The March 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 midterm exams and spring break behind us, student and faculty life at the College has returned to normal. Classes have resumed, research continues, and the campus is abuzz with activity, just as we like it to be. In this issue of the Land-Grant Ledger, we highlight some of the exciting events and happenings taking place on campus, some of the past month’s outreach activities, and we say goodbye to an old friend.

We had a wonderful time hosting College of Ag. Week 2024 last week here on campus. Not only was this year’s Ag Week the first we’ve held since the outbreak of Covid-19, but it’s also the first time we’ve held it since we restructured our College departments. This year’s event allowed us to dedicate a day to each of our now five academic departments, which was great as we were able to put the focus on each of these groups individually. And it was a lot of fun!

This month we said goodbye to a gentleman who was a former student of mine many moons ago. Dr. Samuel Dennis spent 42 amazing years at the TSU College of Agriculture, researching, teaching, influencing his colleagues, inspiring them... We will all miss his energy, his commitment to this College, and his smile that could light up a room. Thank you, Sam!

Our extension agents continue to do fine work in the field, working in their communities to spread positive messages about healthy eating, career advancement and of course, 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

UT/TSU Plant Science Summit

Knox County Extension Update

Dekalb County Extension Update

Marion County Extension Update

Shelby County Extension Update

TSU SNAP-Ed

College of Ag Week 2024

Dr. Sam Dennis Retirement

Tennessee FFA Visits TSU 2024 Awards Luncheon

Washington D.C. Visit

2024 College of Ag Week Farm Tour (page 7)

A Cross-State Collaboration

The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) was thrilled to host our friends and colleagues from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) for the TSU - UTIA Research Summit: Strengthening Collaborative Research event last month. At the event, TSUAg and UTIA research professors alternated in presenting some of their recent research to the group in the hopes of sparking collaborative opportunities amongst the faculty members of the respective universities. The summit, built around plant science, was held this past Friday at the Barn on the Tennessee State University campus. The event followed up on the first summit, on potential food and animal science research partnerships, held last August. TSUAg is working with our UTIA colleagues to strengthen our collaborative research efforts and this year’s summit bore fruit. terms of pushing further collaboration.

Knox County Wraps Up Busy Month with Leadership Retreat

The UT/TSU Knox County Extension Office wrapped up what was a busy February with their bi-annual Knox County Master Gardeners (KCMG) Leadership Retreat, held on February 29. The retreat offers the KCMG Board of Directors, project leaders, and committee chairs the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and problem solve. Over two leaders from the KCMG program participated in the retreat. In addition the KCMG Intern Training program continues to meet weekly, with 36 students and four auditors participating. In other Knox County Extension news, on February 20, UT/TSU Knox County Extension Agent Rylan Thompson participated in the TEAM conference on agricultural education where attendees learned about a variety of urban, suburban, and rural agriculture topics. Thompson co-chaired a session on urban agriculture, particularly floricul ture, with the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Kimberly Pettigrew. The conference was attended by a total of 180 people, with approximately 35 taking part in the session chaired by Thompson and Pettigrew.

The Knox County Master Gardener Board of Directors, project leaders, and committee chairs learned about video production from TSU Online Curriculum Coordinator Jeremy Nance at the group’s February 29 Spring 2024 Leadership Retreat.

Research professors from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture joined their TSU colleagues on the TSU College of Agriculture campus last month for a joint research summit. Extension

DeKalb County 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology Team Enters First Competition

For the first time in its history, the DeKalb County 4-H Club fielded a Horse Bowl team that competed in the Central Region Horse Bowl and Hippology competition at Cumberland University last month. The threemember team studied all aspects of equine science and the equine industry in preparation for the Horse Bowl, which is a quiz bowl-style t est of equine knowledge between teams of 4-H participants. DeKalb County’s first-ever Horse Bowl team included Molly Reynolds, Lilly Dunaway, and Kayla Sebolt. In addition to the three 4-H members who competed in th e Horse Bowl, DeKalb County also fielded a contestant in the Central Region Hippology Contest. In this contest, Natalia completed two 50-qu estion tests on equine science and identification. She also judged two classe s of horses and determined a place for each class. We are enormously proud of all the demanding work these ladies have put into studying the materials for this contest. Congrats to the ladies of DeKalb County 4-H!

Marion County 4-H Hippology and Horse Bowl Teams Win Trio of State Championships

The Marion County 4-H Hippology and Horse Bowl Club had a big time at the recent Tennessee State Horse Bowl and Hippology state championships held last month in Knoxville, with the juni or high team taking home team championships in both Horse Bowl and Hippology and the senior high team winning the Hippolo gy title and taking home second in Horse Bowl. The two-time champion junior high team was made up of Briella Higdon (1st ov erall), Lucas Jordan (4th place, individual), and Landrie Churc h (6th place, individual), and Jessie Ruth Petty. The senior high team was made up of Michaella Petty (reserve high individual, overall), Isabella Petty (8th place, individual), Kasey Colvin, and Brady Higdon. With their wins, the championship teams advance on to three national contests the Southern Regionals, the Quart er Horse Congress, and finally the Eastern Nationals, all of whi ch will be held this coming fall. Hippology is the study of horses . Contestants in the hippology contests must be ready to answer questions on literally every aspect of horses and horsemanship, such as recommended fencing, the bones and muscles in the horse’s body, to judging classes at a horse show it could be anything. Horse Bowl is a fast-paced Jeopardy-style game on all things horses.

DeKalb County’s Horse Bowl Team is made up of (from left to right) Kayla Sebolt, Lilly Dunaway, and Molly Reynolds. Not pictured in the photo is DeKalb County Hippology contestant Natalia Ferrell.

The Marion County 4-H Hippology and Horse Bowl junior high team dominated at the state championships last month in Knoxville, taking home 1st place in both competitions.

The Marion County 4-H senior high Hippology and Horse Bowl team also performed admirably at the state championships, taking home 1st in Hippology and 2nd in Horse Bowl.

Shelby County Extension Educates on Career Advancement

UT/TSU Shelby County SNAP-Ed health educator Jasmen Richmond has been on a mission of late to work with Shelby County youth on their career prospects, professional outlook, and long-term dreams. Richmond spoke to a trio of middle school groups from Compass Community Schools as part of a career day series hosted by Junior Achievement of Memphis and Mid-South last month, educating them on a variety of topics including healthy eating and career advancement. Using the mantra “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit!” and a fruit-themed PowerPoint presentation, Richmond led a round of fruit and vegetable Family Fued (called MyPlate Feud) which the students enjoyed, before diving into a discussion about the professional outlook of a SNAP-Ed health educator, what it takes to get there, what skills one needs in the position, benefits related to the position, and things to ask someone that they are interviewing with. Richmond even showed them pictures of other programs to emphasize the community approach a SNAP-Ed health educator must take in their job. “I’ve never had an opportunity like that, so I made sure to encourage each group,” said Richmond.

TSU SNAP-Ed Pilots New Partnership with TSU Nursing

TSU SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education) and EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) Community Nutrition Program Field Manager Nikkole Turner kicked off a new partnership for her two organizations last month when she initiated a pilot program that will see SNAP-Ed partner with TSU Nursing to help spread the message of healthy eating and healthy living. The new partnership effectively brings in two TSU nursing students along with assistant nursing professor Courtney Harris into the SNAP-Ed program, all owing them to help disseminate the messaging SNAP-Ed employs in encouraging healthy lifestyles. The two groups partnered up last month for a pilot event to assess the potential of the partnership at a health fair event at East Nashville non-profit the Neighborhood Health Clinic. The event focused on women’s health care issues. The student nurses were able to share with the attendees the importance of reading the labels on sugary drinks and measuring out the amount of sugar to get a visual on the amount of sugar consumed when choosing sugary drinks. Over 100 attended the health fair, and Turner and the nursing students were able to present their program to more than 40 mothers and families at the event.

TSU SNAP-Ed/EFNEP Program Field Manager Nikkole Turner initiated a new partnership with TSU Nursing last month in which two nursing students and an assistant professor joined in the effort to push healthy eating. The two came together for a health fair put on by East Nashville non-profit the Neighborhood Health Clinic.

Shelby County Extension SNAP-Ed health educator Jasmen Richmond spoke to three groups of students on the topic of career advancement last month at the Junior Achievement of Memphis and Mid-South career day.

College of Ag Week 2024

There was a party-like atmosphere circulating about the College of Agriculture last week during “Ag Week,” a six-day celebration of student life at the College. The week-long event series was held from March 11 to March 16 and featured interactive activities such as battery recycling, trivia, therapy animals, and an electric car show, along with guest speakers, tours, discussions, and catered lunches. As evidenced by the smiling faces, laughter, and rounds of applause that permeated the event, it was well-received by the student body. The event coincided with national Ag Week, which kicked off on March 18 across the country. Students, faculty members, and College administrators came out in droves for each of the festivities’ six days, marking the first Ag Week post Covid-19.

For Associate Dean of Academics and Land-grant Programs Dr. De’Etra Young, the department days and Ag Week were a significant contribution to community-building for the College of Agriculture. “The College of Agriculture is one big family where we share in hard work, camaraderie, and school spirit,” says Dr. Young. “Ag Week is really just about celebrating that family, having some fun, and sharing some laughs with that family. It is a moment each year when the academic side of things takes a back seat to the community aspect of the College, when we chat, we eat, we do activities all in the name of growing that sense of family, that sense of community here at TSUAg.”

The College of Agriculture hosted Ag Week 2024 last week, a week-long celebration of academic life at the College. This year’s Ag Week, the first since Covid-19, featured battery recycling, trivia, therapy animals, and an electric car show, along with guest speakers, tours, discussions, and catered lunches.

A Goodbye for Dr. Dennis

TSUAg said goodbye last month to its longest-serving faculty member as beloved soil and water scientist and educator Dr. Samuel Dennis opted for retirement. Trading out his lab for the golf course may have been an easy decision for the affable Dr. Dennis, but saying goodbye was not. The luncheon held in honor of Dr. Dennis’ retirement last month was full of laughter, stories, and few tears, as faculty members one after the other lined up to tell stories of Dr. Dennis and wish him well in his future endeavors. Dr. Dennis had his own stories to tell as well, such as what college life was like at TSUAg when he first came to campus in the early 1980’s. The Farrell-Westbrook Complex, a.k.a. “the Barn,” was actually a barn in those days, said Dr. Dennis with a laugh to the group. “There were chickens, goats, hay everywhere... it was great!” Congratulations on your retirement Dr. Dennis and thank you for your long, dedicated service to the TSU College of Agriculture!

Tennessee FFA Visits TSU as Part of FFA Goodwill Tour

TSUAg served as a stop on the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Goodwill Tour last month. A group of more than 100 FFA members joined faculty, staff, and students in the Farrell-Westbrook Auditorium. FFA members from across the state dropped by the College for a luncheon, presentations on TSUAg and stories from the FFA’s state officers as part of their tour across the state. The highlight of the event were the presentations made by each of the Tennessee FFA’s state officers where each took a different path in explaining the impact FFA has had on their life. The event coincided with National FFA Week, held Feb. 17-24, 2024, an event which the organization utilizes to share the ways FFA impacts it members each and every day. “It’s the first college stop for a bunch of us who are on the tour and it’s great to be around college people and to be on an agriculture campus. It feels like the Tennessee agriculture family has welcomed us with open arms during the tour,” said Tennessee FFA President Ella Hasty.

The College of Agriculture said goodbye to its longest-running servant last month when a 42-year veteran of the College, Dr. Samuel Dennis, officially retired. Tears were shed during the goodbye luncheon the College hosted for the beloved soil and water scientist.

The Tennessee FFA community descended upon the TSU College of Agriculture campus last month as part of their week-long FFA Goodwill Tour across the state.

Best and Brightest

Recognized at 2024 TSUAg Awards Luncheon

TSUAg took a moment out of what was a busy Ag Week 2024 schedule last Friday to come together for an event that honors the best and brightest at the College of Agriculture over the past year, the TSUAg 2024 Awards Luncheon. Students, faculty, and staffers took home awards as part of the 2024 luncheon, held on March 16. Honorees for this year’s awards were nominated from undergraduate students, graduate students, doctoral students, research faculty, extension agents, support staff, each group that makes up TSUAg was represented in the awards.

Pushing the Agenda

Tennessee State University College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy and Director of Marketing and Communications “Coach” Rod Reed were in our nation’s capital last week lobbying, amongst others, Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty on behalf of the University. Dr. Reddy and Reed participated in the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) symposium put on by that organization and the APLU’s Board on Agricultural Assembly, they met with numerous lawmakers, and rubbed elbows with agriculture stakeholders during their visit, including Tennessee State University alumni and 1890 liaison James G. Brown Jr., who served from 2017 to 2021 as the TSU delegate to CARET.

TSUAg undergraduate students (from left) Grace Colvin, Kyla Hughes, and Aaliyah Cotton were each honored for their academic efforts over the past year at the 2024 College of Agriculture Awards Luncheon last week.

TSU College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy (pictured here with TSU alum James Brown) and Director of Marketing and Communications Rod Reed were in Washington, D.C. this month lobbying on behalf of the College.

Editor/Writer: Charles Morrison

Graphic Designer: Christina Jacob

Phone/Fax: 615-963-7561

Website: www.tnstate.edu/ agriculture

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