The Land-Grant Ledger: January 2022

J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | I S S U E N O . 4

Dean's Message

Dear Stakeholders and supporters of TSU’s Land-Grant Programs,

I wish you all a very Happy and Safe New Year! I am pleased to share with you the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has reaccredited Tennessee State University for the next 10 years. Continuing the saga of COVID, Omicron, the new variant of COVID 19, is spreading rapidly in the country and one million new people were infected yesterday. All expectations are that it will peak in a week and, thereafter, the rate of infections will decline. In response to this, we are adjusting our academic calendar and starting the spring semester a week later. I congratulate Mr. Finis Stribling, our newly appointed Director of New Farmer Academy and Small Farm Programs for winning the prestigious Agent of the Year Award from Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists. Besides his technical assistance to producers, Mr. Stribling has done a marvelous job with the New Farmer Academy which was started as a small program with a few participants. And now it’s attracting more than 100 participants including some out-of-state participants. In the same vein, TSU has been investing heavily in 4-H programs with the aim of educating youth in agriculture and technologies in addition to character development and citizenship education. Drones, robotics, and Virtual Reality are some of the technologies our extension faculty are exploring with youth in the state. Our programs also make every effort to bring in diverse participants into the 4-H programs.

Chandra Reddy, Dean Director of Research and Administrator of Extension

Stribling Recognized as Agent of the Year

By Janiece M. Pigg

Mr. Finis Stribling, Director of the Tennessee New Farmer Academy and Small Farm Program, won the Agent of the Year Award from the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists (TAAA&S). Mr. Stribling was nominated and voted by his peers throughout Tennessee to win this prestigious honor for his devotion, hard work, and service in Cooperative Extension.

TAAA&S is the state chapter of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. As a professional organization, TAAA&S aims to promote the agricultural interests and foster the threefold Cooperative Extension mission throughout the state of Tennessee.

Mr. Stribling, who has been affiliated with TAAA&S in various membership roles throughout his distinguished career in Extension, is deeply grateful to be chosen.

“It is a true honor to receive the 2021 Agent of the Year Award. I have been blessed to work for the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension program for 28 years. Though my position, I have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of Tennesseans across the state.” Mr. Stribling explained.

4-H Workshop Takes Flight

By Janiece M. Pigg

Dr. Tom Broyles, 4-H State Program Leader and Extension Associate Professor, conducted a Drone Education Workshop for 4-H youth in Atlanta, Georgia. Youth in 4th through 12th grade were trained about drone safety, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, flight theory, and career opportunities in agriculture and agricultural technology.

Through this workshop, youth were able to learn how to operate a drone properly, safely, and effectively. Furthermore, youth were able to test their newly augmented skills and fly drones manually.

This program was incredibly insightful, as youth have easy access to drone technologies due to their relative affordability. Dr. Broyles explained that this event has allowed TSUAg to connect with a diverse youth audience interested in agricultural production and innovative technologies. He illuminated,

This program has been utilized across the state of Tennessee and at a National 4-H event. We have had the pleasure of educating both Tennessee residents, as well as youth from several other states across the country.

Pollutant Populations in Middle Tennessee Watersheds

By Janiece M. Pigg

As environmental pollutants, such as pharmaceutical contaminants, are becoming increasingly emergent in freshwater systems across the country, TSUAg Research Professor, Dr. Sam Dennis, is investigating the levels of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Diclofenac, and cardiovascular drugs, such as Clofibric acid, Metoprolol, Atenolol, and Propranolol, in rural and urbanizing watersheds in middle Tennessee.

Dr. Dennis explained,

In recent studies, pharmaceuticals have been detected in rivers draining into rural and urbanizing watersheds in middle Tennessee. Pharmaceuticals that were detected included steroids, antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones, and over the counter drugs. It is also noteworthy that many of these chemicals are suspected to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals for the human body, as well as holding implications for potentially adverse environmental effects in freshwater systems.

Dr. Dennis’ research will address the lack of knowledge surrounding proper disposal of human pharmaceuticals in Tennessee, which has been empirically found to have a considerably larger impact on underrepresented and minority populations.

“Tremendous efforts are needed to improve environmental stewardship among those underrepresented populations that might be affected by poverty, illiteracy, and other environmental factors. As a result, the impact of this project will go beyond detection of pharmaceuticals in water, to enhancing public health efficacy and educating the public on proper disposal of unused and expired pharmaceuticals. The expected impact of the project will also include the increased use of educational publications, tools, and resources to minimize environmental pollution, ” explained Dr. Dennis.

TSUAg Showcase at Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention

By Janiece M. Pigg

Mr. Everett Jolley, Director for Recruitment, and Coach Rod Reed, Director of Marketing and Communications, attended the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) Annual Convention in Franklin, Tennessee this month. At this centennial celebration of TFBF, Mr. Jolley and Coach Reed showcased the vast opportunities for students and stakeholders, alike, in the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University (TSUAg).

Throughout the duration of the four-day convention, Mr. Jolley connected with prospective undergraduate and graduate students to illuminate the educational curricula and career opportunities available through TSUAg. Coach Reed was dedicated to mingling with industry, corporate, educational, and nonprofit organizations to foster further industry involvement in TSUAg’s educational and stakeholder developments.

Coach Reed explained,

Events, such as the Tennessee Farm Bureau Convention, allow us, as an organization, to demonstrate the possibilities in College of Agriculture that allow students and stakeholders to prosper.

For more information on TSUAg's student recruitment efforts, please contact Mr. Everett Jolley at evjolley@tnstate.edu.

For more information on TSUAg's partnership, donor, and stakeholder relations, please contact Coach Rod Reed at rreed2@tnstate.edu.

Dean’s List Honors Outstanding Students

By Janiece M. Pigg

Each semester, students from across the College of Agriculture are selected for the Dean’s List honor. The Dean’s List is a catalogue of the students in the College of Agriculture with a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA).

In the Department of Agricultural Sciences, led by Department Head, Dr. Samual Nahashon, Dean’s List scholars include Deja Adams, Jonathan Alford, Niarra Anthony, Khalia Armstead, Myles Bolton, Diego Britt-Alvarez, Trinity Brown, Janai Bryant, Gabrielle Cameron, Lyric Carter, Martina Coe, Cherish Coleman, Kennedy Cooper, Austin Cruse, Mallory Douglas, Jahnari Edwards, Chervenia Fields, Ashlynn Freeman, Sofia Garcia, Trinity Gourdin, Skye Green, Zoe Grosskreutz, Jaden Hall, Aayliah Hampton, Alaizia Hayes, Baron Hill, Jade Holmes Chalesia Honer, Kerrington Howard, Kaylin Hughes Jourdon Huntley, Genoa James, Gabrielle Johnson, Desirai Jones, Lauryn Jones, Macarius Jones, John King, Rachel Lawson, Amari LeFlore, Savannah Lewis, Aidan Lewis-Dunn, LeAnn Lopez, Zhaierra Love, Joy Lowe, Logan May, Andrew McClarty, Aria McElroy, Tanya McNeal, Ashely Mitchell, Nakira Morris, Nyla Neal, Jazmine Norwood, Janani Oates, Alanis Onwu, Angel Pantoja, Stinson Parks, Tiffani Patterson, Christian Payne, Chelsea Randle, Dacia Ringo, Ryan Rucker, Aspen Sanders, Jonathan Simmons, Laila Spencer, Gavin Spicer, Anyia Stanton, Meyah Stephenson, Bronwen Swann, Azia Tanks, Colby Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Janae Terrell, Kaylee Thompson, Ayanna Tucker, Terrell Turner, Jewell Vickers, Rodney Vines, Naomi Von Bose, Justin Walker, Danielle Western, Amari White, Deion Williams, Sydni Williams, Shaun Wimberly, Cierra Woods, Blake Wright, and Gerriah Young.

In the Department of Human Sciences, led by Department Head, Dr. Veronica Oates, Dean's List scholars include Zoe Aguilera, Miracle Alford, Auriel Amos, Hala Baabdullah, Karalynn Barnett, Tori Boggs, Jessica Bolden, April Chukwu, Tymerria Duncan, Kadence Ewing, Jamya Fanney, Destinee Garrison, Amahria Hall, Alexis Harrod, Kailyn Hart, Nikiyah Harvey, La'Dejah Jackson, Tayah Jones, Sharyce Joy, Jalynn Keith, Jacquinta Kyles, Chanteneigha Lawson, Jailyn Lee-Moore, Dionee Mcfarland, Emery Minor, Bernard Nichols, Mariah Nicholson, Essence Rose, Dewayne Rosse, Robyn Smith, Tiara Taylor, Trinidee Thomas, Kinley Troutt, Taylin Watkins, Jewel White, Jada Wilder, Anarra Williams, Faith Willis, Michael Wilson, and Jayla Woods.

Thanks for tuning in this month

A special thank you to all of our partnering individuals, organizations, sponsors, and stakeholders for your continued support of our land-grant mission. As an institution, we thrive on the innovative partnerships that continue to foster the development, education, and success of all Tennesseans.

Thank you most especially to our featured colleagues and students, Mr. Finis Stribling, Dr. Tom Broyles, Dr. Samual Dennis, Mr. Everett Jolley, Coach Rod Reed, and the Dean's List scholars, for their outstanding work to further our land-grant mission of education, research, and outreach. Without such amazing staff, faculty, and students, the College of Agriculture would not be able to foster active innovation through instruction, research, and public service.

We would also like to thank all of our cooperating organizations that are a vital part of the success of the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University. Thank you to the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and all of the countless international, national, and local sponsors that allow our programs to flourish throughout the state of Tennessee.

To lean more about the TSU College of Agriculture, visit our website by clicking or scanning the QR code.

Connect with us online.

TSU-22-035(A)-12a-81320 – Tennessee State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Tennessee State University. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Office of Equity and Inclusion, 3500 John Merritt Blvd., General Services Building, Second Floor, Nashville, TN 37209, 615-9637435. The Tennessee State University policy on nondiscrimination can be found at www.tnstate.edu/nondiscrimination