Genesis of MANRRS

Historically, minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related areas pursued their studies and professional careers relatively isolated from peers in similar disciplines from like ethnic/cultural backgrounds. At the large agricultural universities, their numbers were small and they were distributed over many majors and semester standings which limited opportunities for interaction. At the institutions where minority students represented the majority of the total enrollment, the numbers of students who chose agriculture and related majors were also relatively small. However, for them, ethnic/cultural isolation was not as much the problem as was disciplinary separation. Small numbers of minorities graduating with college degrees in agricultural and related areas generated small populations of minority professionals in these disciplines. The result was a limited pool of minority role models to attract minority students to agricultural sciences or to encourage those who did enroll in these majors to persevere to graduation and career entry. In most agricultural disciplines, the pool of minority professionals was even too small for effective networking to promote self survival and advancement in a sometimes unwelcoming work environment.

On some campuses, organizations of minority students in agricultural sciences developed to address these issues. However, their ability to form effective support networks was constrained by their small number at any one institution. A student in one such group at Michigan State University approached a supportive faculty member to discuss a solution to the problem. These two contacted an equally concerned staff person at Penn State University and arranged a strategy session of representatives from the two institutions. At this informal meeting, held at Penn State University April, 1985, the concept of a national network for minorities in agriculture and related areas was formed.

The first annual meeting of what was to evolve into MANRRS convened at Michigan State University April, 1986. About 40 students and faculty from six universities participated. MANRRS was registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Michigan in 1989. The society's central goal is "... inclusion, achievement, and advancement of all people in the agricultural sciences." (MANRRS Constitution). MANRRS originated to provide a supportive network to promote personal, scholarly and professional development of minority students in agricultural and related sciences. Participation is now well over 400 members including students from over 30 universities and professionals from academe, business and government. However, student development remains as the highest priority of the order.

Dr. William Henson, MANRRS Historian

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