Tag Archives: Krysta Harden

Federal Ag Official Lauds TSU’s Role in Nation’s Agricultural Research, Education and Outreach

Krysta Harden, deputy secretary of Agriculture, addresses members of The College of Agriculture Human and Natural Sciences and other stakeholders during her one-day visit to the University. (Photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)
Krysta Harden, deputy secretary of Agriculture, addresses members of The College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, and other stakeholders during her one-day visit to the University. (Photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is playing a major role in agricultural research, education and outreach in the nation, a senior U.S. federal government official said in Nashville Tuesday.

Krysta Harden, deputy secretary of Agriculture, in remarks before farmers, USDA and state agency representatives, as well as TSU students and faculty, said the University “is really committed” to educating young people about the importance of agriculture not only as a discipline but as a viable career option.

“We have a very hungry world, and it is going to get hungrier and bigger,” Harden said. “As such, we need wonderful institutions like TSU to provide the education and research, and folks like the residents of Tennessee to be able to produce more food.”

The Deputy Secretary, who spoke during a one-day visit at TSU, also met with senior University officials, including President Dr. Glenda Glover, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Mark Hardy; and Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources.

Speaking to reporters, Harden described the partnership between TSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “very rewarding and meaningful.” Although she joined the Department only few years ago, she said she is well aware of the relationship between the two.

“Our relationship with TSU goes far back not only in the areas of education, outreach and research, but in infrastructure that supports our mission and that of the University,” Harden said. “We thank you for this partnership.”

Highlighting the Deputy Secretary’s visit was a tour of the new 25,000 square-foot, $8 million USDA-funded state-of-the-art Agricultural Biotechnology Research Building on the University’s main campus. The building, expected to be dedicated in April, will provide laboratory space for more than 10 new Ph.D.-level scientists, research rooms for graduate students, and high-efficiency HVAC systems and laboratories.

“We see this as a remarkable investment in the future of this institution and its students,” Harden said during the tour, accompanied by Dean Reddy and officials of CAHNS.

Earlier in a meeting with other stakeholders including the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, Julius Johnson, Extension workers and faculty of CAHNS, the Secretary announced that negotiations are almost complete on a long-overdue Farm Bill that will set new spending levels for some farming and agricultural priorities.

“Due to progress made so far, I am increasingly optimistic that a workable and effective Farm Bill will be approved by Congress in the very near future,” said Harden. “Passage of the bill will finally help bring some certainty to producers, their lenders, and others.”

In a presentation prior to the Secretary’s remarks, Dean Reddy thanked the USDA for its support and the continuing partnership between the federal agency and TSU. He pointed to the “sustained” growth in his college, including $55 million in research, 1,100 students, among them 150 paid graduate students, and an Extension program that serves 47 counties, up from 12 in 2007.

“Our research efforts have also expanded significantly,” Reddy said. “We have grown to about 100 faculty, 250 employees, and more than 1,000 students, while undergraduate enrollment has doubled in agriculture and allied fields, and the graduate enrollment in agriculture has increased seven-fold.”

He said the visit of Secretary Harden was a significant achievement for TSU.

“In addition to Secretary Harden, to have on our campus the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Farm Bureau representatives, different farm service organizations, and all the heads of USDA state agencies, including the Natural Resource Conservation Services; the Farm Service Agency, and the Rural Development Agency, at the same time is very significant,” the Dean said. “And for the Secretary to see first hand what we are doing, and talk to our students, faculty and staff, really helps and serves as an encouragement for all of us, and we are very thankful.”

Secretary Harden’s visit culminated with a luncheon with University officials, and federal and state agriculture officials, in the President’s Dining Area in Kean Hall.

 

 

 

Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

 

 

About Tennessee State University

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture to Visit Tennessee State University Jan. 21

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Krysta Harden, will visit TSU on Tuesday, Jan. 21, during which she will meet with senior University officials, tour on-going USDA-funded projects, as well as hold talks with the dean, faculty and students in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences.

According to a CAHNS release, representatives from several state and federal USDA agencies, including Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, Julius Johnson, and Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Lacy Upchurch are expected to accompany Harden.

As part of her visit, the Deputy Secretary will participate in a meet-and-greet with students, faculty, and stakeholders in the Ferrell-Westbrook Complex, and tour the new 25,000 square-foot state-of-the-art Agricultural Biotechnology Research Building in the College, the release said.

The visit will begin at 10:15 a.m., with a “Welcome and Introductions” reception in the Dean’s Conference Room in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, followed by tour of the new research building, and the meet-and-greet and stakeholders’ meeting. See agenda below.

10:15 – 10:30 Welcome & Introductions (Dean’s Conference Room)

10:30 – 10:55 Tour of new Agricultural Biotechnology Research Building

11:00 – 11:30 Meet & Greet with students, stakeholders, and faculty (Ferrell-Westbrook Complex/Barn Auditorium)

11:45 – 12:15 Lunch & Conversation in President’s Dining Area

The Deputy Secretary’s visit Tuesday coincides with the kick-off of several activities in the college including the “Third Tuesday TSU Field Days and Educational Workshops,” featuring presentations, seminars, demonstrations, field visits, and hands-on activities from scientists, extension agents, and other helpful authorities on subjects related to food and agriculture.

The inaugural program on “Insect Control in the Field and the Home” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 118 of the Farrell-Westbrook Complex.

An organic strawberry workshop, “Developing the Logistics for Producing Human Pathogens-Free Organic Strawberries in the State of Tennessee,” sponsored by Wal-Mart, Tennessee State University and the University of Arkansas, will take place simultaneously from 8:30 a.m. – noon in the Agricultural Industrial Technology Center Auditorium on the main campus.

 

 

 

Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

 

 

About Tennessee State University

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.