The 1890 Land-grant Universities form a strong regional network advancing education, research and Extension in rural and urban communities. Together, they deliver solutions that improve economic and social well-being.
Grounded in the land-grant mission, the 1890s provide practical, research-based learning that addresses real-world challenges, from food security and workforce readiness to resilient agriculture and youth development.
Turning research into action, these 19 historically Black universities are building sustainable food systems, enhancing environmental resilience and advancing emerging technologies in agriculture. Their Extension programs bring this work to communities through hands-on learning and programs designed to expand opportunities for all and prepare future leaders.
Those efforts span key focus areas, including:
- 4-H youth development
- Nutrition and health
- Sustainable food systems
- Community economic development
- Water resilience
- Resilient lands
- Student success and workforce development
- Artificial intelligence for agriculture
Learn more about the history of the 1890 Land-grant Universities
Established through the Second Morrill Act of 1890, the 1890 Land-grant Universities have driven America’s agricultural productivity for more than 135 years. Their three-part mission (Extension, education and research) continues to improve the quality of life nationwide. Watch this informative video to learn more: https://1890aea.org/about-aea.
1890 Land-grant Universities
Alabama A&M University | Alcorn State University | Central State University | Delaware State University | Florida A&M University | Fort Valley State University | Kentucky State University | Langston University | Lincoln University | North Carolina A&T State University | Prairie View A&M University | South Carolina State University | Southern University and A&M College | Tennessee State University | Tuskegee University | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Virginia State University | West Virginia State University
Explore newsletters and impact reports
Engage in these monthly updates and annual reports showcasing the collective impact of the 1890 region:
- Association of Extension Administrators: https://1890aea.org/
- Association of 1890 Research Directors: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/ard/
- agInnovation: https://www.aginnovation.info/1890s-institutions
- 2026 1890 Impact Report: https://1890aea.org/download_file/1463/200
- Previous 1890 Impact Reports: https://1890aea.org/reports-resources
2026 Featured Impacts
- All
- Agricultural Systems
- Environmental Stewardship
- Food Security
- Nutrition and Health
- Youth, Family, and Communities
Strengthening youth development through experiential learning
Experiential learning equips young people with hands-on skills, critical thinking abilities and real-world problem-solving experiences that strengthen academic success, workforce readiness and lifelong learning. Through […]
Empowering communities by advancing digital literacy
Digital literacy is essential to economic mobility, civic engagement and workforce readiness in today’s communities. Extension programs at 1890 land‑grant universities play a vital role […]
Connecting rural communities through digital opportunities and education
Limited availability of reliable broadband and digital tools continues to restrict educational attainment, workforce participation and access to essential services in rural Georgia. Communities surrounding […]
Smart irrigation helps farmers save water
Many farmers rely on traditional methods to decide when to irrigate their fields, using visual cues like wilting leaves or the feel of dry soil. […]
Innovative methods for safer, healthier food production practices
Regional food production is critical to local economies and supporting American food systems. Rising reports of foodborne illnesses, increased antibiotic resistance and newer production systems […]
Land-grant universities educate individuals and communities about health, nutrition and chronic disease prevention
Many American individuals and communities struggle with building or maintaining healthy lifestyles that contribute to better health outcomes. A lack of awareness of health information […]
Informed decisions to optimize water use and irrigation investments
Harsh weather conditions and limited water access are driving research and technology innovation that will help farmers and producers make informed decisions about irrigation investments […]
Advancing higher education and career readiness
Sectors across the agricultural landscape need more educated and skilled workers to support our national and local food systems. 1890 land-grant universities offer different pathways […]
Tech solutions for livestock management
Livestock producers face challenges such a shrinking labor force, limited veterinary access and rising costs. Artificial intelligence, precision agriculture technologies and genome sequencing have shown […]
4-H programs prepare youth for college and careers
Professional skills like leadership, communication, problem solving and responsibility are important in any job or career. Land-grant university Extension 4-H programs help youth cultivate these […]
Enhancing food safety with research and training
The United States food supply is among the safest in the world, but every day news stories report food recalls for a variety of safety […]
Connecting communities through digital skills, broadband initiatives
Extension programs at land-grant universities address community needs nationwide by expanding digital infrastructure, supporting economic development and building technology skills. These efforts strengthen educational connections […]
Food is medicine
The “food is medicine” approach emphasizes the role diet has in preventing disease, supporting overall health and improving quality of life. Land-grant universities connect research-based […]
Extension programs strengthen families through health, parenting initiatives
Healthy and resilient communities are built by supporting families and youths through reliable childcare, mobile health services and strong, healthy relationships. Extension-led efforts strengthen well-being […]
EXCITE community immunity: Langston University expands vaccine awareness through trusted outreach
Vaccination rates remain low across Oklahoma, particularly in communities experiencing higher poverty and chronic disease, increasing preventable health risks and widening health disparities. Fewer than […]
Expanding food and nutrition education among youth
Early habits among youth often last a lifetime. Extension provides the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to both youth and adults to improve […]
New maternal health program strengthens preparedness, well-being
Many pregnant women face preventable complications, inadequate postpartum education and challenges with self-advocacy during medical appointments. According to CDC data, Ohio’s maternal mortality rate average […]
Addressing food insecurity to drive community impact
Food security is fundamental to the health, resilience and economic vitality of rural and urban communities. Across the United States,1890 Land‑grant Universities are uniquely positioned […]
Lending library saves schools time and money
Over 50% of West Virginia’s children in public schools are from low-income families and half of the state’s schools are designated as Title I, experiencing […]
Preserving food traditions
America’s heritage is deeply rooted in food. It’s important for people to learn where food comes from, how it is produced and how to prepare […]
Empowering economic resilience through Extension
Across 1890 land-grant universities, Extension programs play a critical role in strengthening economic stability by delivering trusted, community-based education and technical assistance to underserved rural […]
Extension program empowers Alabama entrepreneurs to build successful businesses
Business failures in Alabama mirror national patterns, often fueled by poor planning, weak financial management, ineffective marketing, cash flow problems and ineffective leadership. According to […]
Encouraging health and wellness in U.S. youth through hands-on activities, education
One in five school-aged children nationally suffer from obesity, and regular physical activity and balanced diets can lead to improved focus, behavior, self-esteem and academic […]
Immersive study abroad builds language skills and global readiness in Arkansas
University students must develop foreign language fluency and cross-cultural competence to remain competitive in today’s global workforce. Traditional classroom instruction often limits opportunities for real-world […]
Near-peer mentors expand 4-H program reach in Tennessee
While Tennessee 4-H serves over 140,500 youths across the state, many rural communities and communities with limited resources do not have the same programs that […]
Ginger fills a niche in North Carolina
Extension specialists in North Carolina led a program to help small and limited-resource farmers learn about growing ginger, a high-value specialty crop. Since ginger is […]
Enhancing the safety and nutrition of hydroponic produce
Hydroponic farming offers a sustainable way to grow safe, healthy food while using less water, land and energy. However, food safety concerns and limited strategies […]
New fruit, vegetable cultivars offer new opportunities for growers
Developing or restoring different fruit and vegetable cultivars allow farmers to plant crops based on disease resistance, fertilizer requirements, adaptations to site-specific soil and weather […]
Horticulture programs sprout more resilient communities
Local horticulture is an important tool to combat food insecurity in underserved communities, while boosting environmental sustainability and community health. Volunteers with horticulture training through […]
Strengthening the agricultural workforce for the future
The workforce is changing. Across industries and states, trained workers are in demand to support local food systems, meet community needs, ensure safety and increase […]
Empowering community resilience
Community resilience support is a critical function of the land-grant system because it equips individuals, families and local organizations with the knowledge, tools and partnerships […]
Protecting private forests by growing good stewardship
More than half of forest land in the United States is privately owned. This land produces nearly all of the harvested timber that is used […]
Reducing farm stress
Farm stress management addresses the unique mental, emotional and financial pressures that agricultural producers face, helping them build resilience as they confront unpredictable weather, volatile […]
Improving financial literacy and well-being in adults
Adults in the U.S. often struggle with financial well-being. They face challenges including insufficient savings, debt struggles and confusion around changing tax codes. The Land-grant […]
Hands-on learning through trials and demonstrations
Lack of awareness and understanding of the latest research and technologies can impact profitability on small farms. Land-grant universities provide hands-on learning opportunities where producers […]
Healthy aging
Healthy aging is essential for maintaining independence, well-being and quality of life as people grow older, and it benefits not only individuals but also their […]
Making aquaculture more productive, safe and economical
The seafood industry is economically vital and provides an important source of protein for the world. Challenges to aquaculture include inefficient production methods, expensive feed […]
Supporting meat and dairy industries
Meat and dairy provide critical protein and a wide variety of other products for consumers and represent economically important industries across the country, not just […]
Growing food security in urban spaces
Urban communities continue to face persistent constraints related to food access, limited growing space and water availability. Urban, small-scale food production, including controlled environment agriculture […]
Land-grant universities improve lives through diabetes education, prevention
More than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and nearly 98 million have prediabetes, which costs the U.S. $412.9 billion annually between health care and lost […]