WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA has awarded grants to strengthen the research, teaching and extension capabilities at 18 historically black land-grant colleges and universities in an effort to recruit and train students for careers in agriculture.

"Our 1890 historically black land-grant universities play a critical role teaching students to meet the high quality, innovative research needs that are vital to the wellbeing of our nation's food, fuel and fiber," Vilsack said. "These awards mark a substantial investment in addressing the robust and varied research challenges facing American agriculture today, but more importantly it is also an investment in our future scientists and engineers, farmers and foresters."

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides support to historically black colleges and universities that were designated at as land-grant universities in the Second Morrill Act in 1890. Grants to these 1890 universities support research, extension and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences by building the institutional capacities of these schools.

The 1890 Institution Research, Extension and Teaching Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program strengthens the linkages among the 1890 universities, other colleges and universities, USDA, and private industry. It focuses on advancing cultural diversity in the scientific and professional workforce by attracting and educating more students from underrepresented groups.

The 1890 Facilities Grants Program provides funds for acquiring and improving food sciences facilities and equipment, including libraries. Grants enable 1890 land-grant universities to be well-equipped to fully address research, extension, and academic needs.

In FY 2010, NIFA awarded $32,514,064 through the 1890 CBG Program and $18,979,200 through the 1890 Facilities Grants Program.

FY 2010 1890 CBG awards include:

• Alabama A&M University, Normal, Ala., $1,471,027 (6 awards)
• Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., $2,853,067 (8 awards)
• University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Ark., $1,404,751 (5 awards)
• Delaware State University, Dover, Del., $1,436,438 (7 awards)
• Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla., $3,100,829 (12 awards)
• Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga., $589,767 (3 awards)
• Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky., $1,186,239 (4 awards)
• Southern University, Baton Rouge, La., $2,881,820 (12 awards)
• University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md., $3,498,597 (11 awards)
• Alcorn State University, Lorman, Miss., $929,901 (5 awards)
• Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo., $1,702,913 (4 awards)
• North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, N.C., $2,635,372 (12 awards)
• Langston University, Langston, Okla., $1,911,560 (6 awards)
• South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, S.C., $649,921 (2 awards)
• Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn., $2,910,311 (10 awards)
• Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, $857,931 (4 awards)
• Virginia State University, Petersburg, Va., $1,329,697 (4 awards)
• West Virginia State University, Institute, W.V., $1,163,923 (3 awards)

FY 2010 1890 Facilities Grants include:

• Alabama A&M University, Normal, Ala., 1,049,103
• Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala, $1,049,103
• University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Ark., $972,294
• Delaware State University, Dover, Del., $744,682
• Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla., $982,622
• Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga., $1,105,861
• Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky., $1,220,410
• Southern University, Baton Rouge, La., $912,794
• University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md., $850,069
• Alcorn State University, Lorman, Miss., $977,673
• Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo., $1,243,693
• North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, N.C., $1,235,946
• Langston University, Langston, Okla., $1,032,996
• South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, S.C., $967,310
• Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn., $1,152,844
• Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, $1,546,923
• Virginia State University, Petersburg, Va., $1,066,004
• West Virginia State University, Institute, W.V., $868,873

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).