March 30 – I hope you are all doing well. In these tumultuous times, we realize first hand that health truly is wealth. We already know that food is health, so we are especially well-positioned as a College to make even greater strides and impacts in the months and decades ahead. Meanwhile, I commend each of you faculty, staff, and student employees for stepping up in many ways, small and big, to ensure the continuity of our tripartite land grant mission. I have heard first hand some of the challenges that we face, but also success stories of how we are using continuing education (especially in communication tools and distance ed), innovation, mechanisms to integrate science and technology, and persistence to overcome these hurdles. As Nelson Mandela remarked, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
As part of our land grant mission, we are reminded of how privileged we are to serve and interact with a large number and great variety of constituencies, from our students to underserved and underrepresented audiences in Texas, commodity groups, land owners’ associations, community-based organizations, youth, 4-H, and family audiences, legislative and policy bodies. Although each of these constituencies has unique needs, protocols, and platforms such that a one-size-fits-all strategy is not possible, the one thing that they all need and that we are able to provide despite the current operational constraints is science-based information, intervention, and education. Just look at recent interviews featured on the PVAMU home page and our own CAHS home page, for example. The Information and Impact Center team led by Dr. Paul Johnson has created a new space on the CAHS Home page devoted to guidance and practical advice based on our deep scientific and professional (such as RDs and veterinarian) expertise and our intimate knowledge of clientele needs, thanks to our Extension staff and practitioners in the field, a formidable team working together to serve the needs of society as envisioned in the Morrill Land-Grant Act. Our College-wide strategic plan (the culmination of a year-long participatory process is nearing fruition, and you will hear more about this in the coming days) takes on new meaning and significance, armed with the knowledge that food is health and health is wealth. It’s our time to shine! Take good care and stay well.
Gerard