Sen. Webb Announces $2,395,701 for Agricultural Education at Virginia State University

Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced $2,395,701 in federal grants for Virginia State University to strengthen its capacity to recruit and train students for careers in agriculture. VSU was one of 18 universities selected to receive competitive grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which provides support to historically black colleges and universities designated as land-grant universities in the Second Morrill Act of 1890.

“These grants will further VSU’s robust tradition of agricultural research and training in Virginia,” said Senator Webb.  “Research carried out by VSU’s School of Agriculture benefits small-scale farmers and rural communities in Virginia and across the country.”

“I am pleased that these grants will help build and strengthen VSU’s strong record in agricultural training and research,” said Senator Warner. “It is important that we continue to look for ways we can responsibly support our land-grant schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

NIFA awards two types of grants for land-grant colleges and universities, and Virginia State University was selected to receive both. The school will be given $1,329,697 in four awards through the 1890 Institution Research, Extension and Teaching Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program, which seeks to strengthen linkages among universities, USDA, and private industry.  VSU will also receive $1,066,004 through the 1890 Facilities Grants Program, which provides funds for acquiring and improving food sciences facilities and equipment.

Founded in 1882, Virginia State University is a historically black land-grant university located in Petersburg, Virginia. VSU’s School of Agriculture has three main components, the Agricultural Research Station, Cooperative Extension, and Department of Agriculture and Human Ecology. The school also maintains a 416-acre farm for research and training programs.

To learn more about VSU’s School of Agriculture, please click here to visit their website.