Approximately 19% of Mississippi residents grapple with food insecurity and accessing fresh produce. Alcorn State University is addressing food insecurity through community and container gardening workshops that increase garden productivity and reduce costs. To promote successful practices, the Extension program, in collaboration with government agencies, universities and nonprofit organizations, organized workshops with comprehensive instruction. More than 98% of participants incorporated new varieties, 91% adjusted their gardening methods, and 98% reported increased garden productivity. By achieving higher yields, these households collectively could save millions of dollars on their food expenses.

The university also emphasizes fitness and nutrition and promotes health education through programs such as National Walking Day.

Central State University (CSU) Extension is increasing food security across Ohio. Agriculture and natural resources experts teach people how to farm. Also, community and economic development agents demonstrate proper business practices to citizens, and family and consumer sciences professionals conduct healthy lifestyle workshops.

CSU Extension’s Growing Communities program built an infrastructure of new farmers by creating urban incubator farms. To improve soil health and water quality through implementation of agricultural best management practices, CSU connected with several regional partners to identify targeted locations for implementation.

CSU’s David Scott Scholarships have significantly improved student success by lowering the cost of education, helping to produce the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Delaware State University (DSU) is committed to agricultural and forestry Extension activities aligned with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s strategic plan. DSU Cooperative Extension is equipping the next generation workforce with knowledge and expertise to support the Cooperative Extension System. Its hallmark initiatives include the creation of career pathways for veterans in agriculture.

Another initiative is the application of technology, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing and Internet of Things, for farming and farm management, natural resources conservation and food deserts.

Delaware Cooperative Extension conducts research-based educational programs promoting healthy lifestyles, family economic stability, youth development and leadership.

Florida A&M University (FAMU)’s Forestry and Conservation Education (FACE) Program has provided opportunities since 1998 for youths and adults to explore forestry, natural resources, environment, agriculture and related careers. The program expanded to year-round natural resources conservation and environmental stewardship education, delivering programming that promotes environmental understanding and literacy.

It engages students in hands-on, experience-based learning in forestry, natural resources and environmental education through classroom enrichment, field days, after-school programs and summer camps. It also offers professional development opportunities for in-service and pre-service teachers.

Fort Valley State University (FVSU)’s College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology provides solid career foundations in agricultural sciences, engineering technology, family and consumer sciences, veterinary science, and public health.

Through the Agricultural Research Station and Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center, scientists engage in areas that generate new knowledge and technology to enhance the agricultural industry and Georgia residents’ quality of life.

FVSU also serves as the lead institution for the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control, an international research group dedicated to finding natural methods of controlling disease in animals such as sheep and goats.

The Cooperative Extension Program provides educational services that offer practical, solution-oriented learning opportunities in agricultural and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community resource development and 4-H youth development.

FVSU provides students with a gateway to Georgia’s multibillion-dollar agricultural industry.

Kentucky State University (KSU), in partnership with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, co-hosts AgDiscovery, which provides high school students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience in animal science and veterinary medicine.

KSU offers water quality testing to help small farmers ensure their products are safe. KSU has now established or is in the process of establishing water quality testing labs across the state.

KSU also researches tilapia production to help small farmers and improve nutrition. This project is focused on strengthening farmers, businesses and other stakeholders and impacting healthier living.

Langston University helps small farmers with developing efficient and sustainable goat and sheep enterprises.  

The university provides innovative tools like the Langston Interactive Nutrient Calculation (LINC) system for profitable small-animal farming. LINC enables producers to accurately predict the nutritional requirements of different breeds and classes of goats, linking it with production level and type to help make operations cost-effective. 

Langston also offers experiential learning opportunities in agriculture through study-abroad international programs. 

Lincoln University conducts impactful research focused on animal science, plant science, food safety, and natural resources. This includes efforts on resilient agriculture systems with an emphasis on sheep/goat breeding as well as other areas.

The Innovative Small Farmers’ Outreach Program provides training to farmers to help increase their income and implement good agricultural practices.

North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T)’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences provides several program options and specialization in areas of the food, agricultural, family, and environmental sciences.

NC A&T enhances agricultural literacy and career readiness through its Winter Agricultural Literacy Fest, which connects secondary school students to agricultural degree programs. The 4-H Tech Changemakers program bridges the digital divide in underserved areas using the talents of youth in the community.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) fosters academic excellence and enhanced economic opportunities through research, education and service in agriculture, food, and natural resources.  

PVAMU researchers use goats, cattle, and poultry to conduct original studies in ruminant nutrition, reproductive biology, growth and development, functional genomics, and meat science. Their work enhanced livestock production systems. Poultry research led to an eco-friendly and sustainable system for production of broilers with quality meat. 

Cooperative Extension’s Heroes 4-Health program addresses the obesity crisis by empowering youths to teach their peers and community healthy living practices. 

To provide lifelong learning opportunities, South Carolina State University (SCSU)’s 1890 Research and Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program incorporated reading into their science, technology, reading, engineering, art/agriculture, and mathematics (STREAM).

SCSU’s research team benefits local farmers by conducting training on artificial intelligence (AI) and drones. The producers gained knowledge on the application of advanced technology in farming through hands-on application.

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SU Ag Center) is growing the next generation of agriculture professionals through “Grow jAGs”, which addresses the recruitment and retention of food and agricultural sciences students using the science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics principles.

SU Ag Center also works to build capacity in viticulture and increase grape production in Louisiana.

Tennessee State University (TSU) scientists are using mutation breeding techniques to improve the oil and nutritional content of soybeans. TSU provided more than 250 farmers with hands-on training to increase their knowledge, awareness, and interest in using drones in agriculture.

A TSU and Vanderbilt University partnership, Earth Horizons, is creating a pathway to broaden participation of students in graduate school and build the geoscience workforce.

Tuskegee University’s Future Farmers and Agricultural Specialist (2FAS) program engaged more than 200 high school and college students in the past 10 years in three apprenticeship and training programs: Summer Agents; Carver Integrative Sustainability Center Summer Experience; and the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Intern Program. Students worked alongside local farmers, Extension agents, agribusiness entrepreneurs, rural policy experts, and natural resource professionals. They also worked with farmers markets while learning small-scale farming techniques and best practices.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) researchers are studying the potential of converting plant and animal byproducts to multifunctional biochar (charcoal made from biomass). The application of biochar presents a cost-effective solution for farmers dealing with contaminated farmland. By making their land more productive using these soil additives, they can increase their crop yields and profit.

UAPB is a co-recipient of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen) grant. The goal is to build and sustain a next generation workforce.

The Delmarva Peninsula (comprised of the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, and part of Delaware) is noted for poultry, fresh produce and seafood. Since 2002, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has conducted research on these foods, which has led to safer food products. UMES’ research program is cutting-edge, timely and relevant nationally and internationally.

Smallholders farmers need financial, technical and managerial support to improve their decision-making capabilities, mitigate risk, and engage in data-driven farm planning and budgeting to build capacity. To address these concerns, UMES Extension focused on small farm programs, urban and alternative agriculture, and specialty vegetables production. Through hands-on training and other opportunities, 1,187 producers and 147 professionals gained knowledge and skills on small farm improvement, and 378,500 pounds of fresh food was produced.

The National Urban Agriculture Initiative, spearheaded by Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Small Farm Outreach Program within the Virginia State University (VSU) College of Agriculture, serves as a powerful response to the pressing challenge of food insecurity. By bridging the gap between urban farmers and USDA’s Farm Service Agency, this initiative directly addresses the needs of communities grappling with limited food access.

VSU’s MT Carter Annex expands research capabilities essential for driving innovation and collaboration in critical fields such as food science, environmental and plant science, animal science, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.

West Virginia State University (WVSU) researchers studied watermelon and its effects on kidney cancer cells. Watermelon rinds contain natural compounds, such as an amino acid called citrulline, that have health benefits. When tested on cancer cells, the rind reduced their growth. This reduction occurs because the rind makes the cancer cells self-destruct. Detailed tests suggested that watermelon rinds might trigger this process. This potential breakthrough not only benefits the residents of West Virginia but people around the nation and world.

WVSU partnered with Toyota Motor Manufacturing to offer a STEM Career Series program called Yellow Jacket Innovators. This program introduces middle and elementary school youths to STEM activity kits designed to enhance creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 100% of participating teachers reported that the boxes helped build their knowledge and engage students’ interest in STEM careers.