Addressing agriculture’s next big challenges
The following article is also published in the June/July issue of Delaware Business Magazine, a publication of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
Agriculture is changing quickly, with farmers, researchers and communities facing growing pressure from climate change, crop disease, food security concerns, workforce demands and the rapid growth of new technology. At Delaware State University, those challenges are shaping a growing body of research, technology-driven training and hands-on student experiences designed to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Through its College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, DSU is connecting classroom learning with real-world research that addresses some of the most pressing issues facing agriculture in Delaware and beyond. That work includes climate-resilient agriculture, global field experiences, robotics, emerging technology and expanded access to advanced scientific tools.
A major part of that effort is the new Agilent Hub for Agriculture, Innovation and Extension, which opened in September 2025. The 10,500-square-foot facility expands DSU’s capacity for research, innovation, student training and industry collaboration. The project was supported through a public-private partnership that includes Agilent Technologies, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the State of Delaware.
The Hub connects to a broader investment in DSU students and research infrastructure. Agilent Technologies has invested $10 million in the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, including scholarships, instrumentation and support for the University’s first endowed professorship. University leaders have described the facility as a space where students, faculty and partners can work together on research and solutions tied to food, agriculture and innovation.
That work is already taking shape through faculty research, student training and field-based learning across the University.
In April, DSU researchers announced a new discovery related to strawberry disease resistance. The research focused on anthracnose, a fungal disease that can damage strawberry plants and contribute to crop losses. A DSU research team studied 31 strawberry genotypes and found that certain leaf hairs, known as trichomes, were closely linked to how well strawberry plants resisted the disease. The findings could help breeders develop strawberry varieties that are more naturally resistant to anthracnose and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Research tied to crop protection is expanding through major grant funding as well. Earlier this year, Dr. Vincent Fondong, a professor of biological sciences, received a four-year, $1.13 million USDA research grant to study Potato Virus Y, a virus that affects potato farming. His work adds to DSU’s growing research in plant health, crop protection and agricultural sustainability.
Technology is becoming another major piece of the University’s agricultural work. This summer, DSU will offer six robotics internships focused on the deployment of emerging technologies in agriculture, giving students hands-on experience with tools and systems that are expected to play a larger role in farming, research and food production.
Beyond the lab and classroom, students are gaining field experience in places where climate, sustainability and food systems intersect. In Belize, students conducted field research across rainforest and marine ecosystems, collecting and analyzing data on water quality, air conditions and chlorophyll levels. The experience gave students direct exposure to environmental research, sustainability and the connections between land, water and agricultural systems.
That global perspective extends to Senegal, where a DSU team studied climate-resistant agriculture, food security and the value chain of fonio, a drought-resistant West African grain. The work reflects the University’s commitment to helping students understand agriculture through both local and international challenges.
Together, these efforts show how Delaware State University is addressing agriculture’s changing future through research, technology and workforce development. As farmers and communities face new environmental and economic challenges, DSU is preparing students to help develop practical solutions with local, national and global impact.