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WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA/1890 National Scholars Program applications for the 2010 academic school year now are being accepted. Aspiring high school seniors and rising college sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply before the Feb. 1, 2010 deadline.

"This program furthers the Obama Administration's goal of promoting and encouraging America's young men and women to consider careers in agriculture and public service," said Vilsack. "Under this terrific partnership College-bound students benefit from an outstanding educational opportunity and USDA benefits from the knowledge, talent, diversity and skills that they will one day bring to our organization."


The scholarship program is a partnership initiative between USDA and the 1890 Land Grant Universities and Tuskegee University. It is designed to expand diversity in USDA through the recruitment of talented students into public service in agriculture and related fields, including food sciences, natural resource sciences and agricultural sciences.

Since the inception of the National Scholars Program in 1992, USDA has funded scholarships for over 500 students. Through this partnership, USDA also hires these graduates into career positions. USDA/1890 scholarship recipients receive full tuition, fees, books, use of laptop computers and printers, software, employment and employee benefits for each of the four years they pursue a bachelor's degree. For each year of the scholarship, students receive room and board provided by the partnering institutions. Students are required to work one year at USDA for each year of their scholarship.

The mission of the Land-Grant system is to teach, conduct research and provide outreach. The system was initiated by President Abraham Lincoln with the passing of the Morrill Act of 1862. A second Morrill Act was passed in 1890 to grant freed slaves and African Americans access to Land-Grant institutions in Southern States. The passage of this bill brought educational opportunities in technical, military and agricultural sciences to the general working class population who had no other access to higher levels of learning.

USDA selects scholars based on recommendations of participating 1890 Land-Grant Institutions and Tuskegee University. The 1890 Land Grant Institutions include: Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University.

For 2009, the following 23 USDA/1890 National Scholars were selected: Kenneth Blackson, Jr., Winnsboro, La.; Vincent Brazelton, Jr., Huntsville, Ala.; Kimble Brown, Jr., Delmar, Md.; Sebastian Cartwright, Pocomoke City, Md.; Lea Claye, Beltsville, Md.; Clyde Ellis, Jr., Surry, Va.; Keith Gauff II, Zachary, La.; Kelly Hall, Berlin, Md.; Candace Harvey, Brundidge, Ala.; Jonathan Heard, Olive Branch, Miss.; Justin Holley, Huntsville, Ala.; Joshua Kim, Muskego, Wis.; Sean Kirkland, Waynesboro, Ga.; Kenyatta Lawyer, Hardeeville, S.C.; Jessica McAfee, Pine Bluff, Ark.; Michelle McIntyre, Talsassee, Ala.; Travis Miller, Opelousas, La.; Alana Rhone, Texarkana, Texas; Sydney Smith, Kansas City, Mo.; Jerrod Turner, San Antonio, Texas; Christen Watson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; DaJaynae Williams, Jarrat, Va.; and Merica-Wheesuk Xiong, Cassville, Mo.


For more information about the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, contact Carl Butler, Program Manager, USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, at

(202) 720-9238 or by e-mail at: 1890init@usda.gov. For more information or to access the application, visit the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program webpage at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/1890programs.html. Applicants should save the application to their computer, complete the form, and mail it to the USDA/1890 Agricultural Liaison Officer at the 1890 University of choice.