The evans allen (EA) program at central state university (CSU)focuses on critical issues reflected in the institutional plan of work (POW)

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Central State University $11.277 million through the Evans-Allen Program (CFDA 10.205) on October 1, 2025, to conduct agricultural research addressing plant and animal systems, food nutrition and health, natural resources and environmental management, and advanced technologies and commercialization.

Twelve faculty members lead NIFA-approved research projects supported by undergraduate students, research assistants, and post-doctoral researchers. The research portfolio encompasses sustainable farming practices, carbon sequestration, improved crop varieties, genomic and genetic engineering studies for pollinator health, affordable technologies for small and medium-scale farmers, food safety and security, nutritional sciences, forest farming, and urban forestry. Work also includes seed funding for emerging faculty initiatives. All projects align with USDA strategic goals to protect America's food, fuel, and fiber supply and enhance Ohio's agricultural sector growth. CSU provides undergraduate experiential learning opportunities to prepare the next generation of agriculturalists and researchers to address current and future challenges in food, agriculture, and natural resources.

The award funds research activities at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This formula grant supports the 1890 Land-Grant Institution's capacity to conduct agricultural research as an eligible recipient under the Evans-Allen program, which requires an approved institutional Plan of Work and annual reporting of accomplishments and results.

These issues are aligned with the USDA's strategic goals. The plan addresses four critical areas: (I) plant and animal systems, (II) food nutrition and health systems (FNH); (III) natural resources and environmental systems, and (IV) advanced technologies and commercialization systems. To help address these critical areas, 12 faculty members provide leadership through nifa-approved research projects. All projects further contribute to protecting america's food, fuel, and fiber supply and enhance the overall growth of the agricultural sector in ohio and beyond. CSU also supports and trains undergraduate students who receive unique experiential learning opportunities, preparing them to effectively engage in the much-needed next generation of agriculturalists who can tackle the current challenges in food, agriculture, and natural resources faced by our country and the world. As graduate programs continue to develop at CSU, research activities are mainly supported by undergraduate students, research assistants, and post-doctoral researchers. In fact, post-doctoral researchers significantly assist CSU's research faculty in advancing research related to sustainable farming practices, carbon sequestration, improved crop varieties, genomic and genetic engineering studies for improving pollinator health, affordable technologies for small and medium-scale farmers, food safety and security, and nutritional sciences. These endea vors address USDA's priorities for protecting america's food, fuel, and fiber supply to enhance national security. The plan also includes research related to forest farming and urban forestry aimed at improving the economy from timber-based and non-timber-based forest products to environmental sustainability in ohio's urban forest landscapes. The EA also provides seed funding for academic faculty to address emerging agricultural issues or support existing research programs, either during the summer or on a partial basis throughout the year. These collaborative interdisciplinary research projects address the most pressing challenges aligned with nifa's strategic goals. As the newest 1890 land-grant institution, CSU continues building research capacity and infrastructure through its EA program. CSU is currently erecting its research and demonstration complex (RDC), which physical and human resources will significantly contribute to advancing the CSU's plan of work, and associated USDA's strategic goals. The RDC will drive innovation in smart agriculture, promote diversified research opportunities, enhance food and nutrition security, and train and engage future agriculturists who will meet current and future challenges in food and agriculture, thereby enhancing food security. The RDC will also provide faculty with state-of-the-art research facilities, equipped with advanced instrumentation and specialized laboratories for cutting-edge research, and train the next generation of agriculturists. These enhanced capabilities will, in turn, enable CSU faculty to become more competitive, innovative, and resourceful in securing additional resources (e.g., extramural funding), strategically collaborating with domestic and international partners, and providing unique solutions in the land-grant program at CSU is poised to build the research capacity through the strategic addition of human capital and key infrastructure needed for the successful achievement of programmatic goals, as well as supporting the production of healthy and safe food for ohio and beyond. Support of regional and national economic development and global food security.