The mission of the southern university agricultural research and extension center (SU AG center) is to conduct statewide basic and a pplied research and to disseminate information to the citizens of…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center $4,937,270 on October 1, 2025, under the Extension Services at 1890 Colleges and Tuskegee University, West Virginia State College, and Central State University program (CFDA 10.512).

The award funds statewide basic and applied agricultural research and extension activities conducted through the Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical College division in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Center will disseminate research-based information to Louisiana citizens addressing scientific, technological, social, economic, and cultural needs across five critical areas: family and human sciences, including disaster and pandemic preparedness; food security and systems, encompassing animal, aquaculture, and plant sustainability, food safety, and farm succession planning; natural resources and environmental sustainability, focusing on forestry, wildlife, wetlands, water management, and alternative biofuels; obesity, health, and wellness, including nutrition education and pandemic prevention; and youth development through positive development opportunities.

The period of performance extends from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. The formula grant supports the expenses of conducting extension programs at this 1890 Land-Grant Institution, with funding expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation, though up to 100 percent may be carried over for up to four years after the appropriation year without prior approval.

The mission of the southern university agricultural research and extension center (SU AG center) is to conduct statewide basic and a pplied research and to disseminate information to the citizens of louisiana in a manner that is useful in addressing their scientific, technological, social, economic and cultural needs. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for the people of louisiana. To ad dress the urgent needs of louisiana citizens, emphasis will be placed on the following critical areas during the period: 1. Family and human sciences focusing on issues affecting individuals, family's community development; disaster, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, mitigation and recovery; risk awareness; sustainable housing; emergency preparedness; 2. Food security & systems focusing on increasing the sustainability and profitability of louisiana's animal, aquaculture and plant systems and food accessibility, affordability, policy; food safety, to include seafood, raw produce, and processed commodity - safety, certification programs, farm financing and succession planning issues; 3. Natural resources & environmental sustainability focusing on conservation and preservation of natural resources, state's forestry industry, wildlife, wetland plants, water, waste management, landscapes, feedstocks, alternative biofuels, biomass processing and their effects on the environment; 4. Obesity, health & wellness focusing on increased consumption of health foods - fruits and vegetables; increasing time in physical activity; complete physical; mental and social wellbeing; policy, system, and environment change; and related nutrition/health/wellness issues to include epidemic and pandemic prevention and 5. Youth development focusing on providing louisiana youth with positive development opportunities and activities to build great leaders and healthy citizens. The issues associated with sufficient access to resources continued to present challenges for sustaining vital projects and programs. This limitation in funding necessitated constant review of programs to ensure that adequate manpower is allocated to address these critical concerns. We will work to ensure that available resources are appropriately allocated and utilized to ensure maximum return on investment and high program impact. To meet the everchanging needs of our stakeholders in the agriculture and natural resource communities as well as the youth and families served by our institutions, new approaches to conducting business have become the norm. This includes incorporating a hybrid programming model (virtual and in-person) to meet the varying needs of our clientele. Increased reliance on new technologies and tools such as social media; increased external funding and funding from local entities; increased collaboration, and trained volunteers remains a priority as we attempt to deliver high quality programs to louisiana residents.