President Felecia M. Nave reappointed to USDA’s 1890 Task Force
Dr. Felecia M. Nave, president of Alcorn State University, has been reappointed to the United States Department of Agriculture 1890 Task Force by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
USDA's 1890 Task Force is charged with strengthening the partnership between USDA and the 1890 land grant institutions.
"It is an honor to continue to serve Alcorn and our 1890 universities in this role, “said Nave. "I truly believe in the impactful contributions of this group as we work to remove barriers to provide equitable resources while improving access, infrastructure, and workforce opportunities for underserved communities and farmers. Investments made through the USDA have greatly benefited 1890 universities' students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities."
The 1890 land-grant system consists of the following 19 universities: Alabama A&M, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and A&M College, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University.
Other members of the Task Force include USDA members – Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Alcorn alumnus (Co-Chair); Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Daniel Whitley, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS); Monica Rainge, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR); Dionne Toombs, Director (Acting), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); and Hubert Hamer, Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
In addition to Dr. Nave, 1890 Land-Grant University presidents that serve on the Task Force are Dr. Paul Jones, President, Fort Valley State University (Co-Chair); Dr. Kent J. Smith, President, Langston University; Dr. Makola Abdullah, President, Virginia State University; Dr. Larry Robinson, President, Florida A&M University; and Dr. Jack Thomas, President, Central State University.
In a press release from the USDA, its work touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
