The Triag, Febuary 2017 Vol. 1 No. 1

College of Agriculture and Human Sciences

February 2017 Vol.1 No.1

Prairie View, TX

Who’s Ready for

2017?

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Events2017

Upcoming

February 23, 2017

Future Farmers of America ( FFA ) Career Development Event ( CDE ) PVAMU Main Campus

Outlook on Agriculture Radio Show Thursdays 1pm ET HBCU Radio – Sirius XM Ch. 142 www.pvamu.edu/ outlookonag

March 7, 2017

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ( HLSR ) NRG Park – College Row

With hosts LaRachelle Smith & Maurice Perkins

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is published

by Prairie View A&M University College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Department of Marketing Communications & Information Technology Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs JAMES PALMER Ph.D. Director of Marketing, Communications & iT LaRachelle Smith Editor and Media & Publications Coordinator Maurice Perkins Photographer/Graphic Designer Michael Thomas Contributing Photographers Maurice Perkins Johnathan Williams

April 3 – 7, 2017

Cooperative Extension Program ( CEP ) State Training Conference Texas

Contributing Writers Maurice Perkins Kelley Redmon India Foster Gail Long Ali Fares, Ph.D. Kwaku Addo, Ph.D. Carolyn Williams, Ph.D. Contributing Proofreader Kelley Redmon

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the EvansAllen 1890 Research Formula Program and the 1890 Extension Formula Program project under Section 1444 and Section 1445. The contents are solely the responsibility of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA or NIFA. Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, PVAMU or the Tri-Ag editor.

News, story ideas and comments should be sent to:

250 E.M. Norris St. | P.O. Box 519, MS 2001 Prairie View, TX 77446 cahscomm@pvamu.edu

April 28, 2017

Agricultural Field Day ( Ag Field Day )

This publication available electronically www.pvamu.edu/cahs/e-publications

www.pvamu.edu/cahs

Governor Bill & Vara Daniel Farm, PVAMU

Upcoming Events Be sure to complete your Program Planning Approval Form at least 6 months in advance to have your program/event included here.

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Current Locations Prospective Locations

140 years Alumni Come Home

CAHS Faculty Recognized in ‘Class of Forty Under 40’ Kwaku Addo, Ph.D. Andrea McDonald, Instructor in the Human Nutrition and

Foods program, was recognized as a member of Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) inaugural class of Forty under 40 awardees.

The award celebrated forty PVAMU emerging leaders who have blazed a trail in their respective fields and who received their start on “the Hill.” The selected individuals share a commitment to excellence and use the “PVAMU Experience” to impact communities.

McDonald graduated from PVAMU with an undergraduate degree in Dietetics in 2007, pursued post baccalaureate work through the Dietetics Internship, and finished her MS in Human Sciences in 2009. She earned her PhD in Health Education from Texas A&M University in 2015.

Hundreds Gather for the Lindsey Weatherspoon Agriculture Breakfast

A Gown & Crown Achievement

James Palmer, Ph.D Over three-hundred

alumni and friends gathered for The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) 2016 Lindsey Weatherspoon Agriculture Breakfast during Homecoming Week. The Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology’s co-organizers Tenelnger Abrom-Johnson and Jacklyn Sanders pulled together current students Raymond and Russell Thomas and CAHS alumna Zelia Wiley to share their CAHS stories and reflections. A generous donation was presented to the CAHS by Agriculture Alumni Chapter President, E. W. Wesley.

Richard Griffin, Professor and Research Scientist, served as the event moderator and introduced MANRRS president Tiffany Latin for the Invocation and James M. Palmer, Interim Dean, for College updates. Maurice Perkins, DOMCiT Media Coordinator, presented The Lindsey Weatherspoon Progressive Young Professional and the Alfred N. Poindexter Lifetime Professional Achievement awards during the event.

The two awards honor these legends of the CAHS by recognizing the hard work of the alumni who they inspired. This year’s award recipients were Mr. Floyd Nauls, Jr., and Aziza Glass, DVM. The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) prepared the breakfast under the direction of advisor, Beverly Copeland, Assistant Professor of Nutrition.

Weatherspoon’s daughter, Vanessa, expressed her appreciation to the faculty and staff, saying, “We definitely felt the love and appreciation for my father – and everything was done with such a spirit of excellence!”

By kelly redmon Prairie View A&M University’s homecoming draws former

students, family and friends for the game, the parties, the step show and various other events ensuring a unique experience. The coronation of the campus king and queen is always a main focus along with the presentation of the royal court. The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences had a remarkable showing of its majors as Mr. & Ms. MANNRS Phillip Harris and Arionne Patterson, Mr. & Ms. Pre-Vet Club Chris Jennings and Brianna Barnett as well as Mr. & Ms. Livestock Club Bryce Peterson and Kamry Scott, while Mr. Regan Johnson, human nutrition and food major, wooed his peers as king of the junior class. As junior class king, Regan said, “It is all about uniting and inspiring my peers and the broader community with empowerment and determination to move toward a unified vision of service to humanity. This platform gives life to the college so people will see the leaders that reside within the students of CAHS.”

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Kelley Redmon Arionne Patterson, junior Agriculture major

from Fresno, CA, was among 35 Prairie View A&M University students chosen to attend the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, September 21-25. Paterson is a USDA 1890 Scholar and is very active in campus organizations and activities.

Students were selected by President George C. Wright and Dr. Felecia M. Nave based on grades, personality, character, communication skills and enthusiasm. “I want to be a motivating factor and a positive role model to encourage other students to break out of the norm and experience the endless possibilities there are when you realize your own potential through what the school has to offer,� said Patterson when asked how she felt about this historic and unique opportunity.

Studentsuccess

CAHS Represented in Washington DC at National Museum Grand Opening

Students Attend 100 Ranchers Beef Cattle Selection Workshop James Palmer, Ph.d Six Agriculture majors pursuing concentrations in Animal Science traveled to

Oakwood, Texas, to attend the 100 Ranchers Beef Cattle Selection Workshop. The student participants have attended three events sponsored by this community based organization. Traveling with these students were Billy Lawton, Program Leader, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Program; Alfred L. Parks, Professor of Agriculture Economics; Horace Hodge, 1890 Program Liaison, Prairie View A&M University; and Cory Hicks, County Agent, Crockett, TX. Kimberly Ratcliff, President of the 100 Ranchers, Inc., credits the PVAMU partnership for the success of its outreach and educational efforts.

CAHS Student Employees Attend Workplace Etiquette Seminar Gail Long Approximately 50 student employees working in the College of Agriculture

and Human Sciences (CAHS) participated in a Workplace Etiquette Seminar on September 26th and 27th. Gail Long, Assistant Director for Staff Development and Special Projects and Laura Carson, Director for Compliance, Undergraduate Research and Student Success, spearheaded the seminar featuring topics on proper business etiquette including professional image, customer service, workplace communication, networking and required research trainings. Priscilla Johnson from PVAMU Career Services shared internship opportunities and the benefits of working with the Career Services Department. Kendall Woods, Network Manager with the Information Technology office, was also on hand to give an overview of the updated telephone system. How students present themselves to others in a business environment speaks volumes. This seminar equipped them with professional standards that will bring success and contentment in their careers.

The student employees work in various units of the CAHS including Academics, Extension and Research. This seminar was also a forum for the students to meet and network with other students whom they had not yet met in the College.

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Extension Housing Fair Helps Homeowners James Palmer, Ph.D. Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs

The Cooperative Extension Program held its 4th Annual Housing Fair this past spring. Although heavy flooding prevented a large turnout, there were 67 attendees. Nine industry groups were on hand at the fair to educate the public about programs available. Participants found especially useful the information regarding the annual federal income tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualified homebuyers for every year they occupy the home as a primary residence. Useful information can still be obtained from Christopher Cotton, Program Specialist, Community and Economic Development, at 936-261-5107.

Businesses in Development make BIDs at the Texas Fair Carolyn J. Williams, Ph.D. Associate Administrator, Cooperative Extension Program Business Texas Style Bid Fair” is the largest premier business expo in the southwest. The Bid Fair links minority owned businesses with corporations, public sector agencies and prime federal suppliers giving them opportunities they may not have otherwise enjoyed without this unique ability to directly connect with this network of prime customers.

Businesses attending the statewide HUB Program are provided an opportunity to build relationships and submit bid proposals on-site.

Community & Economic Development (CED) Specialist from Prairie View A&M University’s Cooperative Extension Program, Mr. Lloyd Hebert, held one of the 12-course curriculum classes in Irving, Texas, where participant’s met with purchasing agents from across the state. With his wealth of knowledge and years of experience in the industry, Mr. Hebert, walked participant business owners through the steps of how to engage these agencies with tips and best practices that would increase their success.

Over 12-weeks of preparation, seventeen small businesses were established by the CED Small Business and Development Course. While attending the Bid Fair, 3 of the 21 bids submitted by the new businesses were awarded. One participant even completed a proposal for Lamar University that could be awarded $180,000 to fund his venture and launch a potential partnership that will brighten the future for not only his business, but his family and the community.

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CEP County Agent Makes Front Page News Danielle Hairston-Green, Ph.D

Bell County Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) agent and Registered Dietician Sheryl Austin was featured on the front page of the Food Section in the Temple Daily Telegram.

The article highlighted Austin’s recent cooking class.

Prairie View A&M University’s CEP partnership with Oldways, Inc, has allowed extension agents in Dallas, Bell, and Waller counties an opportunity to facilitate and provide train-the-trainer courses for community members across the state. A Taste of African Heritage (ATOAH) brings the African Heritage Diet Pyramid to life, showing people how to eat and cook healthfully, traditionally, and enjoyably through hands-on experience. The program introduces participants to the rich cultural history of African heritage foods with lesson plans that simultaneously teach history, nutrition, and cooking techniques. It provides them all the tools and techniques they need to adopt this traditional way of eating for better health in modern day life.

Anyone interested in participating in ATOAH cooking classes can do so by contacting a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program Specialist, Danielle HairstonGreen, Ph.D at dyhairstongreen@pvamu.edu.

Cooperative Extension program

at work

Family & Consumer Sciences Program Staff Attend National Meeting Dawn Burton The National Extension Association of Family & Consumer

Sciences (NEAFCS) held its 2016 annual meeting September 12-15 in Big Sky, Montana. NEAFCS educates and recognizes Extension professionals who improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. Originally known in 1933 as the National Home Demonstration Agents’ Association, NEAFCS has a rich history of educating people in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences. Today, members in the organization provide education in a variety of topics directly related to:  Food preparation, food safety and nutrition  Financial Management  Healthy Lifestyles  Home & work environment and safety  Relationship and parenting skills  Discover new frontiers in research and information.  Engage with colleagues to expand program impacts.  Connect to strengthen the vitality of individuals, families and communities.

This year’s theme was “Network, Grow, and Succeed.” Concurrent and in-depth sessions and exhibit forums reinforced the theme. The opening keynote speaker, Waded Cruzado, President of Montana State University, inspired the audience with her speech on the role of the public university. President Cruzado presented a brief history of her in-depth understanding of the Morrill Act, which created the land-grant university system 150 years ago. She championed the land-grant’s tripartite mission of education, research and public outreach, as well as the important role higher education plays in the development of individuals and the prosperity of the nation. Cruzado gave clear examples of how Montana State benefits from the work of Extension.

The 2016 Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) State Program Leaders met with Caroline E. Crocoll, Director of the Division of Family & Consumer Sciences at USDA NIFA. In addition, updates on Family Well-Being and Community Vitality were provided by Beverly Samuel, National Program Leader. Updates were also given by partners from other FCS constituents including the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, Board of Human Sciences, Council of Administrators of Family & Consumer Sciences, Alliance for Family & Consumer Sciences and Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). This year, 55 conference participants from Texas attended “State Night Out” hosted by Doug Steele, Director Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Conference attendees from Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension included: County Agents Kashara Shelton and Stephanie Salinas, Program Specialists Sabrina Simon and Dawn E. Burton, and Program Leader Jacquelyn White.

To learn more about the Cooperative Extension Program, visit the CAHS website at www.pvamu.edu/CEP. The Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University is funded by the National Institute for Food & Agriculture (NIFA) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 1890 Extension Formula Program supports extension education programs that respond to the changing needs of limited resource clientele and underserved populations.

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Cmmunications

corner

The Award-Winning DOMCiT

Set to Win Gold

So much took place in 2016 in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS): increased student enrollment, shared research and numerous extension programs. The Department of Marketing, Communications and Information Technology (DOMCiT) provided support to over 450 service requests and 35 programs on the main campus, provided services in the areas of marketing and web communications, information technology, stakeholder outreach along with mentoring. DOMCiT decided to review the year in top 10 moments of CAHS.

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Weekly Research Seminar Series

The DOMCiT kept live streaming active and worked diligently to keep stakeholders informed. The Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) continued to host relevant guests from across the country, such as Dr. Casimir Akoh (Washington State University), Robert Brummett (Texas A&M University) and local researchers Dr. Leroy Davis, Dr. Wided Hemissi and Dr. Raghava Kommalapati to name a few. Each week the DOMCiT crew disseminated these awesome seminars to desktops and cellphones across the country.

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Tri-Ag

In the effort to share CAHS developments and upcoming events, Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Department of Marketing, Communications & IT addressed the impact of work within the CAHS. Winning the highest possible accolades from the Association for Communication History, Excellence in Culture, Agriculture, Natural . tradition Sciences, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE), DOMCiT did it’s best to keep the entire college informed.

College of

Agriculture

n Sciences

and Huma

TX Prair ie View,

February 2016

Vol.1 No.8

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Outlook on Agriculture

Kicking off Season 5 of the award-winning (ACE) radio broadcast, the DOMCiT saw some exciting advancements. In 2016, the production team added its newest broadcast studio in the new Ag-COB Multi-purpose building. Even though the studio only entered into the first phase of design and equipment setup, Outlook on Agriculture interviewed ‘#SpecialAgent1876’ mini-series Cooperative Extension Program Agents, Dr. Richard Griffin as he discussed the Saharan dust research and notable alumni as they discussed leadership development and other ideas related to agriculture. In addition, the new studio aided students of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Leadership Development Event’s Broadcast Judging competition.

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FFA Convention

In order to effectively communicate with the college’s stakeholders, DOMCiT traveled across the country (Washington, DC, Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, etc.) to connect with and interface with them personally. For instance, the crew packed up and journeyed for the annual State Convention in Texas.. Due to the FFA partnership and nurturing of high school students and convention attendance, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) increased enrollment within in the CAHS. In 2016, DOMCiT went to Dallas, Texas and touched over 1,000 students preparing them for their agriculture and human sciences future.

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Goat Competition

Similar to the interaction of the FFA Convention, the DOMCiT was responsible for different aspects of Prairie View A&M University’s presence at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Not only representing the CAHS, DOMCiT represented the entire university-from March 1st to 20th, reaching over 50,000 participants. DOMCiT arranged the display design, setup and operation.

At the HLSR event, CAHS Livestock CLub placed 1st in a number of events, including Open Alpine Show (goats).

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Orange County Video Project for Community and Economic Development

Since 1914, PVAMU’s Cooperative Extension Program delivered practical research-based knowledge to small farm producers, families, youths and aspiring entrepreneurs. The year, 2016, offered DOMCiT the opportunity to visit a landowner in Orange County to chronologize the collaboration of CAHS’ Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Community and Economic Development units developing solutions to help save his land. The visit inspired an informative video, which shared the impactful journey.

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Social Media and Web Content

DOMCiT expands its reach, by communicating through a variety of technology tools. In 2016, DOMCiT increased its use of social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), e-blasts and webpage content to over 90,000 stakeholders.

DOMCiT launched the online Program Planning Approval Form (PPAF) in 2016, and anticipates a 2017 gold ACE award.

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2nd Annual 1890’s Communications Summit

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Student Leadership Apprentice Program

Prairie View A&M University's College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Department of Marketing, Communications & iT conceptualized and created the annual 1890's Communications Summit.

Every 1890 Land-Grant University’s agriculture and human/life sciences communications unit collaborated on ideas and techniques to better support the land-grant mission. PVAMU hosted the 2nd annual event as Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Virginia Bueno, Communications Director of USDA addressed the communications professionals.

Grooming our next agriculture leaders is the primary mission of the SLAP program founded by the Director of Communications and Program Specialist LaRachelle Smith and Danielle Y. Hairston-Green. This year SLAP increased their apprentice participants by more while collaborating with other campus departments like the SBDC and the College to engage the apprentices in various topics, including setting and advocacy agenda, ethics, and identifying core values. The students ended their semester by completing their Personal/Professional Leadership Plan, identifying a mentor, and preparing to kick off their capstone project, SLAPtalk in April of 2017.

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Ag-COB Multi-purpose Building

The most talked about event in 2016 was the opening of the new Agriculture-College of Business Multipurpose Building. The 89,000 squarefoot, four-story facility includes a 400-seat theater-style auditorium and a 400 square-foot student lounge.

The DOMCiT unit was instrumental in equipping the building with state-ofthe-art technology within the lobby areas and classrooms.

College of Agriculture and Human Sciences

F l ash b ac k

CAHS Apprentices Encouraged to take

Calculated Risks

T

Danielle Hairston-Green Ph.D he Student Leadership Apprentice Program (SLAP) had an exciting September

with excellent speakers and networking opportunities. Ali Fares, SLAP Executive Mentor, and Associate Director for Research in the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, engaged the students in a meaningful discussion focused on the importance of setting a professional agenda and the impact that creativity has on their career advancement. Fares shared insight about taking calculated risks: “All great innovators have to stare fear in the face at some point, but they’ll tell you that true innovation begins when failure no longer frightens.” The students were also challenged to share a 2-minute video discussing their core values and to express their thoughts and opinions about their experience in the SLAP program. One apprentice shared “I’m glad I took advantage of this opportunity. I can see the benefits already.”

Kwaku Addo, SLAP Executive Mentor and Associate Director for Academic Programs and Department Head, closed the month out with a presentation titled “Assessing Leadership Skills”. His session focused on helping students to discover their leadership style, understand the impact of emotional intelligence and identifying and restraining unethical behaviors. Addo shared a quote by Sheri L. Drew, American author and publisher, “True leaders understand that leadership is not about them but about those they serve. It is not about exalting themselves but about lifting others up.” The apprentices walked away feeling empowered and excited about their upcoming lectures.

The next discussion will be held on October 21, 2016. LaRachelle Smith and Danielle Y. Hairston Green, SLAP Co-Advisors, will present a talk titled “Clarifying Your Vision and Critical Thinking”. This session is designed to help the apprentices set a course to follow and identity what they want to accomplish by implementing change or supporting a cause in their community or university.

The SLAP is a research project designed to help students interested in careers in Agriculture develop key non-cognitive skills that are essential to early career success.

Living Your Best Life with Total You Wellness 10

student leadership

healthy living According to Susan Combs, former Texas Comptroller, in 2009 there were 2.4 million more obese adults in American than in 2007. During that same year, Texas achieved the unhealthy distinction of having 66.6% of all adult Texans overweight or obese. Obesity cost Texas businesses $9.5 billion in 2009. The comptroller reports also indicate that if the current trends in obesity continue and heath care costs continue to rise, the obesity trend could cost Texas businesses $32.5 billion annually by 2030.

Living Your Best Life with Total You Wellness Due to rising insurance costs, businesses across the country are seeking to implement worksite wellness initiatives to engage their employees in meaningful discussions, activities, and projects and programs to improve employees’ overall health. In addition, universities have also turned towards addressing the health care needs of their students by providing opportunities that are afforded to their staff and faculty.

The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) attempts to address obesity by implementing the Total You Wellness (TYW) Lecture Series with a participant reach of over 10,000 individuals. The TYW series was initiated in 2012 to provide opportunities for faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community to make better decisions about their overall health. The subject matter consists of topics related to physical health, nutritional health, mental health, financial health and technology health. This will be the fourth year that CEP has offered these free lectures.

TYW implements 40 workshops a year. The sessions on campus, and at many of the other venues, take place during the lunch hour. The series of lectures are presented in collaboration with the Human Resources Department and Intramural and Recreation Sports. Funded by the Chancellors Wellness Initiative, TYW receives over $3,000 annually for incentives and educational materials. As of February 2016, Temple, Texas has adopted the TYW series as monthly “lunch and learn” professional development for its city employees. L.N. Jones Outreach Ministries, Inc. has implemented TYW as the core learning modules for their City of Brookshire Health & Wellness community Program in Waller County, and CareNet, a center for homeless pregnant moms in McClennan county, is preparing to implement TYW as added value to their clients’ list of services.

Prairie View A&M University is the home of many talented faculty, staff, and students who volunteer their time as presenters.

TYW provides everyone a platform to share their skills. Secretaries, students, coaches, and farm managers have presented on topics ranging from “Couponing and Shopping on a Budget” to “Conflict Management in the Workplace.” In addition, faculty/staff facilitators support those in the community to live their best life.

by Danielle Y. Hairston-Green, PhD, Program Specialist, dyhairstongreen@pvamu.edu

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foreignAlliances

CAHS Faculty Conduct Jamaica Study Abroad Site Visit James Palmer, Ph.D. Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs

Dr. Wash A. Jones and Dr. Beverly Copeland, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) faculty members, participated in a study abroad site visit to Jamaica this summer as part of the College’s efforts to increase study abroad opportunities. During the site visit, the duo met with representatives from three institutions to discuss joint ventures with mutual benefit to Prairie View A&M University and the respective Jamaican host institution.

Proposed host institutions will be the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, Shortwood Teachers’ College in Kingston and Ebony Park Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust Academy in Clarendon, Jamaica.

Jones and Copeland anticipate establishing the study abroad program to Jamaica beginning in summer 2017. Student participants would receive three semester credit hours through a respective course in nutrition or agriculture for participation in the program. All interested university students would be eligible to participate in the study abroad program. The site visit was funded through a travel grant from the PVAMU Office of International Programs with additional funds from the CAHS.

CAHS Participates in Borlaug Institute’s Central American Summit James Palmer, Ph.D.

The Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University sponsored the 2016 Central America Summit on June 27-29. The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences was represented

by Drs. Rahmat Attaie, William Foxworth, Gary R. Newton, Deland Meyers, and Ali Fares. Special Assistant Evie Myers also participated in this summit.

This event brought together leaders of the region and key members of the development community to outline innovative strategies for forging a strong future for Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Cross at the Santuario de San Salvador

Pyramid in Pre-Colum

bian Old Ci ty Copan , H onduras

Summit speakers included Ministers of Agriculture, key private sector and NGO leaders, and academic representatives from the three countries, along with representatives of international donor agencies, including USAID and the InterAmerican Development Bank. Congresswoman Kay Granger, who chairs the House of Representatives’ State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the keynote address.

The summit explored innovative roles for capacity building, infrastructure, resilience and natural resource management, public policies, partnerships and other forces critical to forging new approaches for creating a more robust and resilient future for all in the region. atemala Antigua , Gu

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B

rothers Raymond and Russell Thomas share more than just last names and Eagle Scout honors. They are both proud recipients of support from the USDA National Scholars Program and students in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS), entering in 2014 and 2016 respectively. Although Russell began this fall, he has seen himself as a Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) student for over six years. Older brother Roger graduated from PVAMU as Mr. PV and a Presidential Scholar and is a source of inspiration for both Raymond and Russell.

Russell looked especially at his brother Raymond’s experience with USDA for inspiration. “Raymond, showed me that through hard work and dedication, nothing is impossible,” he said. “As I saw him going through the USDA 1890 process, I knew I wanted it as well.”

Raymond said that he knows his brother encounters an academically challenging environment at PVAMU, but both will do well because their parents instilled principles for overcoming any obstacle. “Course work will be more rigorous than in high school, but my brother is very motivated and has a wide variety of interests.

Although the Thomas boys do not fit the general mold of most college students, the wide variety of interests we have, make us relatable to everyone.”

Kelley Redmon, Communications Specialist

The Legacy

Continues with the

Thomas Brothers Scholars 13

College of Agriculture breakfast

F l ash b ac k

NIFA Big Data Summit Presents Opportunity Ali Fares, Ph.D. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) convened the Data Science in Agriculture Summit, October 10th 2016 in Chicago to identify the frontiers and future of data in agriculture and build on existing U.S. government wide-efforts and investments in Big Data. In addition to NIFA staff, experts in agriculture and data science fields converged to synthesize the future of data-driven agriculture and to help shape the agenda driving innovation in agricultural enterprises. Ali Fares, Interim Associate Director of Research, participated along with colleagues from other Land Grant Universities.

Awal Shares Drone Technology Uses with Landrum Elementary Ali Fares, Ph.D. Cooperative Agriculture Research Center (CARC) Research Scientist

Ripendra Awal shared advances in drone technology for agriculture use with about 80 fourth and fifth graders of Landrum Elementary, in San Benito, TX, on October 5. Participating in National Youth Science Day celebration, Awal lectured on drone use and their importance.

Awal’s presentation was covered by the Valley Morning Star.

Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA Director, was present during the summit and gave a talk titled “Cyber informatics and Tools Initiative.”

He stressed the need for this initiative and the opportunities it presents to many players in this area including academic institutions.

Six breakout sessions were convened to answer important questions on next steps. It’s anticipated that NIFA will be funding researchers in this area, which presents an opportunity for entities across the PVAMU to collaborate on issues related to data science.

Web-Based Tool to Estimate Water Requirements to be Released James Palmer, Ph.D. Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs

Developing a web-based tool to estimate irrigation water requirements for agricultural crops and urban landscape in Texas was the subject of a presentation given by Research Scientist Ripendra Awal and co-authored by Dr. Ali Fares, Interim Associate Director of Research, at a meeting of the American Society of Nepalese Engineers held in Houston, TX, on September 17. A user friendly Web APP will soon be available on different smart device platforms such as Android and Apple. The user can select the location on the map for which s/he would like to establish an irrigation schedule program (e.g. a crop in the field or a turf of a home lawn) based on the site’s specific information (crop type, soil type, rainfall, irrigation system, and time of the year). The APP retrieves all needed information from different online databases and displays the corresponding irrigation scheduling program in graphic and text formats. This work fulfils one of the objectives of the multistate Scaling Micro-Irrigation Technologies to Address the Global Water Challenge Project W3128. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a member with several other land grant institutions. Fares has been a member of this group since 2003 and has represented PVAMU since 2013. The Microirrigation Working group, W3128 was the recipient of the 2014 Excellence in Multistate Research Award from the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) of the Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

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Managing Giant Sequoia in a Changing Climate Ali Fares, Ph.D. Increasing temperatures due to climate change

over the next several decades may create conditions unfavorable for giant sequoias; thus, it is necessary to develop effective management systems to preserve the health of these trees and help them weather adverse climatic conditions. Dr. Ram Ray, Research Scientist, calculated the topographic wetness indices (TWI) for 70 sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada, California based on digital elevation model. TWI results were compared with satellite soil moisture and snow cover data to develop soil moisture stress maps.

Results showed that sequoia groves located at higher elevation are less vulnerable to moisture stress than those at lower elevations. This analysis can be used to highlight groves that are potentially more vulnerable to soil moisture stress (under a changing climate), particularly by considering TWI, snow cover persistence, and satellite soil moisture together. Ray conducted this research during his tenure at the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California at Merced. More details about this work can be found in the recently accepted article “Research Moisture Stress Indicators in Giant Sequoia Groves in the Southern Sierra Nevada of California, USA� in Vadose Zone Journal of the Soil Science Society of America.

Research Impacting

Texas Research Leader Invited to Serve on Editorial Board James Palmer, Ph.D. Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs

Dr. Gary Newton, Research Leader of the Animal Science System, was invited to serve a three-year term on the Editorial Board of Domestic Animal Endocrinology beginning July 2016. The journal covers the entire spectrum of endocrinology at the whole animal, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels, with a focus on domestic species. Newton previously served as Associate Editor of Reproductive Physiology for Small Ruminant Research from January 2012 to December 2014 and as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Animal Science from 2005 to 2007.

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Donating to the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences will help its student organizations, and is tax deductible. Your gift will provide assistance with increasing our students’ ability to compete in collegiate competitions as well as support their community commitment. These agriculture and human sciences organizations develop soft skills that will prove valuable for their future careers. Your donations will aid in the education of deserving students who are pursing careers in the agricultural and human sciences sectors.

Remember your gift is tax-deductible and no amount is too small.

Thank you for your support.

You are the CAHS of Change!

Easy donation Options Mail a check Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building 250 E.M. Norris Street P.O. Box 519; MS 2001 Attn: LWAB Coordinator Prairie View, TX 77446

Visit us online

www.pvamu.edu/cahs Click on ‘Opportunities’ Go to ‘Ways to Give’

Access us directly Using this QR Code

Thank you!

Robert Woodie McClennon Jr. Agriculture, Animal Science Alumnus

College of Agriculture and Human Sciences

www.pvamu.edu/cahs

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COL LE GE OF AGR ICULTURE AND HUM AN SC I E NCE S