Florida A&M University News April 13, 2016 FAMU’s Brooksville Program Begins To Take Shape, Patricia Green-Powell Tapped to Lead Former interim dean of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) College of Education Patricia Green-Powell, Ph.D., has been tapped to lead the Brooksville Agricultural Environmental Research Station (BAERS) located in Brooksville, Fla. Equipped with years of higher education leadership and administrative experience, Green-Powell will serve as the interim vice president of the research and training campus, which reflects the largest transfer of land to a land-grant, HBCU in USDA history. Powell is already on the move, holding the first on-site Advisory Planning Committee in Brooksville in late March. The group, appointed by President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., in February, met with Green-Powell to begin planning the execution of programs and uses of the land. She explained that she has hit the ground running and is wholly-dedicated to implementing the vision for BAERS. “I am overjoyed about leading the development of the FAMU Brooksville Agricultural Environmental Research Station,” Green-Powell said. “This station will create opportunities to not only preserve our 1890 land-grant identity, but it will maximize the use of existing resources, protect the natural resource base, minimize environmental impact, and maintain sustainability through mentoring in authentic agricultural settings.” Green-Powell said she is dedicated to ensuring that BAERS is not only beneficial to the FAMU community, but also to the communities of Brooksville and surrounding areas. “I look forward to working with the Brooksville community stakeholders to build ideas and support for BAERS. The Brooksville station will enhance the foundation of innovative service, effective training and clinical experiences, relevant research and inquiry, advanced technology, and meaningful partnerships and collaborations,” Green-Powell said. Brooksville, Fla. is a subtropical region and home to a myriad of subtropical fruits and animals typically found in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Farming and researching on the land will enable the University to boost educational training and development, strengthen its rich tradition of agricultural innovation, and generate opportunities for veterans and jobs for the citizens of the Hernando County area. The land will be used for agricultural and natural resource research for a period of not less than 25 years, to support and enhance agriculture research and technology transfer to farmers and local communities, including small farmers, minority farmers, Native Americans, and beginning ranchers. President Mangum said the research possibilities at the new research station in Brooksville are endless. “This property provides the University with a unique opportunity to develop not only innovative solutions to the world’s food production, food safety, and food security problems but also serves as a vehicle to promote sustainable farming and economic development,” Mangum said. “Dr. Green-Powell and the Committee will play a vital role in helping the University to explore a full range of innovative and creative options to accomplish these objectives.” In an effort to maximize the success of the historic acquisition of the Brooksville research property, President Mangum formed the Advisory Planning Committee. The group is comprised of established researchers, community leaders, state and local officials, higher education trailblazers, and distinguished alumni. As interim vice president, Green-Powell will work with the Committee to ensure the sustained success of BAERS. Committee members include: • Monica Rainge, state coordinator, Federation of Southern Cooperatives – Land Assistance Fund (committee chair) • Ray Mobley, Ph.D., former associate professor and coordinator of Animal Science and Research Programs at FAMU • Ulysses Glee, Ph.D., FAMU alumnus and managing member of the Fenton Group • Timothy Beard, Ph.D., FAMU alumnus and president of Pasco-Hernando State College • Leonard Sossamon, Hernando County administrator • T. Jennene Norman-Vacha, city manager of Brooksville • V. Eugene Rooks, former coordinator of research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science • Robert Taylor, Ph.D., dean of the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, ex-officio member SANDRA M. 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