Academy Part of 1890 Land-Grant Partnership to Increase USDA Workforce
AAMU Hosts AgriFCS Summer Camp to Inspire Next Generation of Leaders
Alabama A&M University’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences recently hosted a dynamic, week-long Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences (AgriFCS) Academy summer camp June 8-12, 2025, introducing 10 high school students to exciting career paths in Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH).
The AgriFCS Camp was made possible through a $8.7 million, five-year grant from the USDA and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA’s) From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Food and Agriculture Professionals Program. The initiative, a partnership between Alabama A&M University and South Carolina State University, provides scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, and career exposure to reduce barriers for future FANH professionals.
The immersive experience gave students a taste of campus life with accommodations at the Andrew and Abbiegail Hugine Living and Learning Complex and dining at the Wilson Dining Hall. Throughout the week, students engaged in hands-on workshops in Apparel Merchandising and Design, Nutrition and Hospitality Management, Human Development and Family Studies, and Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
A highlight of the camp was a visit to the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station, where students toured the facility and participated in a Workforce Development workshop. The hands-on workshops concluded with a session led by Dr. Ethel Jones, Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences and Principal Investigator, who encouraged students to explore fulfilling careers within FANH fields.
Beyond academics, the camp emphasized creativity and personal growth through activities such as scrapbooking, painting, and vision board creation. The program wrapped up with an inspiring trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, where students discovered how FANH disciplines intersect with space exploration and STEM innovations.
“This camp is part of our ongoing commitment to cultivating the next generation of food and agriculture professionals,” said Jones. “We want students to envision themselves as leaders in industries that impact every aspect of daily life – from nutrition and fashion to family wellbeing and agricultural sustainability.”
For more information about the AgriFCS Academy or upcoming programs, email ethel.jones@aamu.edu.