The Land-Grant Ledger
Tennessee State University College of Agriculture
Dean’s Message:
Dear friends and supporters,
Greetings from the Tennessee State University College of Agriculture! You might think summer is a slow time at the College of Agriculture, but even with most of the students gone for the summer, things are still moving quickly here on campus.
Speaking of the students, we were thrilled to learn that more than 50 undergraduate students from the College of Agriculture are undertaking summer internships in 2024. We push our students to pursue internships to build off what they’re learning here at TSU and make it easier for them to present themselves to potential employers with their real-world experience under their belts. Hats off to all you enterprising undergraduates!
As we move through the summer, we’re happy to see our many Extension Agents and Offices hosting so many 4-H youth events, most notably summer camps across Tennessee. Great job to all the TSU Extension personnel, we’re proud of the work you all are doing!
Summer brings with it a host of TSUAg-led study abroad programs as well. Students from the College are currently enrolled in study abroad programs here in the U.S. and around the globe, literally. You can read about a few of those stories in this issue of the Land-Grant Ledger, including one about a pair of graduate students doing hard science under Dr. Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge and Sam Nahashon in the country of Kenya.
In other news, we cheer on the efforts of TSUAg faculty member Dr. Jason de Koff, who earlier this month was named as the recipient of the American Society of Agronomy’s national 2024 Agronomic Education and Extension Award. Congratulations Jason, the honor is well-deserved.
Enjoy this issue of the Land-Grant Ledger! We’ll see you next month!
Sincerely,
Dean Chandra Reddy
Inside this Issue:
Dean’s Message
USDA NIFA Grant
Montgomery County Extension Update
Cannon County Extension Update
Johnson County Extension Update
Cheatham County Extension Update
Shelby County Extension Update
Lauderdale County Extension Update
Organic Agriculture Conference in Memphis
NextGen Student Summit
Grad Students in Kenya
Summer Internships
De Koff Wins National Extension Award
TSUAg Paves Path to Organic Transition (page 5)
USDA NIFA Awards Grant to TSUAg’s Thapa
TSUAg Assistant Research Professor in Climate Smart Agronomy Dr. Reshem Thapa recently netted a piece of a $7.9 USDA NIFA investment in soil health, securing a grant to pursue research. Dr. Thapa will receive just under $300,000 for his research project, titled “Mechanisms and drivers of soil organic carbon storage and nitrogen recycling within climate-smart agricultural systems.” Dr. Thapa was one of a dozen projects awarded funds as part of the investment, which was initiated to “support research projects that will contribute to foundational and applied research to advance scientific understanding of soil physical and biogeochemical processes and interactions; and the development of models, decision support tools and new management/conservation practices.”
Montgomery County Hosts Wheat Event with Kleeman 4-H Community Garden
The UT/TSU Montgomery County Extension Office hosted a wheat-focused learning event on June 6 with community partner the Kleeman 4-H Community Garden. The event is part of a summer series the Extension Office is putting on in 2024 at Kleeman, and their June 6 session was all about wheat, flour, and how it is produced. Students and adults both learned about wheat harvesting, threshing, and grinding the old-fashioned way at the well-attended event. Event attendees harvested the wheat heads, put them in pillowcases, and “threshed” them by beating them against the wall. They then poured that threshed wheat into trays and separated the chaffe from the seed and tried grinding with the mortar and pestle, rock and shell, rock on rock, and then through a battery-operated grinder. “The youth who participated enjoyed the interaction and how much work went into making flour,” said UT/TSU Montgomery County Extension Agent Karla Gargus.
The UT/TSU Montgomery County Extension Office hosted a wheat-focused learning event earlier this month with partner the Kleeman 4-H Community Garden
TSUAg Assistant Research Professor in Climate Smart Agronomy Dr. Reshem Thapa recently netted a piece of a $7.9 USDA NIFA investment in soil health, securing a grant to pursue research.
Camp Kicks Off in Cannon County
On Friday, June 7 the UT/TSU Cannon County Extension Office hosted the first summer day camp of the year. The event, the Cannon County Art Extravaganza, allowed student to express and bring out their artistic flair. They started the day with the choice between painting an octopus or a sea turtle, most of the day was spent going back and forth to their canvas in an effort to deliver a phenomenal end product. Between drying layers, they played some “Would You Rather” beachball games and did a directed drawing of an island sun using crayons and watercolors. Thrown in, Cannon County Extension Agent Jaclyn Hare-Smith led the pizza party and ocean-themed dessert that followed. “A great time was had by all,” said Hare-Smith. “They were so proud of their artwork.” Well done, Jaclyn!
33 Johnson County 4-H Members Attend Junior 4-H Camp
Through the Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee Extension programs, Tennessee 4-H summer camps offer youth unique experiences while helping them learn independence and life-long skills. Thirty-three Johnson County 4-H members attended Junior 4-H Camp May 27-31 where they met 4-H youth from across East Tennessee and enjoyed a week of fun and new experiences at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center. Throughout the week youth enjoyed swimming, fishing, and canoeing, as well as visiting the fossil room, building in the woodworking shop, crafting and many more camp activities. During the week youth also enjoyed learning about wetland ecosystems from Dr. Andrea Ludwig of the UTIA Biosystems Engineering Department. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency taught participants about native wildlife and bear safety. Youth also enjoyed building a brick wall with Dustin Love of the Masonry I nstitute and participating in a flag retirement ceremony led by Veterans of Foreign Wars post 1990 of Greeneville, TN.
Cannon County Extension Office summer day campers (From front to back, left to right) Ella Bailey, Raivah Reedy, Isabella Harris, 4-H Agent Jaclyn Hare-Smith, Kinley Fisher, Walker Bryson, Isabella Sevier, Eloise Dowdell, Administrative Assistant Holly Fisher, and FCS Agent Kristen Jones participated in an art extravaganza day camp on June 7.
A group of thirty-three Johnson County Extension 4-H members attended the Junior 4-H summer camp from May 27-31.
New County Director Leads Busy 4-H Camp Calendar in Cheatham County
Congratulations to new UT/TSU Cheatham County Extension Director Sierra Knauss, who recently took over the position leading the Extension Office following the retirement of longtime Cheath am County Director Ronnie Barron. One of Knauss’ first tasks as Director is to oversee Cheatham County 4-H members who began summer camps recently. Some attended Junior Camp in Crossville, TN, while junior campers attended the Jr. 4-H Camp at the William P. Ridley 4-H Center. Junior campers participated in dozens of different hands-on activities throughout the week. Campers learned from the infamous “crazy critter guy” about wildlife, practiced their shooting skills in the rifle range, built various hands-on crafts in the “craft cabin,” enjoyed some time on the waterslide and in the pool, learned about health and fitness from 4-H HealthRocks Leaders, went zip-lining, played games, gathered around the campfire for
Shelby County Extension Wraps Busy Month with Cooking Demo
The month of May was a busy one for Shelby County Extension Agent Jasmen Richmond, who participated in a number of healthy food-focused activities throughout Shelby County. Most notable was a cooking demonstration that came about from her connection with the Raleigh Library. The beneficiaries of the demonstration were youth from Memphis-based non-profit the Pursuit Center’s youth program, who cooked a protien rice bowl during the demonstration. The non-profit designs initiatives to empower troubled teens in the Shelby County juvenile system. They present their youth with a chance for transformation, by impacting lives one student at a time. “Some participants were apprehensive about cooking, however by the end of the class all of the young men participated and thoroughly enjoyed the cooking process!” said Richmond of the participants from the Pursuit Center.
Youth from Memphis-based non-profit the Pursuit Center participated in a cooking demonstration at the Raleigh Library in Memphis. They made a protein rice bowl.
UT/TSU Extension Holds Cut Flower Field Day in Lauderdale County
Home Horticulture Extention Agent Rachel Howell and the UT/TSU Extension were happy to conclude the successful completion of Cut Flower Field Day on Monday, June 17 at the picturesque Cold Creek Flower Farm in Lauderdale County. This educational event brought together flower enthusiasts, horticulture experts, and local farmers to explore best practices in cut flower production and f arm management. The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Amber and Mark Saldana, the proud owners of Cold Creek Flower Farm, who shared their journey and insights into running a successful flow er farm. Their hands-on experience and dedication to sustainable practices provided valuable knowledge to attendees. The Cut Flower Field Day was an enriching experience for all participants, offering a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the complexities and reward s of cut flower farming.
Academics
TSUAg Paves Path to Organic Transition
Faculty members from TSUAg were instrumental in the creation and execution of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP): Organic Agriculture Conference held from June 12 to 13 in Memphis. More than 65 participants descended upon the Christ Quest Community Church in Memphis for the two-day event, which was spearheaded by TSUAg’s Dr. Dilip Nandwani and a number of his TSUAg faculty colleagues. Dr. Nandwani has long been instrumental in the TOPP program, of which this month’s conference was but the latest chapter. Dr. Emanuel Omondi spoke on cover-crop based no-till agronomic management, Dr. Zena Clardy addressed the basics of gardening, Dr. Resham Thapa gave a talk on managing nitrogen with cover crops in organic production systems, Finis Stribling spoke on the TSU New Farmer Academy and high tunnel production, and Dr. Aditya Khanal spoke about agriculture marketing at the event.
The Lauderdale County Extension Office concluded a successful “Cut Flower Field Day” on Monday, June 17 at the beautiful Cold Creek Flower Farm.
Faculty members from TSUAg were instrumental in the creation and execution of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP): Organic Agriculture Conference recently held in Memphis.
Seven from TSUAg Attend USDA NextGen Student Summit
Last month, seven USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture “NextGen” scholars attended a week-long USDA NextGen Student Summit in Washington, DC. The NextGen program, subtitled “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals,” was created to empower and attract students to the field of Agriculture and trips like this one to our nation’s capital back that by showing students what agriculture careers can look like. This summit provided our students with an incredible opportunity to meet and engage with top USDA leaders, including Dr. Carlos Ortiz, National Program Leader at USDA, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra, among others. The group had visits to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory, and participated in a professional development communications training session led by Valerie Clark, MPA.
Grad. Students Pursue Research at ILRI in Kenya
Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture (TSUAg) graduate students Alondrah Santana and Savannah Lewis, with faculty member Dr. Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge, are currently engaged in research activities at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya. Santana and Lewis are both involved in projects on their trip. Santana’s study involves exploring the use of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics, aiming to mitigate drug-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella in Kenyan poultry farms. Lewis’ project explores farming systems and conducting impact assessments within the Policies, Institutions, and Livelihoods program. Recently, Alondrah and Savannah had the opportunity to present their work at ILRI, showcasing not only their own capabilities but also the high caliber research efforts being undertaken. This opportunity is supported by the “Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)” grant.
Seven students from TSUAg attended the week-long USDA NextGen Student Summit in Washington, D.C. last month, visiting, among other places, the Smithsonian Institution.
TSUAg graduate student Alondrah Santana has been isolating bacteria in the microbiology lab at the ILRI’s Kenya location. Santana was joined by fellow graduate student Savannah Lewis on the trip.
Scores of TSUAg Students Succeeding in Summer Internships
More than 50 students from the College of Agriculture are finding summer internship success in 2024 by pursuing a wide variety of summer internships with a bevy of public, private, and educational institutions and organizations. Students from each of the College’s five departments are taking their classroom work here on campus to a huge assortment of industries. Some are working in labs, developing their skills in new environments. Some students are walking the streets, advocating for non-profits. Other students are working at governmental agencies, gaining experience in not only governmental science but also the world of public policy and advocacy. Students are involved in internships at organizations like ADM, the York 4-H Center, the Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, just to name a few.
TSUAg’s De Koff Takes Home National
Extension Award
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) recently named TSUAg Associate Professor Dr. Jason de Koff as the winner of the national 2024 Agronomic Education and Extension Award. The award recognizes excellence in education and/or extension. In winning the award, Dr. de Koff was recognized for his unique approaches developed and used successfully to encourage learning, his ability to communicate ideas clearly, excellent peer and student evaluations, and his accomplishments. Dr. de Koff focuses on both research and Extension activities related to agriculture. As part of winning the award, Dr. de Koff will be recognized during the 2024 Annual Meeting at the Awards Luncheon on Monday, November 11 in San Antonio, Texas. The award consists of a certificate, a complimentary ticket to the award ceremony, and $2,000. Congratulations Dr. de Koff!
Rising senior Trinity Brown, an Agricultural Science major with a concentration in Food and Animal Sciences, is one of over 50 TSUAg undergrads who are currently in the throes of summer internships.
TSUAg Associate Professor Dr. Jason de Koff was recognized by the American Society of Agronomy as their recipient of the 2024 Agronomic Education and Extension Award.
Editor/Writer: Charles Morrison
Graphic Designer: Christina Jacob
Phone/Fax: 615-963-7561
Website: www.tnstate.edu/ agriculture
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