WILBERFORCE, OH - Central State University (a historically black college and university) located in Wilberforce, Ohio has received $4.4 million 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.

Is is the first major support by the state 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 and extension services. The University plans to add academic degrees, concentrations and certificate programs in agriculture.

New departments and programs planned:

• A new Department of Agriculture within the College of Science and Engineering that will offer a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture (Fall 2016). Student 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.
• A new School of Agriculture Education and Food Science in the College of Education. Bachelor of Science degrees will be offered in Agricultural Education and in Extension Education.
• A new certificate program focused on preparing student 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.