WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack visited the campus of Central State University to celebrate the university’s designation as an “1890 Institution” – a designation secured following the efforts of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge (OH-11) in the 2014 Farm Bill.

“As one of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Universities, it’s fitting that Central State University has received this long overdue designation as an 1890 land-grant university,” Brown said. “Now, thanks to the 2014 Farm Bill, Central State University can continue to take an active role in promoting agriculture research and education and providing new opportunities for students to obtain jobs in Ohio’s leading industry. I thank Secretary Vilsack for his support of Central State University and his leadership at USDA.”

“As one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and the only public university of its kind in Ohio, Central State University has deservedly joined the rank of other HBCUs as an 1890 Land Grant Institution after pursuing the designation for more than a century.  It is fitting for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to visit and ceremoniously honor the university with the designation and showcase why it is deserving of the distinction,” Congresswoman Marcia Fudge said.

In January 2014, Brown and  Fudge announced that Central State University was added to a distinguished list of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focused on expanding opportunities for agricultural research and education, commonly referred to as “1890 Universities”. This status allows Central State University to increase educational programming and partnership opportunities within Ohio’s agriculture industry.

The Morrill Act of 1862 created a network of land-grant universities throughout the United States focused on providing increased access to higher education in the fields of agriculture and mechanical arts. The Act was expanded upon in 1890 creating a network of historically black land-grant universities. Currently, historically black land-grant universities enroll annually more than 40 percent of all students in all HBCUs. This designation will allow Central State University the possibility to expand into agriculture research areas such as water resources management, minority, women and small farmer’s education, and other agriculture-related programming.

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