WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee – today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Central State University $599,997 through its 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program to strengthen the university’s food and agricultural science teaching, research, and extension programs. In 1890, the Morrill Act of 1862 was expanded, creating a network of historically black land-grant educational institutions focused on providing increased access to higher education in the fields of agriculture and mechanical arts. Brown helped Central State University secure designation as an 1890 land-grant institution through the 2014 Farm Bill.

“The agricultural research and education fostered at 1890 land-grant institutions supports farming and production nationwide,” said Brown. “These federal resources will help Central State University continue its long tradition of providing Ohio students with a quality education that allows graduates to obtain jobs in one of Ohio’s leading industries.”

Last month, Brown announced passage of a Senate resolution he cosponsored that recognizes the 125th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act – legislation passed on August 30, 1890 that led to the creation of 19 historically Black Federal land-grant educational institutions. The resolution also designated August 30, 2015 as “1890 Land-Grant Institutions Quasquicentennial Recognition Day.”

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