MSU receives $600K in agriculture grants

Benjamin Onyango

Chin-Feng Hwang

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A pair of Missouri State University agriculture professors have received grants totaling roughly $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Benjamin Onyango was awarded a $299,975 grant for his research on goat meat in the American diet. Chin-Feng Hwang received $299,879 for his grape breeding research. Both professors work at the William H. Darr College of Agriculture, according to a news release.

“We’re immensely proud of our professors whose dedication to innovation and excellence in agricultural research has earned these grants,” said Melissa Bledsoe, interim dean of the Darr College of Agriculture, in the release. “Their work not only reflects the caliber of talent within our college, but also underscores our commitment to advancing agriculture.”

The grants are part of NIFA’s investment of more than $7 million for 22 projects aimed to assist public colleges or universities offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of food and agricultural sciences.

In his project, Onyango will conduct experiments over three years to understand how people perceive and accept goat meat. He also will investigate what hinders stores from selling it.

Hwang’s three-year research seeks to identify factors that protect grape dormant buds from winter freeze damage, which can result in crop loss and economic hardship for vineyards. According to the release, his goals include accelerating breeding cycles and helping improve the grape industry.