College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

National Activities

A group of students and instructors sit around a table with laptops, smiling and celebrating a success. One student gestures excitedly while a woman standing behind them raises her arms in triumph.

Harmandeep Sharma, Ph.D., and students react after finding out that they've moved into first place in a practice round for the Cyber & AI Games In Agriculture hackathon, part of the 135th Morrill Act events.

On September 9 and 10, 2025, representatives and members of the nineteen 1890 institutions gathered in the nation’s capital for the 135th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act of 1890. Signed by President Benjamin Harrison, the Act ensured that states receiving land-grant funds either integrated their universities or established separate ones for Black students—giving rise to the 1890 land-grant HBCUs, including North Carolina A&T State University. Founded in 1891, N.C. A&T began with just 37 students and four teachers before moving to Greensboro in 1892, where it laid the foundation for its land-grant legacy ( N.C. A&T History).

The anniversary featured the launch of the HBCU-led Cyber & AI Games in Agriculture, a reception at the National 4-H Council headquarters, and the 19-Strong Legacy Pathway photo exhibit, celebrating each institution’s impact.

Launching the First HBCU-Led Cyber & AI Games in Agriculture

N.C. A&T faculty were among the many 1890 institution representatives celebrating the Second Morrill Act's 135th anniversary in Washington, D.C. From left: Alton Thompson, Ph.D.; Claudette Smith, Ph.D.; Radiah Minor, Ph.D.; Gregory Goins, Ph.D.; Oliver M. Thomas, Ph.D.; and M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D.

Innovation met education on September 9, 2025, with the launch of the Cyber and AI Games for Agriculture. Hosted at the University of the District of Columbia, this groundbreaking event will challenge student teams to solve real-world agricultural cybersecurity scenarios.

N.C. A&T’s team, “AgTech Aggies,” led by Harmandeep Sharma, Ph.D., took on 25 food and agriculture-related challenges at the intersection of agriculture, artificial intelligence and cyber defense. Congratulations to AgTech Aggies for a fantastic fourth-place finish!

A Reception at the New Home of the National 4-H Council

Plans are underway for a celebratory reception at the new headquarters of the National 4-H Council. Approximately 150 attendees will be invited to connect, reflect, and celebrate the collective impact of 1890 institutions. Final confirmation of the venue is expected soon.

Four people stand together in a formal office setting, posing for a photo. Behind them are several U.S. and state flags, along with a seal that reads “U.S. House of Representatives.” The room has framed documents and photographs on the walls, two lit table lamps, and a large hanging light fixture overhead.

CAES faculty members met with U.S. legislators during their September visit to Washington, D.C. Pictured (from left): M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D., associate dean and administrator of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T; U.S. Representative Tim Moore (N.C.- 14); CAES interim dean Radiah Minor, Ph.D.; and Alton Thompson, Ph.D., executive director for the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD).

Amplifying the 1890 Story on Capitol Hill

The anniversary presented a timely opportunity to bring the 1890 story directly to members of Congress. University leaders scheduled Capitol Hill visits with their delegations while in Washington, D.C.

19-Strong Legacy Pathway

A large-scale photography exhibit, with the following four themes, told the story of the 19-strong campuses’ impact:

Celebrating Legacy
Growing Opportunities
Inspiring Innovation
Uplifting Communities