The May 2024 Land-Grant Ledger

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! With our May 3 and May 4 commencement ceremonies, we said goodbye to many talented students, both undergraduate and graduate. And while some will continue on with us in pursuit of their master’s and doctorate degrees, others move on to the workforce or other institutions of higher education. We wish them luck in all their future endeavors. See page 5 for more on graduation.

We were thrilled to welcome to our campus scores of scientists and representatives from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service earlier this month for a meeting of the USDA-backed Climate Smart Network. Our partnership with the USDA in developing climate-smart commodities is ironclad, as evidenced by the two-day summit with featured presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and speed networking. The challenge of mitigating the climate change challenges of today and tomorrow will necessitate partnerships, and ours with the USDA will remain a key for us. You can read more about it on page 4.

We celebrated the close of the school year by supporting our wonderful student leaders who participated in MANRRS this year. Our important, dynamic chapter of MANRRS took home third place in the group’s chapter of the year award category at the organization’s national meeting in Chicago. Back on campus, we were happy to see the group round out their successful year with their annual awards gala. More information on page 6.

With the springtime planting season upon us, our Extension agents are out in full force at this time of year. See page 2 for an interesting report on Hardemon County’s CST plantings. In other counties, our Extension and 4-H agents continue the hard work in their communities to educate, guide, and provide leadership on all things agriculture.

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 Grants

Cheatham County Extension Update

Davidson County Extension Update

Hardeman County Extension Update

Rhea County Extension Update

Johnson County Extension Update

Shelby County Extension Update

TSUAg Hosts Climate Smart Network Meeting

2024 TSUAg Graduates

TSUAg MANRRS Gala

2024 TSUAg Graduates (page 5)

TSUAg Research Faculty Members Net

Five USDA NIFA Grants

A handful of research scientists at the Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) recently learned that they had successfully secured grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), as part of its recent $30.8 million investment into all 19 of the country’s 1890 historically Black land-grant universities. TSUAg faculty members Drs. Ying Wu, Pramir Maharjan, Anjin Chang, Resham Thapa, and Yujuan Chen all secured grants as part of the funding. Each of the five grant awards fund the respective research projects for approximately three years, with grant funding kicking in this spring and running until various times in 2027. The grant awards range from $449,000 to $600,000 and will fund projects on topics such as nitrogen management in cover crops, climate-resilient urban forests, drinking water sanitation management on poultry farms, artificial intelligence and image-based phenotyping and the impact of dietary fiber on gut microbiota.

Extension

Cheatham County 4-H Youth Leadership Team Visits State Capitol

Students enrolled in the Cheatham County 4-H Youth Leadership program received a guided tour of the State Capitol Building earlier this month, where they learned about Tennessee’s history and many of the historical leaders that helped shape the Volunteer State. Students also were able to meet our state senator, representative, an officer in the Capitol Protection Unit, and other leaders that serve Tennessee. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also spoke with our group briefly before taking a photo with everyone. Students then had lunch at the historic Hermitage Hotel before returning home.

Students enrolled in the Cheatham County 4-H Youth Leadership program met Gov. Bill Lee and their representatives earlier this month as part of a guided tour of the State Capitol Building the group received.

Dr. Anjin Chang, here with his drone, was one of five TSUAg research faculty members to secure funding from USDA NIFA as part of their recent push to support 1890 Land-grant schools.

Davidson County 4-H Takes Part in Regional Project Achievement Night

After qualifying at the Davidson County Demonstration (4th and 5th grade) and Interactive Exhibit (6th - 8th grade) contests last month, 23 youth from Davidson County 4-H participating in the demonstration program went on to compete at the Area 1 Project Achievement Night on May 2nd. Demonstrations are a form of public speaking where the youth have to teach the audience a skill that they know in one of the 29 4-H project categories. Davidson County winners included Olivia Allen, 4th Place in Food Science, Wendell Karns, 3rd Place in Electric, Lee Tureau, 3rd Place in Engineering/Safety Science, Roy Kee, 3rd Place in Creative Arts and Design, Jude Lavella, 1st Place in Creative Arts and Design, Sophia Pratt, 2nd Place in Horticulture/Garden, Carter King, 1st Place in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, Melanie Sutherland, 2nd Place in Performing Arts, Morgan Humke, 2nd Place in Personal Development, and Sophia Soca-Perez, 1st Place in Clothing and Textiles.

Hardeman County Commencing County Standardized Trials

With this year’s planting season in full swing the Hardeman County Extension Office recently commenced its annual County Standardized Trials (CST) plantings for the year. In the effort, Hardeman County Extension Agent Clint Plunk and Extension office colleagues work with local grain and cotton producers to plant CST seeds. The plantings serve as a strip trial to test yield on different seed varieties of each major commodity crop. This year in Hardeman County Plunk and the office will run three corn tests on two locations, two soybean tests on two locations , and one cotton test. The Hardeman County Extension Office works with local farmers to plant the CST seeds on their ground, using their equipment, and management style throughout the growing season. At harvest, they will take the weight, and moisture content of the grain, and use that information to give a yield for each variety of seed planted. With cotton, they will take the weight of each variety harvested, and take a sample to be ginned at the University of Tennessee MicroGin at the West TN Research and Education Center. This data is then published and helps producers across the state make educated decisions for what variety of seed to plant on their ground. Great work Clint!

Wendell Karns (left) competed in the Electric Project and gave a demonstration on testing batteries at the Area 1 Project Achievement Night earlier this month. Robert Lee (right) competed in the Engineering / Safety Science project and gave a demonstration on how to fix a flat bike tire.

The Hardeman County Extension Office works with local farmers to plant the CST seeds on their ground, using their equipment (an example of which is seen here), and management style throughout the growing season.

Rhea County Archers Compete in States

The Rhea County Archery Team showcased their skills at the State Archery Jamboree held at the Hyder-Burkes Agriculture Pavilion in Cookeville, TN, from April 19th to April 20th. Participating in both compound and Genesis classes, 4-H members showcased the proficiency gained through their archery training this season. Aaden Baker secured the 14th spot in the compound hunter category within the senior division, while Jacob Malloy claimed the 11th position in the junior high division. Henley Sherrill’s efforts earned a commendable 9th place in the junior division. In the Genesis category, Meredith Goggans clinched the 10th position in the senior high division. These young athletes have honed their archery techniques and essential life skills such as time management, decision-making, self-discipline, and sportsmanship.

Spring Success in Johnson County

Eight 4-H youth represented Johnson County 4-H at the Eastern Region Horse Judging Contest in Harriman, TN in early April. Julia Crews, Emma Lipham, Meleah Johnson, Trinity Johnson and Ariel Tester competed in the senior division while Jojo Aldridge, Eli Hammons and Colton Osborne competed in the junior high division. On the senior high team, Julia Crews, Meleah Johnson, Trinity Johnson and Ariel Tester earned top honors as the first place senior high team in the Eastern Region. Team members Trinity Johnson and Julia Crews also earned individual recognition with Trinity being first place individual and second place for reasons, while Julia earned eighth high individual and third place for reasons. This win qualifies the senior high team to compete in the Tennessee State Horse Judging Contest in June. A huge thank you to coach Sirrena Wiggins for her time and dedication to helping these youth learn life skills while earning achievements along the way.

The Rhea County Archery Team competed at the State Archery Jamboree held at the Hyder-Burkes Agriculture Pavilion in Cookeville, TN, from April 19th to April 20th.

The members of the Johnson County 4-H at the Eastern Region Horse Judging Contest in Harriman, TN in early April.

Shelby County Extension Wraps Nutrition Courses

Shelby County Extension Agent Jasmen Richmond recently wrapped up a pair of nutrition courses, one at the Latham Terrace senior living facility, and another at Memphis non-profit Heal 901. Heal 901 is an organization focusing heavily on violence prevention, especially within youth populations, and they strive to empower and support youth in reaching their full potential by focusing on violence prevention and skill building. “This particular partnership has helped me to better understand the gaps between nutritional empowerment, food literacy, and food security in low-income communities around Memphis,” said Richmond. “I am happy that I had the opportunity to community build with this organization, provide educational handouts, and to present a hands-on cooking demo to better improve participants health outcomes/understanding. I was reminded that nutrition education is a powerful tool that can promote health equity, empowerment, and resiliency in our communities.” Nice work Jasmen!

Academics

TSUAg Hosts USDA-NRCS for Partnerships for Climate-Smart Network Meeting

At the beginning of May, TSUAg welcomed over 100 participants to the Barn on the College of Agriculture campus for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Network meeting featuring representatives from the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Developing climate-smart commodities necessitates strong partnerships, and as evidenced by the presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and speed networking that took place as part of this meeting, TSUAg appreciates our partnership with the USDA. The two-day summit brought together scores of USDA scientists with their TSUAg counterparts for a productive series of discussions on the key issue facing the interconnected world of agriculture going forward, that of augmenting climate change.

Graduates from Extension Agent Jasmen Richmond’s nutrition education class from the Latham Terrace senior living facilty in Shelby County pose with their certificates.

TSUAg Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy welcomed scores of USDA-NRCS scientists to campus at the beginning of May for a Partnerships for Climate-Smart Network meeting.

Take a Bow Graduates!

The College of Agriculture graduated scores of undergraduate and graduate students during the TSU convocation ceremony held on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. TSUAg is sad to see these graduates matriculate out of the program, but thrilled to see them going on to do bigger and better things in academics and as professionals. A number of undergraduate students are considering graduate schools, others are weighing their career options, and still others have already locked down their future employment and are hitting the big time. We’re so proud of each and every graduating student, as each of them has done us all Tiger proud!

TSUAg graduated dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at the May 3 TSU commencement ceremony. A few of those students are pictured here on the eve of graduation.

Students and faculty members from TSUAg’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering join Dr. Reddy and a pair of graduate students prior to the May 3 TSU Graduate Ceremony.

TSUAg MANRRS Chapter Wraps Year with Gala

On the backs of their strong showing at the MANRRS 38 national conference, the TSUAg MANRRS chapter earlier this month celebrated their year with their chapter’s annual awards gala. The event, held at the the Pavilion on the TSUAg farm campus, featured awards, commendations, lots of laughs and a pair of keynote speakers, Jahnari Edwards from USDA NRCS and former TSUAg student Kourtney Daniels of Cargill! The prominent student-led organization gave out its own awards and nominated it’s next group of leaders at the event, attended by dozens of students, faculty members, and supporters.

The TSUAg chapter of MANRRS brought their year to a close with their annual gala during which they honored some of their outstanding members and faculty supporters over the year.

Editor/Writer: Charles Morrison

Graphic Designer: Christina Jacob

Phone/Fax: 615-963-7561

Website: www.tnstate.edu/ agriculture

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