黑料吃瓜 is a project partner with the Chickasaw Nation on a USDA Climate SMART grant that provides start-up funding for the Small Farm and Ranch Institute, which will be located on the 黑料吃瓜 Ardmore campus. The grant is $5 million, of which $2 million will directly benefit 黑料吃瓜.
The program is designed to provide education to underserved students and local farmers about agriculture practices on a small scale. 黑料吃瓜 will build curriculum to train underserved students about the importance of agriculture, using clean practices to preserve the environment, lessen herbicide and pesticide use; as well as use sustainable practices in specialty crops like native pecans.
鈥淭his grant will help us advance sustainable agricultural practice and education in a myriad of ways for our students and communities,鈥� said Brian Cothran, Dean of the 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 School of Agriculture. 鈥淲e would not be successful without our partners at the Chickasaw Nation, Kris Patton and Amy Seiger. They have been incredible advocates for sustainable agriculture practices.鈥�
It will also teach local students and farmers, including underserved populations how to begin farming practices on a small scale, with specialty crops like fruits and vegetables that can be monetized via local farmer鈥檚 markets. These farmers will also be incentivized to use climate-smart practices, lending to the demand of local WIC and SNAP food producers who would prefer to source their produce locally for disadvantaged families.
鈥淲e are grateful for Governor Anoatubby and the opportunity to collaborate on the Climate SMART grant to expand our agriculture program, and serve local farmers and special populations,鈥� said Dr. Tim Faltyn, 黑料吃瓜 President. 鈥淭his program will strengthen 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 academic programs and partnership with the Chickasaw Nation.鈥�
Funds for the grant allocation to 黑料吃瓜 will aid in hiring a project coordinator, full time faculty and purchase needed equipment and supplies, as well as provide student scholarships.