Press Release
☷USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small Launches Cross Country College Tour to Visit Land Grant Universities
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Jan 26,2024
| 7| 0
On January 25 , 2024 , as students all over the country headed back to school for the Spring semester , Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small from the U . S . Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) embarked on a multi - week college tour across the United States . During her tour , the Deputy is visiting campuses in at least seven states to showcase how the Biden - Harris Administration is collaborating with Land - grant Universities to promote rural prosperity , climate - smart practices , competition , and sustainability . USDA is investing new funds for education and training , advancing innovative research , and boosting economic development to create a food and agriculture system that is climate - smart , sustainable , and fair . They are also highlighting the ways USDA is making a difference on college campuses and creating new career opportunities in the food and agriculture sector for the next generation of farmers , foresters , researchers , and entrepreneurs . Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small expressed that the investments made by the Biden - Harris Administration in the future of agriculture will have positive impacts on various sectors including agriculture , food , and forestry . President Biden is committed to the future of students and aims to provide practical solutions for long - standing issues , such as expanding broadband internet access in communities nationwide , updating essential waste - water infrastructure , and increasing competition to ensure better and fairer markets for producers and consumers . All of these efforts will better equip the next generation of students and scientists to tackle future agricultural challenges and more . The Deputy Secretary ' s College Tour includes visits to Land - grant Universities , including Historically Black Colleges and Universities , Hispanic - Serving Institutions , and Tribal Colleges and Universities . Throughout the tour , Deputy Secretary Torres Small discusses the opportunities being created by the Biden - Harris Administration for young people and outlines the challenges and emerging career prospects in agriculture , natural resources , food , nutrition , and rural development . The Deputy Secretary is also keen on hearing directly from students about their vision for the future . The College Tour began at Virginia State University in Petersburg , VA , on Tuesday , January 16 , followed by visits to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro , NC , and Alamance Community College in Graham , NC , on January 17 . On Friday , January 26 , the Deputy will visit the University of Florida . Additional information on future tour stops will be provided by USDA as the tour continues . Since fiscal year 2021 , the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture ( NIFA ) has allocated over $5 billion in support to Land - grant University campuses . NIFA has some scholarship programs that these schools have received funding for . One program is the 1890 Scholarships Program , which helps undergraduate students at 1890 Land - grant Universities get degrees in food and agricultural sciences . Another program is the New Beginnings for Tribal Students Program , which aims to help Tribal students at different Land - grant Universities stay in school and graduate . There ' s also the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship Program , which supports graduate and postgraduate training for future policymakers , researchers , and educators in the food and agricultural sciences . The USDA Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ) also supports Land - grant universities and has locations that work with them on research and student training . The ARS provided a lot of funding to Land - grant universities for research projects in different areas . The Deputy Secretary ' s tour is part of USDA ' s investment in the future of agriculture and Land - grant Universities . They recently announced a big amount of funding to help institutions of higher education train the next generation of agricultural professionals . They also provided funding to support projects at 1890 Land - grant Universities . Overall , USDA does a lot of positive things that affect the lives of Americans every day . In the Biden - Harris administration , the USDA is working to transform America ' s food system by prioritizing local and regional food production , creating fairer markets for all farmers , and making sure that everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food . They are also supporting farmers and producers by promoting climate smart practices and investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy . The USDA is committed to removing barriers and creating a more diverse workforce . To find out more , visit www . usda . gov . The USDA is an equal opportunity provider , employer , and lender .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
