The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) — The tri-part mission of Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture is to meet myriad needs of students and neighbors, while facilitating research and outreach to secure the industry’s future.
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders recently learned about the ongoing mission of academics, research and Virginia Cooperative Extension services from Robert N. Corley III, college dean and director of land-grant programs. Officially appointed last summer, Corley oversees the VSU Agricultural Research Station, Virginia Cooperative Extension and the college’s academic departments, including agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and hospitality management.
“Someone once said, if agriculture gets it wrong, nothing else can be right,” he said.
Corley has truly embraced the theme “Greater Grows Here” at the VSU College of Agriculture, said Martha Moore, senior vice president of VFBF governmental relations.
“And we appreciate all the work you are doing to preserve farming in the state, and the support you give us.”
Corley shared recent wins for the college and community—increased enrollment, millions in state and federal grant funding, industry partnerships, engagement efforts, and leadership development to enhance the state workforce.
“When we talk to our legislative partners, we say we’re a great return on investment,” he said.
While the land-grant university receives federal money, goals to increase competitive funding were exceeded—up $2.3 million on the academic side, $7.8 million for research and $12 million for Extension.
“But none of this matters if you don’t have greater community impact,” Corley noted.
A six-year plan focuses on community impact and food access, plus health and nutrition. Local food parties featuring area agriculturalists welcomed over 500 attendees.
“It began to create a different food reservoir,” Corley explained. “As you know, there are food deserts in the Petersburg area, which impact on health disparities and life expectancies compared to other areas of the commonwealth. It’s disheartening as a community partner to have those kinds of statistics in our backyard.”
To move the needle forward, the college is growing its urban and minority farming initiatives through the Sustainable & Urban Agriculture and Small Farm Outreach programs.
As the local food movement expands, the college has developed an international collaboration with Chonnam National University in South Korea, which developed plant-based hand sanitizers and diagnostic tools that can help detect diseases such as COVID and HIV.
“Partnerships like these may provide our small farmers new markets and create an economic boost for the region,” Corley said.
The eyes of the nation will be on the campus this November, he added, as it hosts an upcoming presidential debate.
