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Congratulations to our Graduates
Advanced Degrees
Ekunday Adeleke, Ph.D., Biological Science Abimbola Allison, Ph.D., Biological Science Devendra Bhandari, Ph.D., Biological Science Shohana Huq, Ph.D., Biological Science Siquin Liu, Ph.D., Biological Science Mahesh Rangu, Ph.D., Biological Science Uzoamaka Abana, M.S. Agricultural Sciences Eze Amadi, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Christopher Anuo, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Binod Gyawali, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Kanita Hutchinson, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Christina Jennings, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Jenna Jones, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Tyler Keene, M.S. Food and Animal Sciences Kyle McGear, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Reneth Millas, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Oladapo Omosa, M.S., Food and Animal Sciences Mathew Smith, M.S., Agricultural Sciences Monica Smith, M.S., Food and Animal Sciences Honey Ummey, M.S., Agricultural Sciences
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Bachelor of Science Agricultural Sciences Dominique Harris Darian Majors Devinn Pauley Kayla Wilson
Bachelor of Science Family & Consumer Sciences
Rasha Aloqail Willie Avery Armada Castillo Madison Eddings Amauri Hatcher Derek Larkin Corey Melson Abdikadir Mohamed
Kanidra Morris Tiara Morton Blair Moses Tommy Norman Keyara Nunn Shalimar Randolph Kemauria Stratton
Bachelor of Science Agricultural Sciences
Undergraduate Class of 2020
Rodney Blackwell, Environmental Science Aniya Bryant, Environmental Science & Urban Studies Gabriel Carrasquillo-Rogue, Biotechnology Taynan Cattozatto, Biotechnology Micah Davis-Bowen, Animal Science Milan Gipson, Food Science & Technology Dominique Harris, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Charmichael Jefferson, Biotechnology Darrius Lawson, Environmental Science Darian Majors, Agribusiness Shakarah Nelson, Environmental Science Devinn Pauley, Animal Science Taylor Pikes, Animal Science Devionia Sanders, Animal Science Kayla Smith, Environmental Science Ryan Smith, Agribusiness Reavan Starks, Food Science & Biotechnology Maggie Syversen, Environmental Science Ashley Warner, Food Science & Biotechnology Emoni White, Agricultural Education Jaresiah Williams, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Daiva Wilson, Biotechnology
Graduate Class of 2020
M.S. in Agricultural Sciences Aron Felts Binod Gyawali Bandana Bhusal Carrie Cook Victoria Deren Molly Elizabeth Gore Samuel Gray Vivek Ojha Wilson Kihugu Ouma Milan Panth Madhav Parajuli Lynda Peter Desiree Robertson
M.S. in Environmental Sciences
Bradley Nissen Emily Nolan Nicole Witzel
M.S. in Food & Animal Sciences
Alicia Aldridge Angela Settles Jordan Jennings Winnie Mulkuna Alexis Pigg
Professional Science Master in Applied GIS Jonathon Dixon
Certificate in Applied GIS Derek Grisby
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences Ekundayo Adeleke Daniel Demissie Siyang Jian Ravneet Kaur Collins Khwatenge Boniface Kimithi Santosh Thapa
Bachelor of Science Family & Consumer Sciences
Fall Class of 2020
Child Development & Family Studies
Tyrani Blaylock Erica Davis Ansona Donelson Brittaney Goddard Makenzye Humphrey Paige Lampkin Anthony Marcie Penny Payne Wayne Smith Cammie West Michelle Williams
Fashion Merchandising
LaDaja Martin Tia McDonald Emaeya Powell
Food & Nutritional Sciences Nasya Jackson Breanna Sanders
Spring Class of 2020
Child Development & Family Studies
Nijaia Bradley Clifford Clayton Onye Crews Kalondria Harper Faith Holmes Sierra Holmes Erica Howse Tia Kent Shamon Rucker Shannon Walton McKenna Willis
Fashion Merchandising
Paris Baker Simon Bishara Randle Evans Mia Montgomery Hawa Muhina Derrick Peevy Shalumar Randolph
Food & Nutritional Sciences LaShayne Wilder MiKaela Wiley
Family & Consumer Sciences Mi’Kaela Harris
Born again!Absence does, in fact, make the heart grow fonder. Especially when it involves breakfast. For years, College of Agriculture alumni would flock together at the Alumni Breakfast traditionally held the morning of the Homecoming parade and big game. William Hayslett, executive director of Academic Programs and Operations, had been a fixture of the breakfast for years cooking up eggs and bacon for years. But in 2107 and 2018, the Homecoming By JOAN KITE and WILLIAM HAYSLETT Extension at the University of Illinois, is part of the alumni activists working to revive the organization. “We started contacting the alumni and started raising money for the breakfast, if funding was an issue,” Reaves said. The attendees raised enough money to cover the cost of the breakfast and set aside extra dollars to help fund scholarships, said Secretary and Treasurer Terri Sneed. They also arranged for the breakfast to be catered so alumni didn’t have to wake up before sunrise to stoke the breakfast fires. This year’s breakfast proved to be a hit. “More than 100 people showed up,” breakfast was canceled. Reaves said. This year, breakfast returned to Saturday’s “The breakfast is an ideal place to reunite agenda and once again, agriculture alumni and fellowship,” said Alumni Organization gathered round. They returned with a President Hugh Jackson of Class of ’73. “It
Alumni revive hungry desire to revive TSU Agriculture Alumni Organization. “I am really supportive of us staying was great to be able to reconnect with a lot of alumni who had been beneficial in my career and see how the actual school has
TSU Agriculture connected,” said Hubert Hamer, member of TSU’s College of Agriculture Class of ’80 and currently the top official in the USDA changed.” Since then, alumni members have been compiling email and mailing lists so they
Alumni National Agricultural Statistics Service. “We really enjoy the alumni breakfast for the ag people and the ag people are very interested can reach out to members regularly to tell them what the college is doing and request their participation and support for current
Organization in getting that organization jump-started. We just want to give back.” James Reaves, a member of the Class students. “We are looking for anyone who graduated in agriculture or family and of 75’ who is now a country director for
ALUMNI, Continued on page 46
Top right: Alumni members gather for a catered breakfast at TSU’s 2019 Homecoming College of Agriculture Alumni breakfast where members revived the inactive Alumni Organization. Top left: Hubert Hamer (center), Class of ’80 and Administrator for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, is pictured with TSU friends Howard Hill (from left), Roy Herron, John Tomlin, and Jeff Hamer. Below: William Hayslett (left) works with students at TSU College of Agriculture. Photos courtesy of Hubert Hamer and William Hayslett
Agriculture Alumni Officers 2020
President
Hugh Jackson Retired USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service retiredtwo@comcast.net
Vice President
Christopher Westbrook Retired USDA Rural Development
Secretary/Treasurer
Terri L. Sneed Special Projects Coordinator USDA/Rural Development
Campus Liaison
William F. Hayslett, Sr. Retired Executive Director Tennessee State University College of Agriculture william.hayslett@comcast.net
Growing up and out
New Farmer Academy training more small farmers East and West
Story and Photos by JOAN KITE
When the New Farmer Academy began in 2014, nine people signed up.
Some of those new farmers from that inaugural class have become locally famous — farmers like Reggie Marshall. Reggie’s Veggies has been featured in numerous print and online publications.
Marshall left a stressful job at a large Nashville hospital to pursue his dream of becoming a farmer. In the New Farmer Academy, he was able to learn the ins and outs of farming from business practices to crop production principles.
Now, his whole family helps grow vegetables and herbs, bake cakes and pies, and make mint tea and lemonade. Marshall sells his goodies at the Nashville Farmers’ Market.
Just as Marshall’s professional life has grown so has the New Farmer Academy.
This past year, more than 50 farmers participated in the 7-month program at TSU’s Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC), located on the main campus in Nashville. The program has also branched out and is now offered in
Finis Stribling Superintendent TSU Cooperative Extension
Memphis in West Tennessee and Wartburg in East Tennessee.
“I’m scared to advertise,” joked Finis Stribling, a third generation farmer who oversees the New Farmer Academy as part of his numerous responsibilities as a Cooperative Extension Superintendent. “It started as a pilot program funded by the USDA and it has grown exponentially.”
In Nashville, the program begins in March and ends in September. Participants meet once a month and spend that whole day focusing on certain topics ranging from soil health, livestock production, fruit and vegetable productions, green house management, hydroponics, marketing strategies, business management skills, and applying for grants and other financial assistance.
The new farmers tour existing farms, looking at different farming practices and production models, and meeting veteran farmers who offer their knowledge and
Top right: Participants in the TSU College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension New Farmer Academy listen to farmer Will Peacher talk about organic farming on his farm, Firefly Farms, located in Indian Mound, Tenn. Bottom right: One of farmer Charles Pecka’s sons explains the production of hydroponic cucumbers at Morning Star Farm in Adams, Tenn. Top left: Charles Pecka, owner of Morning Star Farm, talks with members of the New Farmer Academy. Bottom right: Master Gardener Joan Clayton-Davis introduces herself to the group of 2019 new farmers.
Left: A worker tends to hydroponic cucumber crops at Morning Star Farm in Clarksville, Tennessee. Top: Garlic is being dried in the barn at Firefly Farms. Below: Courtney (left) and Will Peacher are transitioning their farm from tobacco to organic fruits and vegetables.
Courtney Peacher Farmer Firefly Farms
experience and answer any questions.
The new farmers come from all over the United States and heir backgrounds vary widely. Matt Hobson says his family is exploring farming. Brian McDonald, from Orange County, California, is a retired president from an electronics company who wants to settle on an organic farm in Tennessee. Susan Howlett is a retired professor with a 7-acre farm in Giles County. Whitney Shelley is a certified herbalist who is shopping for land to grow her own organic herbs. Master Gardeners husband and wife team Joan Clayton-Davis and Biars Davis are in this year’s class. There are aspiring hemp growers, urban gardeners, beekeepers, and goat owners. They share one commonality; they all want to work the land.
“Farming is addictive,” Stribling warned his class. “Once you’re in, you can’t get out.”
During August’s meeting, the new farmers took tours of Firefly Farm in Indian Mound Tennessee and listened to a community member speak about participating in local farmer’s markets.
Courtney and Will Peacher, of Firefly Farms, met as students at Austin Peay State University. Courtney was studying art and education. Will was studying agriculture.
“We started living together and
Members of the 2019 New Farmers Academy take a group photo at Firefly Farms following a tour of farms in Tennessee.
gardening together,” Courtney Peacher said. “Will grew up on a tobacco farm.”
On their own farm, the couple are transitioning from tobacco to organic fruits and vegetables and run a CSA. Subscribers pay the Peachers a seasonal subscription fee and receive fresh produce through growing season. And they invite schools and other groups to visit their farm to learn about working the land.
“We were thrilled to have you guys visit the farm,” Courtney Peacher said about the new farmers from TSU. “I feel like my education courses have helped me in my interactions with other people teaching them about the farm. We love the education aspect. I hope to have the schools come our more and perhaps do arts and crafts.
The Peachers made it clear to the new farmers that farming is hard work.
“The biggest challenge for us is the enormity of all we want to do. There are so many things we want to learn about and do and only so many hours in the day,” she said.
The participants also toured Morning Star Farm owned by Charles and Myong Pecka. The retired military couple has perfected the art of growing greens and other vegetables in ideal hydroponic and greenhouse conditions.
They sell their produce at Nashville Farmers Market and the Clarksville Farmers Market.
Charles Pecka shares an important similarity with another of TSU’s New Farmer Academy alumnae Charley Jordan. Both are veterans. Jordan has become a leader in the veteran farmers community -- ever present with his service dog Dagger at farm conferences and workshops.
Jordan said veterans make ideal farmers.
“They’re not afraid of hard work or long hours or a seven-days-a-week commitment,” Jordan said. “And you still are in service to your community.”
Jordan owns Circle J. Ranch in Woodlawn, Tennessee, where he grows, vegetables, flowers, and most recently, mushrooms.
TSU New Farmer Academies in East and West Nashville are experiencing similar success and growth. In East Nashville, 25 people signed up for the New Farmer Academy. Topics covered included Hops Production, Managing for Wildlife, Beef Cattle Production and Marketing, Small Ruminant Production (goats and sheep), and Farm Planning and Goal Setting.
Participants in the East Nashville program toured the Forest Research Center, and covered Agritourism visiting a winery, two different hops yards, a pick-your-own operation and a business that rents goats for land clearing.
“Most of (my participants) are looking
