LEGISLATIVE PACKET2025wakefield

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES

OVERVIEW

CAAS

Economic Impact Land Grant Mission CAAS Agriculture Challenges College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Units Impact Highlights from Recent Appropriated Funds Capacity and Change Alcorn State University Agriculture Funding Since 2013 FY 25 Agricultural Land Grant Research and Extension Appropriations Academic Programs

ECONOMIC IMPACT

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ALCORN’S LAND-GRANT MISSION To better serve our students, particularly in the area of poultry and agricultural sciences To provide resources to better assist with training the next level of the workforce with careers in poultry science and animal science To better serve the youth of the state through our Extension programs To better serve the community including our farmers and ranchers, helping them become more profitable To attract the best talent To evolve and meet the needs in research and education to continue meeting the needs of our society

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COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES: AGRICULTURE CHALLENGES

Strengthen poultry research, training and production.

Increase the number of youth entering agricultural careers.

Increase profitability and productivity of small and disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Increase the number of MS Youth reached with 4H programs.

Enhancing partnerships with our peer universities.

Increase corporate partnerships.

Increase pea production and marketing in the MS Delta. Enhance shitake mushrooms research and production.

Facility improvement.

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COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES

Academic Units

Department of Agriculture

Department of Advance Technology

Department of Human Sciences

Extension

Marks

Preston

Mound Bayou Pea Project

Product Development Center

Small Farm Incubator

Vegetable Processing Center

MS Small Farm and Agribusiness Center

Research

Experiment Station

Center for Conservation Research

MS River Research Center

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IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT APPROPRIATED FUNDS Projects – Mushrooms, Poultry, Greenhouses, Farms

19 USDA Scholars and 12 Pathway

Over 60 students participated in summer internships

13 Thurgood Marshall interns worked in USDA agencies across four states

Projects – Mushrooms, Poultry, Greenhouses, Farms

Projects – Mushrooms, Poultry, Greenhouses, Farms

Domestic and international student recruitment

Enhanced collaboration with MSU in research, program development, etc.

Hired 6 new faculty with joint appointments in research, extension and education – the tripartite system

Hired over 10 new support staff, post-docs, and research scientist

Provided professional development for faculty and staff

12 recently graduates went straight to USDA jobs

Agriculture students are at the top of the student government association

Financial efforts helped secured $2 million in funds to support STEM outreach activities virtually to rural MS schools

Secured a larger variety of animals to the farms to enhance educational training for the students and the community

Purchase of much needed equipment, upgrades,

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CAPACITY AND CHANGE

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ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURE FUNDING SINCE 2013 FEDERAL AND STATE MATCHING FUNDS

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FY '25 AGRICULTURAL LAND GRANT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION: EXTENSION APPROPRIATIONS, $3,100,000

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ADVANCE TECHNOLOGIES

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ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH

OVERVIEW

RESEARCH

Research Area Highlights Active USDA Funded Projects Research Summer of Research 2024 Grant Applications Horticulture Research Watermelon Breeding Project Poultry Research- Dr. Abosede Abolude Mushroom Research and ProductionDr. Frank Mrema Greenhouse Renovation- January 2025 Mushroom Research and ProductionUnder Construction January 2025 Poultry Research and ExtensionJanuary 2025 Future Facility Needs

RESEARCH AREA HIGHLIGHTS

In August 2024, there were 9 USDA-CBG grant proposals submitted with a total fund of 3.6 million dollars.

In April, 2024, a total of 5 USDA-CBG proposals were awarded with a total of 1.8 million dollars making Alcorn #8 amongst all 1890s.

1 NSF application Submitted

3 Climate Smart projects funded in 2023 totaling at 1.4 million dollars and the awards were issued in 2024.

1 USDA NextGen funded at 1.5 million dollars (April,2023).

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ACTIVE USDA FUNDED PROJECTS Grant Number

Agency

Grant Title

2020-3882131088

USDA-NIFACBG

Enhancing Food Security in Rural Mississippi through Family farming Initiatives

2020-3882131123

USDA-NIFACBG

Predicting Vineyard Canopy Coverage Using Airborne Images and Neural Network

2020-3882131092

USDA-NIFACBG

2021-3882134582

USDA-NIFACBG

Engineering Impact-Resistant Hydrophobic Microcrystalline Cellulose Biocomposites Using Switchgrass, Giant Miscanthus, And DDGS

2021-3882134727

USDA-NIFACBG

Integrating Sustainable Agricultural Practices to Enhance Quality of Poultry Products and Environment in Southwest Mississippi

2022-3882137335

USDA-NIFACBG

Acquisition of Scientific Instrumentation for Agricultural Microbiology Instruction

2022-3882137359

USDA-NIFACBG

Developing Sweetpotato Germplasms with Increased Protein Levels and Improved Viral Disease Resistance

2023-3882139808

USDA-NIFACBG

Enhancing Agricultural Education For The 21st Century Global Economy

2023-3882139880

USDA-NIFACBG

Introducing And Integrating Stevia Into Rural Mississippi Farm Operations To Improve Community Health And Income

2023-3882139922

USDA-NIFACBG

Crop Genetic Enhancement Through Genome Editing Technology and Future Agriculture Leadership Cultivation

2024-3882142043

USDA-NIFACBG

1890-HSI Partnership To Enhance Graduate Competitiveness And Faculty Knowledge In Tropical Agriculture

2024-3882142047

USDA-NIFACBG

Professional Development On Unmaned Aerial Vehicales (UAV)

2024-3882142093

USDA-NIFACBG

Strengthening Food Systems in an Era of Extreme Weather

2024-3882142083

USDA-NIFACBG

Enhancing Crop Stress Tolerance Through Beneficial Microbes And Future Agriculture Workforce Development

2024-3882142125

USDA-NIFACBG

Education And Application Of Portable Crop Disease Detection Technologies To Improve Biosecurity For The Underserved Family Farms In Ms & Ak

Evaluation of Under-Utilized Tree Crop, R heudelotii (Tropical oilseed ) as a Functional Feed for Production of Omega-3 Enriched Pork

NR203A750025C USDA-NRCS 002

Training the Next Generation of USDA-NRCS UAV Pilots in Soil Conservation Applications

NR204423XXXXC USDA-NRCS 114

Enhance Small-Farm Community and Training of the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists

NR204423XXXXC USDA-NRCS 005

Using Novel Sensor Tech in MS

NR233A750023C USDA-NRCS 006

Promote multidiscipline collaborations with Alcorn State university (ASU) and inter-institutional collaborations between ASU and USDA NRCS scientists through the study of field soil and climate data

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SUMMER OF RESEARCH 2024 GRANT APPLICATIONS 5 projects from USDA-CBG were awarded for a total of 1.8 million dollars.

3 USDA-NRCS awards with a total fund of $ 1.8 million awarded.

USDA climate smart opportunity awarded at 2.8 million dollars.

US Department of Commerce awarded Alcorn as subawardee for 1.5 million dollars on Computer Aided Virtual Environment (CAVE) projects. $18 million collaboration grant received for NextGen, $1.5 million of the total goes to CAAS, PI’s Wakefield and Zhang $3 million awarded to CAAS from the USDA-NRCS and Natural Resources and Environment, Terry Cosby, Homer Wilkes 16

HORTICULTURE RESEARCH

Muscadine​

Southern Pea and Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)​

Novel disease resistant apples, virus-free sweet potato yield comparison​

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WATERMELON BREEDING PROJECT

Watermelon trait assessment in the laboratory (Dr. Bed Prakash Bhatta)

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POULTRY RESEARCH DR. ABOSEDE ABOLUDE

Poultry Facility

Research focus: Poultry Nutrition Poultry Production and Management Food Safety

Egg Size Comparison Across Various Hen Lines

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MUSHROOM RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION DR. FRANK MREMA

Isolation

woodchip preparation

Inoculation in field

Grain spawn

Mycelium

Post inoculation

Colonization

Fungal growth

Mycelium development under different field practice

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GREENHOUSE RENOVATION JANUARY 2025 Before renovation

After Renovation

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MUSHROOM RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION JANUARY 2025

Mushroom research and production – front and back view

Rooms under construction.

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POULTRY RESEARCH & EXTENSION JANUARY 2025 Poultry/Animal Science Academic Research Center Phase II Total Budget: $3,677,100 Poultry Research Facility

Animal Incinerator

Poultry Processing House

Feed House

Storage Shed

Poultry Processing House-Inside View

Chicken House-Entrance and Inside View

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FUTURE FACILITY NEEDS

Small ruminant animal Research and Production

Specialty horticulture crop greenhouse renovation

Road to research facility

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ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

EXTENSION PROGRAM

2024 Extension Program Impact

CONTENT

TABLE

Location and Program Areas Agriculture and Natural Resources 2024 Impact Snapshot of AG Extension Activities 4-H and Youth Development 2024 Impact Snapshots of 4-H Extension Activities Family and Consumer Sciences (FSC) 2024 Impact Snapshot of FSC Extension Activities Community Resource Development (CRD) 2024 Impact Snapshots of CRD Extension Activities Off-Campus Centers 2024 Impact Snapshot of Off-Campus Extension Activities Product Development Center (PDC) 2024 Extension Funding ASU Extension Collaborations

2024 EXTENSION PROGRAM IMPACT

Reached 189,982 Clients (direct

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LOCATION AND PROGRAM AREAS 17 Counties and 3 off-campus centers

Agriculture & Natural Resources

4-H and Youth Development

Community and Resource Development

Off-Campus Centers

Family & Consumer Sciences

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AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (2024 IMPACT) Our team engaged in hands-on training activities, workshops, conferences, and field days to help small farmers and ranchers enhance their farm income. In the 2023-2024 period, this program connected with 39,938 individuals both directly and indirectly, resulting in an economic impact exceeding $146.5 million.

Community and Container Gardening 245 workshops 16 counties 1,344 individuals reached

Crop Production Program 199 workshops/events 17 counties 2,152 individuals reached

MS Small Farm Agribusiness Center 13 workshop 20 counties 674 participants reached

Animal Science Education Program 29 workshops 12 counties 95 participants reached

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 306 workshops 16 counties 3,030 individuals reached

Soil Nutrient Management Program 101 meetings 12 counties 950 participants reached

Farm Management Program 20 Workshops 5 counties 681 individuals reached

Livestock Production Program 29 workshops 13 counties 95 participants reached

Model Farm Education Program 225 Field visits (group/individual) 902 individuals reached

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SNAPSHOT OF AG EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

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SNAPSHOT OF AG EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

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4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (2024 IMPACT) The youth development program provided valuable resources for young people and volunteers, focusing on Risky Behavior, Career and Workforce Development, Leadership, and STEM. Roughly 116,683 individuals engaged in educational activities throughout the state. Consequently, ASUEP's 4-H and Youth Development team created an economic impact of $2.2 million.

Career and Workforce Development 26 workshops 14 counties 25,700 individuals reached

Youth Leadership Development Program 25 workshops 14 counties 4,579 participants reached

4-H STEM Challenge Program 20 challenges 24 counties 2,098 individuals reached

4-H Healthy Living Program 108 workshops & 10 summer camps 25 counties 16 school

Risky Behavior Educational Program 16 Workshop 12 Counties 8,678 participants reached

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SNAPSHOT OF 4-H EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES (2024 IMPACT) Through numerous hands-on workshops, programs, events, activities, conferences, and health fairs, valuable educational resources were offered to underserved children, youth, and families throughout Mississippi. This information emphasized strategies to improve health and well-being. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the program successfully engaged 24,242 participants, leading to an economic impact of over $3.6 million.

Parenting Education Program 81 workshops 15 counties 5,029 individuals reached

Family Financial Management Program 20 workshops 15 counties 690 participants reached

Nutrition Education Program 336 workshops 15 counties 12,251 participants reached

4-H Healthy Living Program 273 activities 15 counties 11,697 individuals reached

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SNAPSHOT OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

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COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (2024 IMPACT) Through a range of activities, essential educational resources were delivered to underserved communities throughout Mississippi. This information emphasized strategies to improve leadership and workforce development skills. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the program engaged 464 participants, leading to an economic impact of over $36 million.

Leadership Skills Development Program 12 workshops 16 counties 84 individuals reached

Crop Insurance Agents/Adjusters 4 online trainings 13 counties 25 individuals reached

Workforce Development Program 24 Workshop 12 Workshop 360 participants reached

Farmers and Mobile Market Program 27 workshops 12 counties 485 participants reached

Estate Planning/Heir Property 11 workshops 10 counties 291 individuals reached

Small Farmers Conference 1 workshop 1 county 300 individuals reached

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SNAPSHOT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

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OFF-CAMPUS CENTERS (2024 IMPACT) Off-campus centers provide education to resource-limited farmers on varietal selection, cultural practices, and fertilizer application techniques for promising small fruits and vegetables that can serve as income-generating crops. They also host workshops, conferences, field days, and outreach activities to enhance public understanding of Farm Bill provisions.

The vegetable processing and packing facility supports small farmers in the North Delta region by enabling them to produce and process commercial vegetables, helping them diversify their farm operations and enhance their marketing opportunities.

These centers have reached a total of 7,000 clients, both directly and indirectly, generating an overall economic impact of $360,000.00.

Mound Bayou Extension/Research Farm (Bolivar County) 15 workshops/events 3 field days/ demonstration Reached 5017 individuals

Preston Incubator Farm (Kemper County) 5 workshops/events 1 field day Reached 2116 individuals

Marks Vegetable Processing Plant (Quitman County) 14,315 lbs. of peas processed 5,000 lbs. of vegetables processed 13 workshops

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SNAPSHOT OF OFF-CAMPUS CENTERS EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

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SNAPSHOT OF OFF-CAMPUS CENTERS EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTER The Center's mission encompasses Teaching, Research, and Outreach activities: It serves as a resource for small farmers and entrepreneurs, offering technical assistance in the development and marketing of value-added agricultural products.

It creates a learning environment where Alcorn students and small farmers/entrepreneurs can gain hands-on experience in value-added processing and production.

Throughout the 2023-2024 period, the center functions as a retail store, selling 24 value-added products such as hot sauce, spices, wing sauce, and pickled items to the public, generating over $20,000 in revenue.

A total of 502 visitors received training on value-added products and their preservation methods.

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EXTENSION FUNDING AWARDED FOR 2024 Sl no

# Grants

Amount (USD)

01

USDA: Small Farm Outreach Project

$708,184.00

02

USDA: Heir Property Education

$150,822.00

03

USDA-CBG: Technologies to Improve Farm Biosecurity

$450,000.00

04

USDA-SCRI: Combat vegetable pests

$480,000.00

05

USDA-CBG: Improve the productivity of small farm crops

$449,000.00

06

NRCS: Importance of Soil Health and other Conservation Practices

$400,000.00

07

VANGUARD: Soil Health For Climate Smart Agronomic Practices

$899,213.00

08

MCL JASCO: Climate Smart Agriculture

$516,811.68

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USDA-4H Programing Funds

$863,024.26

10

Southern SARE Grant: Sustainable Crop Production

$50,000.00

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Delta Regional Authority: Specialty Crop Production & Processing

$30,000.00

Total Amount

$4,997,054.94 (5 Millions) 42

EXTENSION PROGRAMS COLLABORATORS 1890 INSTITUTIONS

Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University

Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical University

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Tennessee State University

1862 INSTITUTIONS

Mississippi State University

New Mexico State University

Texas Agricultural & Mechanical University

University of California, Davis

OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Mississippi Valley State University

Jackson State University

Albany State University

University of Memphis

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ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES Dr. Dexter B. Wakefield, I Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs Dr. Chunquan (Chris) Zhang Associate Dean for Research & Director of Experiment Station Dr. Franklin Chukwuma Associate Director for Extension 1000 ASU Drive #690 Lorman, MS 39096