USDA announces education funding at Hispanic institutions

Oct 28, 2015

Close to $9 million is being invested

In an effort to help and support students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) pursue an education in agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing $8.8 million into colleges and universities in eight states and Puerto Rico.

Graduates

“The Hispanic population in the United States is growing, as is interest and emphasis on research, education, and extension services in higher education across the country,” said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director in a release. “Programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions that focus on climate change and variability, food safety and security, water, childhood obesity, and sustainable bioenergy create opportunities to train and educate these students, allowing them to excel in higher education and in the workforce.”

The grants, being awarded to schools in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Texas and Washington, were awarded by the HSI Education Grants Program. The program is designed to help educators use new methods of teaching to prepare students for agricultural careers.

Funded projects include:

$274,790 for an initiative by Texas Lutheran University to develop students as scientists by redesigning undergraduate experiences through research
$275,000 for Northeastern Illinois University to use towards engaging urban undergraduate students with new learning opportunities related to agriculture and water issues
$250,000 for Florida International University to use towards training 26 students in different agricultural subjects that also focus on natural resources and sustainable agriculture

Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the USDA investing in agricultural education.

Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm