FROM THE DIRECTOR
LAND-GRANT TRIPARTITE MISSION
As an 1890 Land-Grant University, Central State University is committed to serving its constituents via its tripartite mission of Research, Teaching, and Extension.
Greetings, As Central State University celebrates the 135th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act, which established the 1890 Land-Grant system, I am excited to introduce the first edition of “Central Ag Focus” magazine for Spring 2025. This edition commemorates this significant occasion and showcases the numerous advancements made by Central State University’s Division of Research and Economic Development, as well as the 1890 Land-Grant Programs, in our campus and communities throughout Ohio. It is my privilege to lead this remarkable division and highlight the impactful achievements of our faculty, staff, and students in research, extension, and teaching— CSU’s core pillars.
In support of CSU’s tripartite mission, the University is building its Research and Demonstration Complex (RDC). Phase I is well underway and includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot research building. The construction of a 10,000- square-foot advanced core laboratory and office space for faculty, research staff, and student researchers has been completed. Phase II is a buildout of the remaining 30,000 square feet, featuring research laboratories dedicated to food microbiology, precision agriculture and robotics, soil and water research and testing, molecular biology, and tissue culture. Phase III will include additional training facilities at the RDC, along with several outdoor demonstration components to enhance research, extension, and teaching activities focusing on food, agriculture, and natural resources. Central State University Extension remains focused on improving agriculture sustainability while promoting the economic development of communities and individuals and the overall well-being of Ohio families, particularly those in underserved communities. Our programming reaches individuals, families, and businesses in 42 Ohio counties. By providing hands-on experience and education, we nurture the next generation of urban and small-scale farmers, instilling a sense of responsibility and connection to the land. On the research front, Central State University is rapidly progressing as a Research University in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education and attracting externally sponsored funding to implement the Institutional research portfolio for discoveries in the life sciences of agriculture and biotechnology, as well as engineering, health, mathematics, computer, and social sciences. Central State is slated to receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish the Midwest Climate Resilience Center. This initiative will address risks to soil and drinking water quality from extreme rain and flooding events across the Miami Valley. The University will partner with Ohio State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on this project. On the teaching side, the Institution is highlighting in this issue its Next-Gen of Agricultural Professionals program and students guided by dedicated faculty mentors to become the agricultural professionals of tomorrow. Students’ reflections in this issue show how deeply they are impacted by their learning and professional growth. My deepest gratitude goes to our faculty, staff, and students for their hard work and dedication, as well as to our partners for their unwavering support. Together, we will continue leading educational programming that is highly responsive to our stakeholders and community needs, as Central State University embarks upon its second decade as an 1890 Land-Grant University and delivers on its tripartite mission of research, extension, and teaching.
Jose U. Toledo, Ph.D. Vice President, Research and Economic Development, Director, 1890 Land-Grant Programs
1890 LAND-GRANT | 3
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease