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USDA/1890 Partnership – A Broad Perspective. Antonio McLaren USDA/1890 Program Liaison Virginia State University. USDA/Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Purpose of Presentation. Overview of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO ) History of 1890 Partnership USDA/1890 Programs
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USDA/1890 Partnership – A Broad Perspective Antonio McLaren USDA/1890 Program Liaison Virginia State University USDA/Office of Advocacy and Outreach
Purpose of Presentation • Overview of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) • History of 1890 Partnership • USDA/1890 Programs • Significant 1890 Accomplishments • National and Local Community Engagement
Organization Chart Office of Advocacy and Outreach Director Associate Director Higher Education Institutions Program 2501 Program Farmworker Coordination Program Small & Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program Community Engagement Program
OAO Legislation • Section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Reorganization Act) (7 U.S.C. 6934), as added by section 14013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), Pub. L. 110-246, requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish within the Department of Agriculture (Department, or USDA) an office to be known as the Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
Establishment of OAO The 2008 Farm Bill required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish OAO as a means of centralizing outreach efforts across USDA agencies.
OAO Priorities • Improving the viability and profitability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers. • Improving access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities. • Improving agricultural opportunities for farm workers. • Closing the professional achievement gap by providing opportunities to talented and diverse young people to support the agricultural industry in the 21st century.
OAO Program Areas • Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers • Small and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers • Higher Education Institutions • Farmworker Coordination • Community Engagement
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants (2501) Program The purpose of the 2501 program is to provide outreach, technical assistance, and educational efforts to reach socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches and to participate equitably in agriculture programs.
Small and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program The Small and Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Program coordinates and collaborates across USDA to enhance services to small and beginning farmers and ranchers. This program manage the activities of the Small and Beginning Farmers Advisory Committee.
Higher Education Institutions Program • Administers a nationwide network of USDA liaisons to the various institutions of higher learning including: • 1890 Land-Grant Institutions • 1994 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities • Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Farm Worker Coordination Program The Farm Worker Coordination Program administers grant funding to aid in providing emergency services to low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers who have been adversely affected by a local, state, or national emergency or disaster.
History of USDA/1890 Partnership
History and Milestones • In 1988, the USDA/1890 Symposium held in Nashville, TN produced the following successes: • Created a closer partnership between USDA and 1890 Institutions. • Attracted more outstanding minority students to professional careers in agriculture, forestry and related areas.
History and Milestones • Improved physical facilities on the 1890 campuses • Broadened the research capabilities of the institutions • Enhanced 1890 faculty development
USDA/1890 Programs
USDA/1890 Programs • USDA/1890 Task Force • USDA/1890 Program Liaisons • USDA/1890 National Scholars Program • Federal Excess Property Program • Centers of Excellence
USDA/1890 Task Force USDA/1890 Task Force is a partnership comprised of senior officials representing USDA mission areas and presidents or chancellors from the 1890 Land Grant Institutions and Tuskegee University. The task force provides leadership to advance the best interest of USDA and the 1890 Land-Grant Universities.
USDA/1890 Program Liaisons • Liaisons are full-time, permanent USDA employees who are assigned and physically located on their respective 1890 Land-Grant university campuses. • We work to advance: • Outreach and Research Assistance (primary emphasis) • Student recruitment, retention and career counseling • USDA’s Cultural Transformation Initiative
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a major effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions to award scholarships to students to attend one of the eighteen universities to study agriculture, food, or natural resources and related sciences.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program • Purpose of the program: • Strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA and the 1890 institutions. • Increase the number of students studying agriculture and related sciences. • Offer USDA/1890 National Scholars employment opportunities with USDA agencies.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Since its inception in 1993, the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, has been a successful component of the USDA/1890 Partnership.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program • Historical Data: • Number of Applicants • Since 1993, over 14,580 students have applied to the program. • Number of Awards • To date, 549 students have been selected and hired by USDA as USDA/1890 Scholars.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program • Current Data: • Number of Participants • 123 Scholars are pursuing undergraduate degrees on the 1890 campuses. • In 2012, USDA selected 24 students to participate in the Scholars Program.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Swearing-in Ceremony for 2012 USDA/1890 National Scholars USDA’s Jamie L. Whitten Building Patio July 24, 2012
Federal Excess Property Program • Established in 1989 at the urging of the USDA/1890 Task Force to: • Provide 1890 Land-Grant institutions the capacity to acquire federal property. • Federal and DOD property reported as excess are used to support research and extension programs on university campuses.
Centers of Excellence • Initiated in 1992. • Established partnerships between 1890 institutions and USDA agencies. • Each center (one per campus) provides a USDA presence on the 1890 Campus to: • Assist the institution in the delivery of USDA programs. • Ensure support from the community. • Provide assistance to students who pursue USDA careers.
Significant 1890 Accomplishments • Provided a USDA presence that enhanced the image and visibility of USDA on the 1890 campuses. • Provided outreach in the establishment of partnerships with government and non-governmental agricultural related organizations.
Significant 1890 Accomplishments • Significantly impacted the enrollment of students in agriculture at 1890 Institutions. • Increased the number of students participating in USDA Coop/Internship programs. • Expanded, promoted, and mentored the USDA/1890 National Scholars at respective institutions.
1890 Community Organizations PARTNERSHIPS
USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program • Piloted at the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions in 2007. • The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program is designed to expose undergraduate and graduate students to contemporary agribusiness, future trends, scientific research, and agricultural policy in today's real world environment. • Participants come from Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources institutions.
USDA’s AgDiscovery Program • USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) partners with various universities and colleges to deliver the AgDiscovery program at locations throughout the country. • Focuses have included plant health, entomology, veterinary science, animal care, biotechnology, and agribusiness. • Students gain a first-hand look at the many career paths open to them in the agricultural sciences. • In 2012: • 17 universities hosted AgDiscovery Programs. • 11 AgDiscovery Programs were hosted on 1890 campuses.
USDA Leadership • Dr. Gregory Parham • Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration • Carolyn Parker, • Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach • Dexter Pearson, • Associate Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach • Mona Adkins-Easley • Interim 1890 Program Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach
Contact Information Antonio McLaren USDA/1890 Program Liaison Virginia State University P.O. Box 9416 Carter G. Woodson Avenue Owens Hall, Room 101-C Petersburg, VA. 23806 804-524-6872 (O) 804-524-5054 (F) antonio.mclaren@osec.usda.gov
To learn more about OAO, please visit: www.outreach.usda.gov