December 2 – Prairie View A&M University student Lenaye Palmer is an Agriculture major who understands the importance of food. The sophomore is a member of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences’ student-led Garden Club. After the Houston Food Bank was forced to toss 1.8 million pounds of food ahead of Thanksgiving, she and other students jumped into action. “Our school was founded on Agriculture, so it’s part of our mission to give back to the community,” said Palmer.
The student’s donation of vegetables and canned foods is one part of a combined effort between the university and its partners, which resulted in a contribution that exceeded 18-hundred pounds of food.
PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences’ Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., said this effort aligns perfectly with the university’s land-grant mission. “As the only Houston area agricultural university with a farm, it was our duty to step up and help the food bank provide for families in need. We are fulfilling the part of our mission that focuses on helping the underserved.” This initiative also follows the growing emphasis in the College on Food Security, one of its signature areas. “In the end, we want to make sure everyone has access to healthy food,” Palmer added.
Besides donating vegetables from the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm on campus, the university also rallied its partners who agreed to help with the effort. Eden Green Technology’s vertical greenhouse in Cleburne, Texas, donated 14-hundred pounds of food on behalf of PVAMU from its warehouse in Dallas. Area Congressional Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX 2nd District) arranged to cover transportation costs. On campus, CAHS Cooperative Extension Program Specialist, Angela Moore, helped organize the drive which included students from nearby H.T. Jones Elementary School.
The Garden Club’s Research Assistant, Debra Bradford, said this was indeed a collective effort. “Once Dr. Laura Carson sent out the email, CAHS’ Program Assistant, Chandra Adams helped secure a pallet for our produce, and our Greenhouse Manager, Mr. Rafash Brew organized the students to harvest the produce,” she added.
An initial drop-off took place Friday, November 22nd, followed by the student’s contribution on Nov. 26, just in time for Thanksgiving. Something Palmer said, warms her heart, “it goes back to Agriculture and our mission to make sure people have the food they need,” she said.
Together, the university’s combined effort has resulted in 1,800 pounds of fresh produce greens, which contributed to feeding 1,000 families over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Tucker Wilson
Media & Publications Coordinator
tuwilson@pvamu.edu
(936)261-5116