U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny L. Moffitt (at left, on left) and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Acting Administrator Dr. Michael Watson joined University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson (at left, on right) at the Princess Anne, Maryland HBCU to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU celebrates the expanding relationship between the university and APHIS in agricultural research, education, recruitment and outreach.
Moffit and UMES representatives also toured the USDA-funded UMES Research, Extension and Teaching Farm and the construction site for the UMES Agricultural Research and Education Center.
“USDA and UMES are stewards of agricultural health. We work together to support a strong agricultural economy and protect our environment,” Moffitt said. “The collaboration with UMES underscores our shared dedication to advancing agricultural science and creating a qualified pool of professionals to meet current and future agricultural industry needs.”
The MOU encompasses a range of collaboration opportunities, including:
- Collaborating on emerging agricultural plant and animal health concerns and their impact on research, development, trade and regulation.
- Working together on research to support agricultural and plant health initiatives.
- Collaborating on projects, work groups, committees, seminars and other exchanges where scientific communities, and state and federal regulatory communities intersect.
- Developing a workforce ready for careers in agriculture, natural resources, food science and food safety.
- Seeking opportunities for APHIS and UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences students to collaborate and promote agriculture.
- Establishing an APHIS liaison at UMES to advance programs of mutual interest, including joint project planning and implementation, extension and outreach, research, teaching, and other authorized interests.
Moreover, the partnership will focus on increasing student research and career opportunities at APHIS and strengthening APHIS’ resources for plant and animal health-related research and career recruitment. Recruitment programs will include diversity and inclusion initiatives, including programs such as Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and APHIS AgDiscovery.
UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson added, “I am excited for this collaboration between UMES and APHIS. This comes at a critical time as UMES aims to launch a Veterinary Medicine Program. This agreement sets a framework for addressing the growing number of threats from plant and animal pests and diseases across the U.S. The opportunity will also ensure our students see a clear pathway to relevant careers.”
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Cecilia Sequeira, public affairs specialist, Public Affairs, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
K.CeciliaSequeira@usda.gov
Photos by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications, tdudek@umed.edu
