PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 30, 2020) – This week, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the awarding of more than $14 million in grants to 19 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Prairie View A&M. With its $2.25 million portion, PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) will partner with NIFA to create a scholarship program to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, human sciences, and other agriculture-related disciplines.
“PVAMU is investing in young agricultural scholars through innovative learning environments, including a new meat lab and additional greenhouses on the university farm,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs James Palmer, Ph.D. “With support from this important scholarship opportunity, we can better prepare our graduates to positively impact their field of study and the world.”
Named the Passport to Careers in Agriculture (PCA), the scholarship will provide financial assistance to first-year and transfer students at PVAMU through 31 full and partial scholarships.
CAHS Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., said he is ecstatic, as the award bolsters the college’s ability to recruit, retain, and better support students in PVAMU’s agricultural programs.
“Student recruitment, success, and completion are among our top academic priorities,” D’Souza said. “This scholarship program will enable and empower us to achieve these priorities in an expeditious manner.”
According to CAHS Associate Professor and Grant Project Director Wash A. Jones, Ph.D., there’s an increased need for agriculture-related professionals these days.
“The career field of agriculture and related sciences is experiencing a serious shortfall of human capital. We hope that this scholarship program nationwide will provide vital rejuvenation to the pipeline of individuals who will become outstanding leaders in this critical industry.”
In addition to PVAMU, Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Lincoln University of Missouri, Alcorn State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Central State University, Langston University, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Virginia State University, and West Virginia State University received portions of NIFA’s award.
“Today’s announcement signifies our continuing partnership with the 1890 land-grant universities to ensure the sustainability of our country’s agricultural future,” said NIFA Director J. Scott Angle, when making the announcement of the grants. “We are pleased to support these important institutions as they develop the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The grants were made possible through NIFA’s 1890 Scholarship Program and authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
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