“Investing in an organic and equitable future for U.S. farming and agriculture is imperative to advancing our food systems and ensuring broader access to organic food for all,” said Dr. Joe K. Kpomblekou, research professor of plant and soil science at Tuskegee University. “We are grateful to Clif Bar for their industry leadership and commitment to organic research and education, which will ultimately benefit not just Tuskegee University but inspire more Black leaders in organic farming.”
The award will fund future opportunities and activities that increase the adoption of organic farming practices in the Southeast and increase equity in organic farming. It will support the work of Kpomblekou and the university’s Plant and Soil Science Professor and Researcher Dr. Franklin Quarcoo in developing a network of organic research among Southeast academic institutions, with a focus on HBCUs.
Founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee has a long history of innovation in agriculture, including the contributions of George Washington Carver who worked at the university most of his adult life and is known for his work on soil chemistry and crop rotation, and his commitment to support Southern Black farmers. Today, the university has a center for Plant Biotechnology Research which is training scientists from around the world and has one of the first centers funded by NASA to develop a technology for growing food in space during human space missions.
Clif Bar has been a champion for the planet since its founding 30 years ago, which includes a longtime commitment to sustainable agriculture practices including organic, having purchased more than 1.4 billion tons of organic ingredients since 2003.
“At Clif, our purpose is to redesign the business of food for the benefit of health, equity and Earth, and supporting Tuskegee’s work to make organic more accessible and equitable is a meaningful way to deliver on that promise,” said Senior Vice President of Impact & Communications at Clif Bar & Company, Roma McCaig. “We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and are proud to support Tuskegee’s work that will help create a more inclusive future for organic farming.”