USDA Awards $1.8M to N.C. A&T Agriculture, Nutrition, Consumer Sciences Projects

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Aug. 2, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Receives $2 Million Grant for Sustainable Development Projects

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has been awarded a grant of nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant will fund six projects aimed at testing environmentally friendly growing techniques, improving educational training on food allergies, strengthening nutritional science programs, and more. These projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

USDA Invests in 1890 Land-Grant Institutions to Support Capacity-Building Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced an investment of over $33 million to support capacity-building programs at the nation’s 1890 land-grant institutions. The 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program will fund 82 research, Cooperative Extension, and educational projects across the 19 historically Black college and universities (HBCUs). N.C. A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is the largest college of agriculture among all HBCUs and is the nation’s top producer of diverse agriculture and environmental science majors.

The USDA expects these projects to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by delivering real-life, applicable solutions to strengthen the food system and inspire the next generation of students and scientists who will address future agricultural challenges.

Projects Supported by the Grant

• Biodegradable Mulches in Commercial Vegetable Production: Mark Blevins, Ed.D., associate administrator in Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T, will lead a study on the use of biodegradable mulches as an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic mulch in commercial vegetable production.
• Pipeline for Graduate Study and Diverse Workforce in Food and Nutritional Sciences: Roberta Claro da Silva, Ph.D., assistant professor of food and nutritional science, will lead a project to create a pipeline for graduate study and a diverse workforce in the food and nutritional sciences, addressing the industry’s need for well-prepared minority graduates.
• Plant-Based Surimi Seafood: Reza Tahergorabi, Ph.D., associate professor of food and nutritional science, will lead students in conducting plant-based food research with the goal of developing plant-based surimi (minced) seafood.
• Food Allergies and Immunology: Leonard Williams, Ph.D., director of the Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies at the UNC Research Campus in Kannapolis, will develop courses to familiarize food and agricultural sciences students with the principles of food allergies and immunology. The project aims to develop food-grade research strategies for safer, controlled immunotherapy, including desensitization to allergy-producing foods.
• Enhancing Skills and Competencies of Family and Consumer Sciences Students: Meeshay Williams-Wheeler, Ph.D., professor of Family and Consumer Sciences, will work to increase the number of students enrolled in department programs and enhance their communication, critical thinking, interpersonal, problem-solving skills, and cultural competencies.
• Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics in Livestock Feed: Jianmei Yu, Ph.D., a food and nutritional science professor, will work to develop a safe, natural alternative to antibiotics in livestock feed.

These projects aim to strengthen knowledge and understanding of the nation’s food systems, improve the preparedness and diversity of the nation’s workforce, provide leadership training, and conduct research in sustainable food production and both human and animal health. The impact of these projects will be felt across the industry, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. N.C. A&T expresses gratitude to the USDA for their investment in these initiatives.

This grant follows USDA’s previous investment of $18.1 million in CAES for the project “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NEXTGEN).” The SAPLINGS (System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next GenerationS) project involves faculty and staff from each department of the CAES and specialists with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The issues highlighted in the article are related to sustainable agriculture, food production, nutrition, education, and environmental sustainability, which align with these SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article, such as sustainable food production, improving education and workforce diversity, and promoting environmental sustainability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:

• Increased productivity and production in sustainable food production systems (SDG 2.4)
• Reduction in preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age (SDG 3.2)
• Equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education (SDG 4.3)
• Full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8.5)
• Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes (SDG 12.4)
• Integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning (SDG 13.2)
• Sustainable management of forests and halt deforestation (SDG 15.2)

These indicators can be used to assess the progress made in achieving the targets mentioned in the article.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: ncat.edu

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