On Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture announced an investment of over $21.8 million to 1890 Land-grant Institutions to support research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack states, “this investment will strengthen the ability of our Land-grant Institutions to deliver innovative solutions that address emerging agricultural challenges impacting diverse communities.”

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the funds to 1890 Land-grant Institutions to support 58 projects at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation’s Land-grant University System and organizations as part of its Capacity Building Grants program. The program is designed to build capacity for teaching, research and extension activities at eligible institutions including curriculum design, materials development, faculty development, student recruitment and retention, and extension program development support.

USDA says the investment will strengthen the quality and diversity of the higher-education workforce, and equip 1890 Institutions with resources needed to better address emerging challenges and create new opportunities.

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