Measure Authorizes Millions in Federal Agriculture Grants
University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Allen L. Sessoms celebrated a victory this week with passage of The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 by the U.S. Senate. The bill makes D.C., like the states, eligible for federal funding under the McIntire-Stennis Act, which created a forestry research program that provides federal funds to public land-grant universities.
As the only public university in the District and the only urban land-grant university in the nation, UDC has previously not been eligible for these funds.
Dr. Sessoms thanked a host of Capitol Hill supporters, including DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) for their help in moving the measure forward.
"I am especially appreciative of the efforts of Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and DC Shadow Sen. Paul Strauss in finally getting DC's state university included in this very important issue," said Sessoms. "We are finally being considered as equals among the great U.S. land-grant universities, and that can only translate to more resources for our programs which will in turn benefit our students."
UDC's College of Agriculture Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) coordinates a variety of important community outreach, food and nutrition activities and sustainability initiatives. Visit CAUSES at www.udc.edu/causes.
As the only urban land-grant institution in the United States, the University of the District of Columbia (www.udc.edu) supports a broad mission of education, research and community service across all member colleges and schools, which include the Community College, College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the David A. Clarke School of Law.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University's EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.
