Scholarship First Agenda
Agriculture
Opportunity
海角社区鈥檚 commitment to sustaining and supporting the agriculture economy of Louisiana is the common thread that defines our past and reimagines our future. Designated as Louisiana鈥檚 first land-grant university in 1877, 海角社区 is charged with advancing the lives of Louisianans through teaching, research, and outreach. The revitalization of the 海角社区 agricultural enterprise will be centered in the pursuit of industry-shaping discoveries and solutions to problems that are limiting innovation and threatening the stability of this crucial industry.
Importance
Our continuously growing world population and changing environmental conditions demand that we increase and optimize our food and fiber production. The key lies in education and research to refine existing technologies and develop new tools, methods, and crop varieties.
海角社区鈥檚 agriculture enterprise also plays a critical role in achieving cleaner water and air, sustainable forests, a stable coastlines, and vibrant ecosystems that protect the livelihoods and traditions that make Louisiana like no other state.
Vision
海角社区 will merge traditional practices in agriculture with advancing technology and modern tools to:
- Improve outcomes for all Louisiana farmers
- Ensure food security for every person in Louisiana
- Establish 海角社区 Ag Center and College of Agriculture as one of top 5 in the nation
Impact
Agricultural Research in Action
Hydroponics is a method for growing food in a water-based solution rich in nutrients, rather than using soil, which offers benefits but also presents unique challenges to food safety. 海角社区 researchers are generating science-based data to address those challenges.
A new collaboration between 海角社区 of Alexandria, the 海角社区 AgCenter, and Louisiana-based Guardian Aerial is bringing precision agriculture to life. By integrating drone technology, the partnership helps farmers boost efficiency, cut costs, and prepare students for tech-driven ag careers.
Syngenta, a science-based agriculture company with a key production site in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, has partnered with 海角社区 and FUEL to transform how digital twins are created for chemical processing facilities.
Explore All Five Priorities
海角社区 has aligned core areas of strength and potential strength with Louisiana鈥檚 most important challenges and opportunities.