FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2023

Contact: Erica Shambley, Interim Director of Marketing, 804-524-5965, eshambley@vsu.edu

ETTRICK, VA—Virginia State University College of Agriculture, which oversees Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Small Farm Outreach Program, announces its partnership with Miles J. Jones Elementary School. 

“Miles J. Jones Elementary School is thrilled about its upcoming partnership with VSU College of Agriculture and the Small Farm Outreach Program,” said Sonya Shaw, principal of Miles J. Jones Elementary School.

SFOP Director William Crutchfield is equally excited. “SFOP is always happy to partner with organizations, especially schools, to help advance young people’s understanding of agriculture,” said Crutchfield. 

Located in the City of Richmond, the urban-based, Title I school serves over 550 students, the majority of whom live below the national poverty line and have little if any experience in gardening or farming. 

“Despite rigorously teaching the Virginia Standards of Learning in science, the students rarely can apply science concepts to real-world situations. This partnership will help students make those connections,” said Shaw. “The opportunity to connect the SOLs to VSU’s research projects supports our learners in a fresh, new way.“ 

Shaw hopes this partnership will help children improve academically and positively influence their educational and career choices in the future. 

“This partnership is indicative of Greater Happens Here at VSU,” said Dr. Robert N. Corley III, interim dean and 1890 administrator for the College of Agriculture and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.“ Greater Grows Here at the College of Agriculture where stellar academics till the soil of fertile minds, state-of-the-art research helps develop evidence-based best practices and outreach programs positively impact Virginia’s students, youths, small farms, local communities and economy.”

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law. 

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