Southern University Ag Center presents research, workforce programs and funding request to Senate committee

Orlando McMeans, interim president of the Southern University System and chancellor of the Southern University Ag Center, briefed the Senate agriculture committee on April 14 about the center's academic, research and extension work and its near-term funding needs.

McMeans described three mission areas — research, extension and academics — and highlighted a roughly 400‑acre research footprint, doctoral programs (including environmental toxicology), revived aquaculture and aquaponics work, and growing viticulture and enology efforts tied to a USDA-backed vineyard and winery project of about 12–13 acres. He credited programs such as JAGSTAR and the 1890 scholars with improving student outcomes; he said five of the center's students were accepted into LSU's veterinary school last year, above historical norms.

On finances, McMeans said the Ag Center's base appropriation is $7.5 million (up from $3.9M when he arrived) and that leadership continues to press for a $10 million base. He also said the center faces federal funding contractions, noting "we were cut over $4,500,000 last year from the federal level," which led to staffing impacts. McMeans and committee members discussed one‑time funding priorities and the center's need to move a $9.2 million project from P5 to a higher priority in the appropriation process.

Committee members asked about scholarship restoration and workforce partnerships with USDA. McMeans said a prior reduction in an annual scholarship allotment (from $1,000,000 to $500,000) was a technicality and that the funding is returning. Lawmakers praised the center's extension reach into 64 parishes and its food giveaways and workforce development efforts.

What happens next: the center's requests will be considered during the budget and appropriations process; committee members encouraged continued coordination with LSU and USDA.