July 10, 2024
K-State Jr. MANRRS hosts summer events
This past June, the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension Diversity Programs Office were busy with the K-State Jr. MANRRS, or Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, summer events.
Each of the Jr. MANRRS events strives to host underrepresented and urban middle school and high school students for an opportunity to explore majors and careers in the agriculture industry. The students also participate in hands-on activities surrounding agriculture. This summer, the Diversity Programs Office partnered with National MANRRS, Cargill, the College of Agriculture Academic Programs, the Kansas Black Farmers Association, the Willow Lake Student Farm, K-State Housing and Dining Services, and the K-State departments of entomology, grain science and industry, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural economics/agribusiness, and animal sciences and industry.
The Diversity Programs Office hosted the following four K-State Jr. MANRRS events this summer:
On May 30, the Diversity Programs Office hosted Topeka Jr. MANRRS who brought 11 students for a Jr. MANRRS College for a Day. The group learned about the College of Agriculture, scholarships and were able to tour the K-State meat sciences unit. The group also enjoyed eating in Kramer Dining Center and touring the dorms.
On June 10, the Salina TRIO Upward Bound attended K-State Jr. MANRRS College for a Day. The group brought 32 students to learn about K-State College of Agriculture. Throughout the day, the students were able to tour the Sheep and Meat Goats Unit and receive a driving tour of the agronomy and animal science farms.
On June 18, the Kansas City High Aspirations attended a K-State Jr. MANRRS College for a Day. The group brought 19 students to campus to learn about K-State College of Agriculture. Throughout the day, the students had the opportunity to make baked goods and learn about the milling science processes.
Finally, June 23-28, the Diversity Programs Office hosted 26 students for the Switzer/K-State Jr. MANRRS Ag Camp for Youth in partnership with the Kansas Black Farmers Association. A $145,000 grant from Cargill and sponsorship from the Kansas Agriculture Conversation Districts and NRCS made this camp possible. The students stayed on the K-State Manhattan campus for three days to learn about K-State and the College of Agriculture, then they traveled to Western Kansas where they visited stayed in the historic town of Nicodemus and visited Cargill Horizons in WaKeeney, and USDA NRCS in Osborne. During their time at K-State, the campers participated in a variety of activities at the K-State Insect Zoo, Willow Lake Student Farm, Dairy Farm, Bakery Science, Milling Science and K-State Gardens
Continued thanks to all of our partners who make these events possible. For more information about upcoming events or to collaborate with the Diversity Programs Office, please call 785-532-5793 or contact Zelia Wiley at zwiley@k-state.edu