PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (September 23, 2025) — Noel Estwick, Ph.D., assistant professor and research scientist in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Sciences at Prairie View A&M University, has received a $15,000 grant from North Carolina A&T University through the USDA Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.
Noel Estwick, Ph.D.
The grant will support a project aimed at helping small and limited-resource farmers and their families prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters through comprehensive risk management planning. These farmers often face unique challenges—they are among the least prepared, have limited resources, and may lack timely access to assistance needed to build resilience.
The project will be piloted in Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina, in partnership with University and Extension faculty and staff at PVAMU, Tennessee State University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and North Carolina A&T State University.
In addition to supporting farmers, the initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of 1890 Agricultural Extension staff to deliver practical disaster education programs. Using participatory training methods, staff will train farmers and their families to implement best practices for disaster preparedness and management, equipping them with tools to protect their livelihoods and communities.
For PVAMU, the project provides a unique opportunity to enhance the University’s role as a leader in agricultural research and Extension services. Faculty and students will gain hands-on experience in disaster risk management and contribute to innovative programs that have a direct, positive impact on local communities.
By Joe McGinty