The Land-Grant Ledger: May 2022

MAY 2022 | ISSUE NO. 8

THE LAND-GRANT LEDGER

Dean's Message

TSUAg leadership with Tennessee Department of Agriculture visitors

Dear stakeholders and supporters of TSU’s Land-Grant Programs, We celebrated Earth Day with a tree tour educating participants about the plants around them. The College has been innovating in transforming traditional heavy input-based agriculture to environmentally efficient and sustainable agriculture and production practices. To facilitate this transformation, we have changed a few years ago the name of the Department of Agricultural

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Dean's Message Making Memories in the Mud A Flavorful Competition Extension Hosts International Delegation TSU Extension Colleagues Awarded Environmental Stewardship at Earth Day TSUAg Recruitment at Spring Preview Day Thriving Community Internships TSUAg Hosts TN Department of Agriculture

Sciences to Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, began a new undergraduate concentration in Environmental Sciences, and added a MS degree in Environmental Sciences.

Environmental Sciences is also a big part of the newly approved PhD program in Agricultural Sciences. We strongly believe in saving the mother Earth! We are always exploring ways to improve our partnerships and collaborations with local and international entities. We hosted a team of specialists from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to enhance the partnership between the two organizations. We identified ways we could work together and serve Tennesseans better. We also hosted a delegation of US Heartland China Association and shared how the US university-based extension system efficiently and effectively transfers modern technologies to the public. Chinese government is exploring ways to improve their extension system and participants were impressed with our method of technology transfer from campus laboratories to the public.

Chandra Reddy, Dean, Director of Research, and Administrator of Extension

EXTENSION

Making Memories in the Mud

By Janiece M. Pigg During the Week of the Young Child, Tennessee State University (TSU) Extension, in collaboration with TSU Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), hosted the first annual Mud Day at the TSUAg Early Learning Center playground. Extension associate professor, Dr. Beatrice Harris and Human Sciences professor, Dr.

Father and daughter enjoying Mud Day

Margaret Machara, designed the event to engage children and parents with the benefits, learning opportunities, and fun activities the mud provides for the whole family.

A Flavorful Competition

By Danielle Pleasant

4-H youth serving chili

Johnson County 4-H Club hosted the annual 4-H Chili CookOff at Roan Creek Elementary. Youth cooked their favorite homestyle, unique or spicy chili and served it to the audience and judges. The first-place winners included, Kiley Reece and Noah Reece in the home-style category, Dylan Blevins and Maddie Colson, in the spiciest category and Zoey Infinger, in the most unique category. The winner of People’s Choice was Allie Mullins and Kearstan Jennings.

Morgan Short, a new 4-H agent in Johnson County, commented, “it is wonderful to see the community support youth and the 4-H program.”

TSU Extension Hosts International Delegation

By Janiece M. Pigg The United States Heartland China Association, a nonprofit organization devoted to building greater connections between the middle United States region and the People’s Republic of China, visited Dr. Latif Lighari and US Heartland China delegation Tennessee State University (TSU) to learn more about TSU Extension programming. The delegation spoke with Extension leadership, individual program leaders, and specialists about the vast impact of Extension across Tennessee.

EXTENSION & RESEARCH

TSU Extension Colleagues Awarded

By Janiece M. Pigg Two Tennessee State University (TSU) Extension colleagues won prestigious awards from the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists (TAAA&S).

Each award is selected through a rigorous peer nomination and voting process.

Mr. Finis Stribling, director of New Farmer Academy and the Small Farms program, won the TAAA&S Central Region Agriculture Agent of the Year. Ms. Jennifer Goodrich, Morgan County agricultural agent and county director, won the TAAA&S Achievement Award and the TAAA&S Eastern Region Early Career Award.

Congratulations to our colleagues on all their hard work and accomplishments!

Mr. Finis Stribling receiving award

Ms. Jennifer Goodrich receiving award

Environmental Stewardship at Earth Day Events

By Janiece M. Pigg TSUAg celebrated Earth Day with a myriad of events including a campus tree tour and a guest organizational speaker. Ms. Meg Morgan spoke on behalf of the Root Nashville project with the Cumberland River Compact, a water conservation and cleanliness nonprofit organization. Facilitated by Dr. Jason deKoff, Dr. Yujuan Chen, and Dr. Matthew Blair, the event raised awareness, stewardship practices, and highlighted impactful research for a healthier, more sustainable environment

Dr. Matthew Blair speaking at Tree Tour

ACADEMICS

TSUAg Recruitment at Spring Preview Day

By Janiece M. Pigg The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) had the opportunity to recruit prospective students at the TSU Spring Preview Day at the Gentry Center Complex. With over 4,000 potential students in attendance, participants got the chance to discuss their educational and career goals with faculty from across the college.

Dr. LaPorchia Davis and Ms. Rita Fleming recruiting

Thriving Community Internships

By Janiece M. Pigg

Five TSUAg Dean's Scholars, Ryanna Copeland, Zhaierra Love, Emmanuel Wallace, Azia Tanks, and Kaylin Hughes, are interning with the Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation Department at the Warner Parks TSUAg Warner Park interns analyzing soil Nature Center. Throughout their internships, students have completed projects such as migratory bird research, native tree planting, educational programming, and designing a pollinator garden. Ms. Vera Roberts, director of the Warner Parks Nature Center, explained, "Interns gain real-life work experience in their chosen fields and exposure to professional opportunities. Warner Park staff have mentored young people who will be the next generation of professionals in our field, which is one of the most impactful parts of our work. We are excited to be developing a long-term relationship and partnership with TSUAg that will hopefully grow and strengthen for years to come."

TSUAg Hosts TN Department of Agriculture

By Janiece M. Pigg TSUAg hosted the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) to further collaborate in advancing agricultural producers, consumers, and stakeholders from across Tennessee. Mr. Andy Holt, director of Business Development, and a team of departmental staff discussed research, development, and partnership opportunities with leadership, faculty, and staff throughout the college and Cooperative Extension.

Dean Reddy addressing TDA

THE LAND-GRANT LEDGER

MAY 2022 | ISSUE NO. 8

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, Dr. Beatrice Harris, Dr. Margret Machara, Ms. Danielle Pleasant, Mr. Finis Stribling, Ms. Jennifer Goodrich, Dr. Jason deKoff, Dr. Yujuan Chen, Dr. Matthew Blair, Ryanna Copeland, Zhaierra Love, Emmanuel Wallace, Azia Tanks, and Kaylin Hughes, 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 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.

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