PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Waller County, Texas, has been around for 150 years, and the entire county recently devoted two weeks to celebrating its sesquicentennial. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has been a part of this region for 147 years, and the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) was happy to host a farmer’s market-style open house on campus as part of the festivities.
On May 3, CAHS faculty and staff welcomed the public inside the Lt. Colonel Benny L. Lockett Auditorium to hear from leadership about the college’s history in Waller County and provide a snapshot of various programs specifically designed to benefit our core audience.
Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) Executive Associate Director Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., said, “I am so happy to be collaborators with the Waller area and moving the county forward in doing great things together.” Dr. Williams opened the event, informing the audience of the college’s role in the community and reminding them that CAHS is a trusted and vast resource for nutritional health, agricultural needs, and community support.
CAHS Dean and Director of Land-grant Programs Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., welcomed the audience ahead of the farmers market, praising the great partnership between the two entities and the remarkable things to come from the college.
“The college has been in the county for a long time, and we will be here for years and years to come,” Dr. D’Souza said. “Even though we had to undergo some shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are back stronger than ever and were so happy to bring back community events like Ag Field Day. We are here to share our programs with the public, particularly centered around food and nutritional security. With a dedication to our communities and the tripartite land grant mission, we are pleased to be positioned with Waller County for a great future together.”
Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) Executive Associate Director Erdogan Memili, Ph.D., gave an overview of his department, noting the exciting and “fun” work being done that will have a direct impact on our extension outreach.
Dr. Williams’ CEP presentation took the audience on a tour of how CEP has successfully embedded itself into over 50 counties across Texas to improve the quality of life of those we serve. From Wellness in Houston’s growing reach to the impactful roles that Extension agents take on and the department’s partnership with tech giants like Google and Verizon, the college’s reach has provided a strong channel with various routes for success.
CAHS professor Aruna Weerasooriya, Ph.D., brought a wealth of knowledge to the crowd, where he offered an extensive presentation on the distinct kinds of fruits, vegetables, and plants growing across the state that are beneficial to one’s health. Dr. Aruna, a plant systems specialist, gave a detailed history of the structure of each item and what health issues they can help target.
After the departmental overviews, guests visited booths from numerous units within CEP. Family and Community Health (FCH), 4-H Youth and Development, PVAMU Wellness in Houston, Agriculture and Natural Resources (AgNR), Community & Economic Development (CED), and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) all hosted booths within CEP, offering giveaways and the agriculture information their units offer. Guests were given goat milk soap samples, mashed cauliflower (a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes), moringa bread, merchandise from Wellness in Houston, and other appetizing nutritious snacks.
Visitors were also treated to a trolley tour of the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch. Later in the day, the public was invited to a lunch hosted by Prairie View City Hall.
In addition to the CAHS open house, Waller County held several events across the county, including a parade, pageant, antique car, and tractor show, honoring the oldest living resident, and unearthing a bicentennial capsule.
Pascale Mondesir
Senior Communications Specialist
pamondesir@pvamu.edu
