Equipped with years of higher education leadership and
administrative experience, Green-Powell will serve as the interim vice
president of the research and training campus, which reflects the largest
transfer of land to a land-grant, HBCU in U.S. Department of Agriculture history.
Powell is already on the move, holding the first on-site Advisory Planning Committee in Brooksville in late March. The group, appointed by President Elmira Mangum in February, met with Green-Powell to begin planning the execution of programs and uses of the land.
She explained that she has hit the ground running and is wholly-dedicated to implementing the vision for BAERS.
“I am overjoyed about leading the development of the FAMU
Brooksville Agricultural Environmental Research Station,” Green-Powell
said. “This station will create
opportunities to not only preserve our 1890 land-grant identity, but it will
maximize the use of existing resources, protect the natural resource base,
minimize environmental impact, and maintain sustainability through mentoring in
authentic agricultural settings.”
Green-Powell said she is dedicated to ensuring that BAERS is
not only beneficial to the FAMU community, but also to the communities of
Brooksville and surrounding areas.
“I look forward to working with the Brooksville community
stakeholders to build ideas and support for BAERS. The Brooksville station will
enhance the foundation of innovative service, effective training and clinical
experiences, relevant research and inquiry, advanced technology, and meaningful
partnerships and collaborations,” Green-Powell said.
Brooksville, Fla. is a subtropical region and home to a
myriad of subtropical fruits and animals typically found in Central America,
South America, and the Caribbean. Farming and researching on the land will
enable the University to boost educational training and development, strengthen
its rich tradition of agricultural innovation, and generate opportunities for
veterans and jobs for the citizens of the Hernando County area.
The land will be used for agricultural and natural resource
research for a period of not less than 25 years, to support and enhance
agriculture research and technology transfer to farmers and local communities,
including small farmers, minority farmers, Native Americans, and beginning
ranchers.
Mangum said the research possibilities at the new
research station in Brooksville are endless.
“This property provides the University with a unique
opportunity to develop not only innovative solutions to the world’s food
production, food safety, and food security problems but also serves as a
vehicle to promote sustainable farming and economic development,” Mangum said.
“Dr. Green-Powell and the Committee will play a vital role in helping the
University to explore a full range of innovative and creative options to
accomplish these objectives.”
In an effort to maximize the success of the historic
acquisition of the Brooksville research property, Mangum formed the
Advisory Planning Committee. The group is comprised of established researchers,
community leaders, state and local officials, higher education trailblazers,
and distinguished alumni.
As interim vice president, Green-Powell will work with the
Committee to ensure the sustained success of BAERS.
Committee members include:
• Monica Rainge,
state coordinator, Federation of Southern Cooperatives – Land Assistance Fund
(committee chair)
• Ray Mobley,
Ph.D., former associate professor and coordinator of Animal Science and
Research Programs at FAMU
• Ulysses Glee,
Ph.D., FAMU alumnus and managing member of the Fenton Group
• Timothy Beard,
Ph.D., FAMU alumnus and president of Pasco-Hernando State College
• Leonard Sossamon,
Hernando County administrator
• T. Jennene
Norman-Vacha, city manager of Brooksville
• V. Eugene Rooks,
former coordinator of research at the University of Florida Institute of Food
and Agricultural Science
• Robert Taylor,
Ph.D., dean of the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, ex-officio
member