SU opens new Agricultural Research Center

On January 11, 2002 a dedication ceremony was held introducing the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, along with the Livestock Show Arena.
The SUAREC was established on July 1, 2001 in order to improve land-grant programs on the citizenry of the state of Louisiana.
“Southern has an obligation to agriculture, science, mechanical and military science as a land-grant school,” said Leodrey Williams, chancellor of the center.
The extension part of the agricultural center was funded by federal funds and the research department was funded by the state.
“The state funds that were received for funding were a result of the Consent decree settlement,” said Williams.
The center has formed programs focused on: Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems, Human Nutrition, Diet and Health; Family, Youth Development and Enrichment; Urban Forestry, Natural Resources and Environment: and Economics, Marketing, Policy and Community Development.
“We have combined Cooperative Extension and Agricultural research to make this campus’s fifth college,” said Williams.
The center carries the name of the first administrator of the Southern University Cooperative Extension Program, Ashford O. Williams.
The new arena carries the name of Maurice A. Edmond former county agricultural assistant county agent in East Baton Rouge Parish.
The new arena will house Southern University’s annual livestock show and its construction was completed in the spring of 2000.
This year’s show will be held in March and will be the 59th time Southern has held the show.
“The show is used as a recruiting tool every year we are invite elementary, junior high and high school kids to come out to the show,” said Williams.