USDA chief to Central State University: Your work matters

Above: Terry Cosby (third from left) with (l-r) Central State University Board of Trustees Chairperson Jacqueline Gamblin; CSU President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti; Vivian Dickson, equity director, USDA Office of the Associate Chief; and Dr. Jose Toledo, vice president for Research and Economic Development and director of 1890 Land-Grant Programs at Central State.

Terry Crosby, chief of the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation, visited Central State University on Sept. 17 as a Convocation Series speaker. During a post-speech press conference, Cosby praised the progress Central State has registered in its first decade as an 1890 Land-Grand Institution. 

Cosby singled out agricultural research and CSU Extension’s outreach to 42 Ohio counties to work with underserved, underrepresented populations as examples that the University is making itself relevant in the lives of Ohio citizens and farmers.

“We just have to remember that we have a lot of farmers out there, a lot of producers (of food) around this country, who can use a lot of the technology and technology transfer, a lot of the things (that) you do on campus,” Cosby said.

“The work you do here on campus (as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution) is very important to farmers,” added Cosby, whose family still owns a farm in rural Mississippi.

Central State University President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti remarked at the press conference that Cosby was instrumental in bringing about the 2014 designation of Ohio’s only public Historically Black College or University as one of 19 HBCUs granted the 1890 Land-Grant status.

Cosby said the designation was “an important landmark for Central State and for all of us,” adding, “We are just so happy” about it. 

Cosby leads a premier federal conservation agency, known for its 3,000 field-office network that helps farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners plan and carry out voluntary conservation activities. Under his leadership, NRCS is implementing key Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including once-in-a-generation investments in climate-change mitigation through the Inflation Reduction Act.