24 minute read
Dean elected to chair ARD
NEW FARMER, From page 14
for niche crop opportunities and ideas that would allow them to products and sell at a premium despite a smaller land base,” said East Nashville coordinator and Extension Agent Jenni Goodrich.
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“Most participants also have had a goal of including the wildlife/pollinator component in their farms plans so that one has also become a standard topic as well,” Goodrich said.
Those interested in signing up for the program may want to do so early.
The Nashville Academy already has a waiting list of 15 participants.
The New Farmer Academy is a 7-month certification program that begins in March and ends in September of 2021. Participants meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. once a month. Registration is $175 and covers materials, lunches and snacks for all 7 workshop dates.
To register, contact:
Finish Stribling, III Middle Tennessee/Nashville fstribling@tnstate.edu (931) 375-5301
Jenni Goodrich East Tennessee/Wartburg (423) 346-3000 jgoodri2@tnstate.edu
Jo Anne Waterman West Tennessee/Memphis (901) 752-1207 jwaterm1@tnstate.edu
Dr. Chandra Reddy elected as Chair of the Association of 1890 Research Directors
By JOAN KITE
Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of College of Agriculture and Director of Research/ Administrator of Extension at Tennessee State University, has been elected as the Chair of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, a respected organization of nineteen 1890 land-grant universities that provides coordination of research initiatives among member 1890 institutions in cooperation with federal, state, and private partners. All of his immediate ARD colleagues described him as an excellent collaborator who could reach across tables and encourage people to work together. Dr. Alton Thompson, the non-elected Executive Director of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, said Reddy is an excellent choice for leading ARD. “He’s thoughtful. He’s done a great job at leading the program at TSU. I’ve seen a marked improvement over there in the collaborative research,” said Dr. Thompson, who was also former dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. “He’s brought that same collaborative spurt to the 19 universities in the ARD.” “Dr. Chandra Reddy will assume the role of ARD Chair,” wrote the previous chair Dr. Vernon Jones, associate dean of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Langston University, in the October 2020 ARD newsletter. Dr. Reddy “is well experienced, knowledgeable, and a proven leader. ARD will be in very capable hands.” Dr. Reddy said he is already looking toward his new responsibilities, preparing for the next Farm Bill in 2023, promoting the accomplishments of the 1890s through symposiums, and seeing that 1890s’ interests and gains remain protected through legislation while seeking new opportunities in Congress and leading collectively. Dr. Thompson noted that he met Dr. Reddy while Dr. Reddy was the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Alabama A&M. “I’ve known him for 20 years,” Dr. Thompson said. Hence, his assuredness that he has a winner at the ARD helm. This year, Dr. Reddy was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Agriculture Future of America, a national program since 2000 that provides premiere professional and personal development programs for college and young professionals in agriculture. Dr. Reddy is recognized both internationally and nationally for his work in agriculture. In 2018, Dr. Reddy was inducted to the TSU Agriculture and Human Sciences Hall of Fame. In 2013, he received the USDA/NIFA Partnership Award for Effective and Efficient Use of Resources, and in 2012, he was recognized by a House Joint Resolution from the Tennessee State Legislature for his outstanding contributions to Tennessee State University. In 2008, he earned the George Washington Carver Agricultural Excellence Award sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development for his impact on research and institution-building efforts in Africa.
Running Wild Wisely
TSU, Nashville Zoo forge new internship program
Emmanuel Wallace attracts the attention of one of five red-ruffed lemurs, a member of the primate family. Wallace observes one in particular who is demonstrating possible superstitious behavior by scaling a certain part of his enclosure at a specific time of day every day. Photo by Emmanuel Wallace
Because of the pandemic, Cierra Woods works from home in Columbia, South Carolina. As the team’s researcher, she studies similar species at other zoos to determine if those animal suffer from similar ailments or engage in similar behaviors.
By JOAN KITE
Through a brand-new internship program created by a TSU College of Agriculture administrator and the Nashville Zoo Schools Program Manager, three agriculture students are spending their days researching giraffes, a tiger, and red-ruffed lemurs at the Nashville Zoo. Because of the pandemic, one of the students, Sophomore Cierra Woods, 19, is spearheading the TSU student research team from her home in South Carolina. All of the students said they are loving the experience. “Ultimately I want to get a degree in Animal Science and travel the world and focus on primates,” said Senior student Miette Glover, 21. The red-ruffed lemurs she observes at the Zoo are part of the primate family. Emilio, one of the lemurs, “gallops” upward toward a specific area of its enclosure every day between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., Glover said. “He skyrockets to the top of his cage three or four times,” Glover said. “I take detailed notes and record how many times he does it.” The third intern, Junior student Emmanuel Wallace, 20, also spends his time observing the animals including the fourth oldest giraffe in captivity, Congo. Congo has arthritic hooves, which compel him to
Miette Glover feeds the Masai giraffes at the Nashville Zoo Giraffe House, where she spends time observing Congo, the fourth oldest giraffe in captivity. Congo suffers from arthritis in his hooves and spends much of his time leaning against trees and other objects that will support him, Glover said.
lean against trees and other stable areas of his enclosure. Wallace notes that despite his ailment, the giraffe has managed to father eight or nine children during his stay at the Zoo.
Wallace, Glover, and Woods are able to participate in and get paid to work in this internship program because of the efforts of Dr. De’Etra Young, interim associate dean of Academics and Land-grant Programs, who was seeking to renew a grant from the Dan & Margaret Maddox Fund. Aside from grants supporting education and marginalized youth, the fund also supports wildlife conservation and the College of Agriculture had an existing contact with the Zoo through Dr. Bill Sutton’s work with the Hellbender, an endangered amphibian. One phone call, text, and email led to more and soon Dr. Young was speaking with Thaisa Bell, the School Programs Manager at the Nashville Zoo. Some of the internship program brainstorming occurred over What’sApp while Dr. Young was in Jordan attending a sustainability faculty development seminar conference. Dr. Young is excited about the new partnership with the Nashville Zoo. “The Zoo provides the College of Agriculture with an additional experiential learning opportunity,” Dr. Young said. “We are constantly seeking to provide opportunities that will adequately prepare our students for the workforce or graduate programs. We would like to thank both the Nashville Zoo and the Dan & Margaret Maddox Fund for this opportunity.” Ms. Bell agreed. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with one of our neighboring universities,” Ms. Bell said. “We seek to provide opportunities for college students in the animal sciences as they explore possible zoo careers.”
The Nashville Zoo Internship Program adds to a growing and attractive list of programs offered by the College of Agriculture for students interested in animal science. The College has added a path to earn a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, and has partnered with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine to create a program that ensures TSU students can earn the education needed to become a veterinarian — like Wallace, Glover, and Woods who are considering such a career path. Bell is currently accepting applications for the Summer Semester, which are due by March 1, 2021. Fall Semester applications are due by July 1, 2021. Visit https://www. nashvillezoo.org/jobsinternships for more information.
Dr. Young expects the program to grow. This semester, three students were placed. She expects to place five students next semester. She would like to see a TSU graduate working at the Nashville Zoo one day. Meanwhile, the three interns today are collaborating and preparing their research for a presentation this month. Woods has been contacting other zoos to gather information about their giraffes, tigers, and red-ruffed lemurs. She is considering applying for the internship a second time when she is on campus and can actually go to the Zoo. So is Glover, who says she really wants to work with primates in particular. All of the students credit Dr. Young, Keisha Macklin, Dr. Carollyn Boykins, Dr. Richard Browning, and Thaisa Bell, of the Nashville Zoo, for influencing their educational paths.
Bank ‘Suntrust now Truist’ funds education for four ag students
By Joan Kite
Four Tennessee State University (TSU) freshmen intent on pursuing careers in agribusiness or food and agriculture science have been named SunTrust now Truist John W. Boyd Scholars. They will have the opportunity for scholarships through their next four years at TSU’s College of Agriculture. John W. Boyd, an attorney, was selected as the scholarship’s namesake. He was one of the first African Americans to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly.
The TSU students selected for the scholarships are: Janai Bryant of Nashville, Tennessee; Ashlynn Freeman of Kansas City, Kansas; Aisha Williams of Tuskeegee, Alabama and Jon Wakefield of Bartlett, Tennessee.
“We are so thankful to SunTrust now Truist for their investment in our agribusiness students through this amazing scholarship opportunity,” said Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture. “This not only helps graduate outstanding minority students in agriculture, but also helps connect them to the banking sector which plays a vital role in farm financing, agricultural commodities trading, and food-related supply chain businesses.”
The College’s Agribusiness faculty reviewed the applications and selected the four students. Dr. De’Etra Young, who is the interim associate dean of Academics & Land-grant Programs, helped the young freshmen connect to the mid-COVID-19 university environment, which has been calm compared to other “hotspot” college towns.
From left to right: Aisha Williams poses with her mother, Lennora Perroit. Above: Ashlynn Freeman wants to help those living in food deserts. Above right: Jenai Bryant. Bottom right: Jon Wakefield. All four students are “Suntrust, Now Truist” scholars. Photos courtesy of the students.
Freeman, 18, describes her eventual arrival to TSU as a serendipitous journey.
“Agriculture was not discussed in my city,” Freeman said. “Where I was introduced to agriculture in high school was at ag discovery camp at the University of Arkansas. After that, we went to this place called Heifer Ranch, where we were placed in simulation homes that would be the environments in different countries. I got placed in the slums with poisonous animals. I had to scavenge for food. I will forever appreciate the experience.”
Today, she recognizes that she knows many who live in urban food deserts.
“What I want to do as an agribusiness major is create healthy grocery stores in existing food deserts,” Freeman said. “I also want to be involved in some type of politics to create reform in agriculture.
For more information, contact Dr. Young at (615) 963-5123 or email dyoung23@tnstate.edu.
2020: COVID-19 came calling. Our scientists answered.
College receives $1M grant to create national platform for high schoolers learning agriculture at home
By Lucas Johnson
Tennessee State University has received a $1 million federal grant to lead development of a national platform that allows high school agricultural courses to be taught remotely because of the pandemic.
The two-year grant and work, which will target underserved communities, are supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative/Education and Workforce Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Officials in TSU’s College of Agriculture say current resources being used for remote learning because of COVID-19 do not include the critical STEM topics of food and agriculture. But they plan to change that by helping to develop eight standardsbased courses in agriculture, food and natural resources for high school students needing online/digital learning options.
The project will also establish dual credit options for those who complete the courses through a university or collegelevel faculty-course review-and-sharing platform.
Dr. John Ricketts, professor of agricultural education at TSU, is leading a team of content experts from the university, as well as individuals from several other institutions, including Auburn University, Mississippi State University, and the University of Georgia.
“Dr. Ricketts has put together an expert team that will address the concerns of teachers, students, and parents everywhere
Dr. John Ricketts, a TSU agriculture professor, congratulates a high school student for winning accolades in a science fair hosted by
Tennessee State University at its Agricultural Research and Education Center. Photo by Joan Kite
and help students complete their high school education and progress to colleges in a timely manner,” says Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of TSU’s College of Agriculture.
Ricketts will recruit the high school teachers who will work with instructional designers and micro-adaptive course developers to roll out the courses. Faculty mentors will assist with content contribution and vet the courses for use at the college level, ensuring they can help students achieve academically at the high school and college level. The eight courses will be loaded onto a national course sharing platform so that students can use them at any institution where agreements have been reached to use the platform, according to officials.
“The courses to be developed will help high school students, who have been sent home because of the coronavirus, to graduate on time,” Ricketts said. “The expert vetting of courses developed for dual enrollment will help those same students stay on track in college.”
Dr. Tom Byl, a TSU Ag professor, is on Ricketts’ team. He says he’s pleased the project is aimed at underserved communities because less than two percent of current natural-resource scientists are African American.
“I think TSU is well suited to lead the effort and address this lack of diversity in STEM disciplines,” says Byl, who is also a research scientist with the US Geological Survey. “I am proud to be part of that effort and look forward to working with this exceptional team of educators, leaders and scientists.”
TSU senior Waymon McNeal, an Ag major with a concentration in environmental sciences, said he wishes such courses were available when he was in high school.
“I believe the platform will have a positive impact on those participating,” said McNeal, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “I also think it’s a great way to recruit students” to TSU.
Senior Kalie Ellis of Ashland City, Tennessee, agrees. She’s also majoring in Ag at TSU, with a concentration in education.
“Think about all the high school students who don’t know about TSU,” Ellis said. “This platform allows them to see that TSU has an amazing Ag program. And since they’re already taking high school Ag courses, and have a relationship with TSU professors, then why not go there.”
Kalie Ellis TSU Ag student
Dr. Hui Li prepares to administer a test to David Bates, owner of the Bates Nursery and Garden Center, that will detect COVID-19 antibodies in his bloodstream. The test results will contribute to research about developing herd immunity for small business employees.
Photo by Dr. Suping Zhou
Professors’ research seeks to protect consumers, nurseries from COVID-19
By Joan Kite
Dr. Suping Zhou, a professor who specializes in genetics and the physiology and molecular biology of abiotic stress on plants, recognized the problem instantly. Nurseries and garden centers in rural America, which are considered essential businesses, were under siege as well with the threat of COVID-19.
The dilemma lay in the fact that many of these businesses are outdoors making detection of the virus more challenging as nursery and gardening customers enter the businesses through a variety of pathways.
Dr. Zhou, together with agriculture professor Dr. John Ricketts and Dr. Ouyang Lizhi from the Physics department, were awarded a $300,000 grant by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in September. They have proposed a solution backed by science
ANTIBODIES, Continued on page 39
Something wicked this way came
Fortunately, the tornado struck at night during Spring Break when the students were gone. This building was where graduate and undergraduate students who work with The Farm’s livestock gathered for meetings, lunches, and other activities. Photo by Emily Hayes
TSU Professor Tom Byl surveys some of the tornado damage on The Farm. Behind him is the large Pavilion, used to host guest speakers and large events, and the Agricultural Education building, which provided smaller classroom spaces. Photo by Tom Byl
Just before the nation shut down for the pandemic, tornadoes attacked Middle Tennessee, Nashville, and TSU Something wicked this way came
By JOAN KITE
The storm supercell arrived rudely late Monday night on March 2, traveling along the Interstate 40 corridor, and splitting into 10 separate tornadoes. By early Tuesday morning, the fifth small, but deadly, tornado, whipped through downtown Nashville, but not before it barreled through TSU’s Agricultural Research and Education Center, the area known as “The Farm” where much research for plant, crop, and livestock sciences is done. Shearing bricks, steel, and glass from buildings, barns, silos, and green houses as if they had been made from Styrofoam, the tornado boasted winds of 136 to 165 mph devastating areas of Germantown, East Nashville, Donelson, and Mt. Juliet. Five people were killed in or near Nashville that night and the tornado would become the sixth costliest in U.S. history. Most of TSU’s research farm was destroyed, said the College’s Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy. Students were on Spring Break at the time and no one was at the Farm since the tornado struck in the dark of night. Dr. Reddy was in Washington, D.C. attending a national meeting when the tornado touched down on “The Farm” in Nashville. He first spoke with Dr. Richard Browning, who oversees the livestock program, and then Dr. Reddy contacted TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover. Dr. Glover toured the damage right after the tornado hit, and Governor Bill Lee visited The Farm the next day morning. Dr. Reddy returned home and traveled to the Farm on Wednesday, March 4, to see the damage firsthand
Pieces of debris from destroyed buildings wrapped themselves around the entrance sign to the Agricultural Research & Education Center. Photo by Emmanuel Freeman
WICKED, From page 25
with members of the Facilities Management team, faculty, Horace Chase, vice president of TSU’s Business and Finance Department, and an attorney from TSU’s legal office. “It was mind boggling to see and grasp the damage in front of me,” Dr. Reddy recalled. “That was hard to fathom and digest and think about rebuilding them so soon. Since that day, I made a commitment to rebuild those lost facilities as soon as possible and re-establish the Main Campus Agricultural Research and Education Center as the premier center in the State.” Workers are still taking inventory, but university officials have determined that the fifth tornado destroyed seven research hoop houses, 10 green houses, the Agriculture Education building, the Pavilion, the Horse Barn, two silos, a farm shed, the poultry research building, and partially damaged the Research Support building. The damage did not include the numerous experiments, projects, and ongoing research studies underway at the facilities, Dr. Reddy said. Professor Tom Byl surveyed the damage shortly after the tornado hit. “I was stunned,” Byl said. “I was shocked at how precise the damage was.” Byl encountered many of his colleagues amidst the destruction on The Farm. “Meeting (Professor Dharma) Pitchay was also disheartening. He was trying to see what he could salvage from the greenhouses. And he was busy photographing things for his records.” Byl said. “But I knew many of the faculty and staff would be busy cleaning and salvaging rather than running research projects that spring.” “On top of all that, COVID-19 was really starting to take off and we were under advisories about that,” Byl said. “So, there was no hugging or hand shaking as we met colleagues. Just talking from six feet away and trying to make sense of things and figuring out what we would each do next.” This is not the first time Mother Nature has devastated The Farm. In 2010, floodwaters killed almost half of the 275 goats on the farm at that time and swallowed $500,000 in damages to equipment and property. TSU rebuilt The Farm then, and administration and staff are eager to rebuild it now. The College estimates that it may take up to two years, if not longer, to completely rebuild all that was lost. Eddie Williams, who is the superintendent for the Farm, said restoration is happening. “The cleanup is going just fine,” Williams said. He added that many professors were able to plant research crops of amaranth, green peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, and other vegetables and fruits. If all goes well, the Community Garden may be open to the public in the spring as well, Williams said. Those involved in the clean-up are also
Tom Byl Professor and USGS Research Biologist liaison
WICKED, Continued on page 46
Left: A tractor pulls in starting what will be many days of debris removal and ground clearing. Photo by Tom Byl. Top right: The sun sets over The Farm adding melancholy to the atmosphere of loss and destruction. Photo by Emily Hayes. Bottom right: Volunteers from all over Nashville and Middle Tennessee came out to help clear the wreckage from the Farm. Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visits College, tours labs, inspires students
By Joan Kite
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited Tennessee State University in mid-October of 2019 to learn about the innovative research happening at the College of Agriculture, meet the students in USDA 1890s student scholars, and motivate students to invest in themselves.
Upon his arrival, Perdue had breakfast with TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover, Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, and eight agriculture students who have received funding through the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program.
“I did have the privilege of having breakfast with some of your student leaders who are making a mark here at TSU and beyond. Some of these students were in the 1890s Scholars Program,” Perdue said.
Following the breakfast, Perdue toured that labs in the Biotechnology Building stopping to talk to professors and students about their research.
Perdue listened carefully and asked pointed questions about some of the research the College is engaged, including a new program which is studying the properties of hemp and CBD oils.
“It was great to have him here,” said Dr. Ankit Patras, an associate professor who specializes in food safety.
The USDA is a strong partner with the College of Agriculture providing millions of dollars to fund research at TSU.
Dr. Reddy expressed his pleasure with the visit and was proud to promote the College’s research.
“This is awesome, because USDA supports a number of USDA scholars for us, as well as research and extension facilities at TSU,” said Reddy. “This is an opportunity for the Secretary to see
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue enjoys breakfast with top scholars from the College of Agriculture and select members of the faculty and staff. Photo by Erynne Davis “I believe that you folks sitting here could be the next heroes of solutions for the things that really plague us whether they are biotech issues, pharmaceutical issues, antibiotic issues, crop production issues or food safety.”
Dr. Sonny Perdue U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
firsthand how we are stewarding those resources they are providing.”
Many students said they were happy to meet the main man in agriculture.
Perdue, who grew up on a farm and became a veterinarian, spoke to an audience of 200 students, staff and faculty about his path to the No. 1 policy position within the Department of Agriculture. “As a student at TSU, you have plenty of reason to take pride in the school you have chosen because literally what’s happening on the ground here and what you all are participating in is the building of knowledge and the building of solutions for our future right here at TSU,” Perdue said.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue shakes hands with students following his formal talk in which he praised the College of Agriculture for its innovative research. Photo by Joan Kite
“I believe that you folks sitting here could be the next heroes of solutions for the things that really plague us whether they are biotech issues or pharmaceutical issues or antibiotic issues or crop production issues or food safety.”
Time was given for students to ask questions of the U.S. Secretary. Braxton Simpson, who has strong experience in Student Government and is majoring in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in agribusiness wanted to know how Perdue migrated from veterinary practice to shaping agricultural policy.
Using an acronym based on his position and name, the U.S. Secretary told the students to “stand,” be “steadfast,” and “persevere (SSP).”
“As you stand, as you’re steadfast to your vision, and persevere for the next cause, I know that you’ll be successful,” Perdue said.
“TSU has invested in you, USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has invested in you, now I want you to invest in yourselves. You are provided an opportunity that many people in this life do not get.”
Dr. Chandra Reddy Dean College of Agriculture
Lucas Johnson II contributed to this story.
Graduate student and research associate Nicole Witzel collects water samples form tributaries in Tennessee. This research will help her understand the habitats of Hellbender salamanders and the threats they must battle on their home turf. Photo by Joan Kite
Graduates needed in expanding career market College of Agriculture offers new Master’s Degree program in Environmental Science
By Joan Kite
The College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University is now accepting students into its newly approved Master of Environmental Science program beginning this Fall semester.
“Environmental Science is a much-needed graduate program for Tennesseans and others to train specialists to address the ever-increasing environmental concerns in modern life! As we all know, a healthy environment leads to healthy people and animals,” said Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture. “This Environmental Science program, recently approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), is unique in Tennessee. We apply environmental principles to the agroforestry industrial complex which makes up about 12 percent of the state’s economy and 10.3 percent of the workforce.”
Graduate students can pursue a concentration in Plant Sciences, Natural Resources, or Geospatial Information Sciences, said Dr. Samuel Nahashon, the chair of TSU’s Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department. This is the only degree program in Tennessee with these specializations and currently, TSU faculty are conducting research in bioenergy, forestry, geospatial sciences, climate change, wildlife biology, soil chemistry, plant sciences, natural resources, and environmental remediation.
“We now have an opportunity to train graduate students in these particular areas, which are really in high demand in the state, especially in forestry and natural resources,” Dr. Nahashon said. In addition, the College of Agriculture is graced with exceptional faculty extremely knowledgeable in these areas.
“TSU Ag has 24 exceptionally talented faculty teaching and this degree program is offered both with a thesis and non-thesis option,” Dr. Reddy said. “We also will support 20 graduate research assistantships to qualified students pursuing this program. We have students waiting to get into the program and we are excited to start it this Fall.”
Within Tennessee, employment for environmental scientists is expected to increase by 14.5 percent between 2016-26, based on statistics kept by the United States Department of Labor.
For those interested, contact Dr. Pokharel at (615) 963-6054 or bpokhare@tnstate.edu.
