives support farmers by providing enhanced access to capital, technological innovations, and workforce training. He also underscored the importance of partnerships with organizations like the USDA and private sector entities to create market opportunities. By integrating broadband internet access and entrepreneurial support into rural agricultural programs, the center is working to improve rural prosperity and economic sustainability. His introduction set the stage for the subsequent presentations, which delved deeper into specific thrust areas and their impact.
Nadine Jackson - Center for Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity, and Environmental Sustainability
Nadine Jackson, a co-PI for Thrust Area Five, discussed her team’s efforts in supporting small farmers, ranchers, and landowners through education and training. The thrust, which includes institutions such as North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, Southern University, Virginia State, and West Virginia State, provides cross-institutional workshops, demonstrations, and field training. In the past year, they have conducted over 200 educational sessions on topics ranging from hydroponics and landscape design to financial literacy, grant writing, and sensor technology. These efforts aim to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to improve farm operations and make informed decisions.
Jackson also highlighted the team’s collaborative approach, which includes monthly meetings, field visits, and a shared online resource hub. This hub facilitates event coordination and enables universities to share best practices, research findings, and training opportunities. She encouraged participants to explore the resources available on the Virginia State University Small Farm Center’s website, which houses virtual tours and historical insights into the 1890 Land-Grant initiatives. By fostering knowledge exchange and networking among institutions, Thrust Area Five is strengthening agricultural education and outreach across multiple states.
Clarissa Harris – Workforce Development in Meat and Poultry Processing
Clarissa Harris from Tuskegee University presented on workforce development in poultry processing, emphasizing its importance in rural communities. She highlighted that approximately 30% of jobs in the food manufacturing industry are in meat and poultry processing, underscoring the need for training and workforce expansion in this field. Harris discussed ongoing efforts to create a collaborative model for workforce training that meets the demands of the poultry industry while addressing challenges faced by small-scale meat producers. By working within the 1890 community, her team is developing training programs that enhance recruitment, retention, and career readiness for individuals seeking employment in the sector.
Harris also addressed economic challenges in rural communities, particularly in Alabama’s Black Belt region, where food deserts and limited meat processing infrastructure create barriers for local producers. She discussed efforts to expand local processing facilities, promote sustainable and ethical meat production, and reduce dependence on distant processors. Noting the long wait times for processing livestock—ranging from six to eighteen months—she emphasized the urgency of developing local solutions. Through targeted training programs and infrastructure investments, Harris’s team aims to create resilient agricultural economies that support small-scale farmers and bolster rural job markets.
This program is supported in part by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Those who register but cannot attend our webinar can always view a recording of it later at the council’s YouTube channel.