Chief of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service holds press conference at Central State University
Terry Crosby serves as weekly Convocation Series speaker
Above: Terry Cosby (left), chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, speaks during a press conference following the weekly Convocation Series at Central State University. Also pictured are (from left) CSU President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti; Vivian A. Dickson, director of Equity in the Office of the Chief at NRCS; CSU Board of Trustees Chair Jacqueline Gamblin; and Dr. Jose Ulises Toledo, vice president for Research and Economic Development and director of 1890 Land-Grant Programs at Central State University.
Central State University welcomed Terry Cosby, chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as part of its weekly Convocation Series on Sept. 17.
Following the convocation, Cosby held a press conference with CSU President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti and other University leaders. Vivian A. Dickson, director of Equity in the Office of the Chief at NRCS, also attended the event.
Cosby played a key role in the designation of Central State as the 19th 1890 Land-Grant Institution in 2014, a status the University fought for over 100 years to achieve.
Kuti, CSU’s 10th president, thanked Cosby for partnering with Central State on such important initiatives. He said obtaining Land-Grant status was a monumental achievement.
“As a Land-Grant University, we’ve received over $100 million for scholarships, opportunities for experiential learning, bridge programs, land and equipment,” Kuti said. “We would not be a Land-Grant University if it were not for (Cosby) and (U.S.) Secretary (of Agriculture) Vilsack.
“I want to publicly thank our faculty and staff for using the resources to advance our mission and become the Land-Grant University that we hope to be. The original intent of the Land-Grant status was to improve the lives of the communities and citizens around you, and we are doing just that.”
During his remarks at Convocation, Cosby encouraged students to maximize their university experience.
“The possibilities within you are endless,” he said. “Think about the legacy you’re going to leave. Take the time to discover and embrace your unique passions and talents. You all have amazing talents. Then, use those talents... to go back to your communities. They depend on you to thrive and grow.”
At the press conference, Cosby emphasized the importance of 1890 Land-Grant Institutions in supporting small producers, urban farmers, and surrounding communities.
“We have a lot of farmers out there, a lot of producers across this country, that need technology and the technology transfer happening here on campus," Cosby said. "Without that, we’re going to continue to lose more farmers, which we do not want to do. And farmers need to be profitable. You’ve got to be resourceful and resilient, and without good soil health, that’s almost impossible. The work you’re doing here is vital to farmers.”
The NRCS is a leading federal agency that helps farmers, ranchers, and private landowners with conservation efforts. Cosby, appointed on May 24, 2021, has served with the NRCS for over 40 years. His previous roles include acting chief, state conservationist for Ohio, and various positions in Idaho, Missouri, and Iowa.
Under his leadership, the NRCS is advancing major initiatives aligned with the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities, including addressing climate change through investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. Cosby’s focus areas also include ensuring equitable access to resources, promoting urban agriculture, developing a diverse workforce, and building strong partnerships.
Raised on his family’s cotton farm in Mississippi, where his great-grandfather purchased land in the late 1800s, Cosby has deep roots in agriculture. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Alcorn State University, the nation’s first Land-Grant University.
