Buckeye Reporter

Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh toured Central State University, an Historically Black University in the Land-Grant University System. HBCUs like Central State are fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders, leading scientific and technological advances in the field, and promoting urban agriculture growth in communities across Ohio. Following the tour, Brown and Deputy Sec. Bronaugh hosted a roundtable discussion with Central State students and faculty as well as local farmers, to go over priorities moving forward as the Senate gears up for the next Farm Bill

“As we look toward the next Farm Bill, I’ll be working with my colleagues on ways we can support the important research being done at Central State and other 1890 Land Grant Institutions across the country. Hearing from you today is the first step in that process,” said Brown at the roundtable. “One of my most important jobs is listening – we’ve done hundreds of these roundtables across the state – and that’s why we are here today to listen, and to learn how we can work together.”

“1890 Land-Grant Institutions like Central State University are both an integral part of the communities they serve and at the forefront of exciting, cutting-edge advancements in agricultural science and technology,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh. “I was glad to have the opportunity to visit CSU this afternoon with Senator Brown, who championed CSU’s Land Grant Status in the 2014 Farm Bill, to meet with students and faculty and highlight the investments USDA is making to bolster the meaningful, transformative work these institutions do each day – from developing the next generation of diverse leaders in agriculture to conducting research to address agricultural challenges. As USDA works tirelessly to help our communities Build Back Better and advance equity in agriculture, equipping 1890 Institutions with the resources they need will continue to be a top priority for the Department.”

Brown and Deputy Sec. Bronaugh met with students and faculty, toured the facility, and highlighted federal efforts to invest in 1890 Land Grant institutions, support farmers and agriculture, support research infrastructure at institutions like Central State, and develop career pathways for diverse future leaders in agriculture.

“We appreciate Senator Brown's continuous support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and specifically, Central State University as an 1890 Land-Grant institution. Central State University is committed to providing its students with a world-class education with emphasis on careers that span the field of agriculture, science, and engineering. We are committed to the 1890 land-grant mission and look forward to strengthening our partnerships with the United States Department of Agriculture and the State of Ohio. Our goal is to become Ohio’s premier 1890 land-grant University,” said Central State President Dr. Jack Thomas.

“In the state of Ohio, agriculture is one of the heartbeats of the state’s economy. Agriculture is not just a business, industry, and a means of commerce, it is a way of life. At Central State University, we are doing our part to contribute and preserve this way of life,” said F. Erik Brooks, Provost, and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Central State.

“Here in the College of Engineering Science Technology and Agriculture at Central State University in Wilberforce Ohio, we are committed to delivering the tripartite land grant mission of our 1890 Land Grant institution. We know that Senator Brown is committed to supporting us in serving our underserved minority students, women owned and run small business, land owners, farmers, ranchers and veterans in the state of Ohio,” said Dr. Michelle Corley, Dean of the College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture, and Director of 1890 Land-Grant Programs at Central State.

“I greatly appreciate Senator Brown’s dedicated work with the USDA in supporting Ohio’s agriculture industry, especially family farmers. His passionate interest and deep understanding of environmental concerns, including soil health and water supply safety, are invaluable to the citizens of our nation. Both the USDA and Senator Brown have a deep commitment to supporting minority farmers, the local food movement, and urban agricultural initiatives. This visit to Central State University is a demonstration of their strong support of sustainable agriculture and the vital role of Black educational institutions in providing wholesome nutrition and addressing urgent environmental issues,” said William Miller, Vice President of the Ohio Farmers Union, Vice Chair of the USDA Minority Rancher and Farmer Advisory Committee, and local organic farmer.

“I appreciate Senator Brown’s dedicated work with the USDA in supporting Ohioans and Black Farmers through the programs developed and investments secured at Central State. CSU extension is thoroughly committed to reestablishing the agricultural wisdom that can empower personal family resilience and reduce food insecurity across our beloved community,” said Omopé “Mama O” Carter Daboiku, Farm Manager at Edgemont Solar Garden in Dayton.

In December, Brown announced that the Senate-passed FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report includes a version of their bipartisan Building Equitable Access to Contribute to Our National Security (BEACON) Act, legislation to expand Department of Defense (DoD) research funding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs). This includes Central State University and Wilberforce University in Ohio, and Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Virginia University of Lynchburg in Virginia. The Department funds basic research at institutions of higher education and Brown’s legislation would ensure HBCU students get the resources and research opportunities to succeed in STEM and other related careers. Brown filed a modified version of the BEACON Act as an amendment during Senate consideration of the NDAA.

Brown has been working to secure critical investments for 1890 Land-Grant institutions like Central State University in Wilberforce, securing an additional $3 million for research in a spending package passed by the Senate in 2019. The funds go toward research at Centers for Excellence, which Brown secured the creation of as part of the 2018 Farm Bill that was signed into law in December 2018. The designated lead universities at each Center for Excellence are required to develop public-private partnerships, to ensure that their research activities provide increased access and economic returns to farmers and rural communities, and to contribute to poverty reduction, and reduce health disparities and economic vulnerability of local communities.

For more than 100 years, Central State University was denied 1890 Land-Grant status, meaning it was ineligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its innovative scientific research. Brown secured a provision in the 2018 Farm Bill that corrects the oversight and increased the amount of formula funding that Central State is able to receive from USDA, while not jeopardizing the funding of any other 1890 Land-Grant institution.

Last year, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $1,005,263 in scholarship funding to Central State University. The award comes as part of $19 million in grant funding for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions. This annual funding was made available by Brown’s bipartisan fight to secure $80 million in the 2018 Farm Bill for new agriculture-focused scholarships for Land-Grant HBCUs, including Central State University in Wilberforce. In total, between FY2020 and FY2021, Central State has received $1,757,895.16 in scholarship funding from NIFA grants.