HBCUs Latest Extramural Awards
Central State University Receives more than $4M for
Agricultural Research, Extension and Education
New Programs Planned for 2016
Central State University received $4.4M from the state of Ohio for agriculture research and extension
initiatives as part of the FY2016-FY2017 budget bill signed by Ohio Governor John Kasich.
It is the first major support by the state of Ohio of the University’s Land-Grant
initiatives. These funds are part of a state match requirement resulting from Central State University's
(CSU) designation as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution and will fuel the capacity expansion of
agriculture and agricultural related research ($1.85M each year) and extension services ($350K each
year). The University will continue to build on its highly regarded Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) programming by adding academic degrees, concentrations and certificate
programs in agriculture.
Also aligning with the Land Grant mission, the University has launched a new Department of
Agriculture within the College of Science & Engineering that will offer a Bachelor of Science in
Sustainable Agriculture (Fall 2016). Students selecting this major will have the added benefit of
participating in meaningful research, with qualified faculty, that will serve Ohio and have national and
international implications.
Separate funding will enable the College of Education to establish a new School of Agricultural
Education and Food Science. Bachelor of Science degrees will be offered in Agricultural Education
and in Extension Education. Additionally, a new certificate program focused on preparing students for
Future Farmers of America (FFA) certification is under development. These programs are designed to
increase the talent pool of agriculture educators and industry specialists and are planned for Fall, 2016.
“Central State University is excited about integrating the Land Grant mission with our mission and
appreciates the support from the state,” said Dr. Charles Wesley Ford, Jr., Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs. “It is because of President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond’s
leadership and others who have supported Central State University that the
University is in the position to impact the lives of people in Ohio.”
Central State University received its historic federal designation as an 1890
Land-Grant Institution on February 7, 2014.