Representatives from California’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently visited several College of Agriculture and Human Sciences classes to discuss employment opportunities.
USDA/1890 Liaison, Horace D. Hodge, invited the group to inform students about various career pathways within the NRCS. The organization is currently hiring, with over 800 positions to be filled. The NRCS is no stranger to CAHS alums. Arionne Patterson, a Management Analyst for NRCS and 2018 CAHS Alum and former USDA/1890 National Scholar, spoke to students and other 1890 alum representatives, Allen Curry, Assistant State Conservationist, Field Operations, graduate of Alcorn State University, and Curtis Tarver, Assistant State Conservationist, Field Operations, graduate of Southern University.
“NRCS has longstanding footprints across the 1890s platform,” Hodge said, “Of the 19 1890 Universities, NRCS California chose to visit Alcorn, Southern, and PVAMU. I was so proud to see our former student Arionne Patterson leading this group. “
During their visit, the reps met with five classes and took a tour throughout campus that included Gov. Bill & Vara Farm, the newly opened Meat Science Center, and the Cooperative Extension Program building.
NRCS currently sponsors USDA/1890 National Scholar Allison Robinson, sophomore, an Agriculture major with a concentration in Plant and Soil Science. The group had lunch with her, and Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., presented her with a Certificate of Accomplishment. Allison will travel to California for her 2023 summer internship.
“I know that the NRCS delegation was extremely impressed,” D’Souza said. “Great example of vertically integrated pathways, careers, and successes between PVAMU and NRCS! So great to see our former students return as NRCS execs, policy- and decision-makers! Reinforces our faculty’s important nurturing and mentoring role in student success.”
Students who want more information regarding NRCS positions should contact Hodge by email at horace.hodge@usda.gov for more details.
La’Beaula Times
Communication Specialist
lstimes@pvamu.edu
