Gazette News Report

WILBERFORCE — The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded Central State University nearly $1.3 million through its 1890s Facilities Grants Program.

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the grant will help strengthen CSUs agricultural and food science research facilities and equipment.

“As a 1890s land-grant school, Central State University has conducted groundbreaking agricultural research and provided special opportunities to its students interested in agriculture and farming,” Brown said. “This significant award will build on CSU’s strong partnership with Ohio’s agriculture industry and encourage its continued success preparing Ohio students for good jobs in this field.”

In 2014, Brown helped Central State University secure status as Land-Grant College through the 2014 Farm Bill. In August 2015, Brown announced passage of a Senate resolution he cosponsored that recognizes the 125th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act — legislation passed Aug. 30, 1890 that led to the creation of 19 historically black federal land-grant educational institutions. The resolution also designated Aug. 30, 2015 as “1890 Land-Grant Institutions Quasquicentennial Recognition Day.”

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.