"These institutions, originally established to support the education of Black students, continue to help bridge the gap in underserved communities, diversifying American agriculture and developing the pipeline of talented minds joining our agricultural workforce. As the industry takes on the major challenges that lie ahead, investing in our 1890 Land-Grant Institutions will be important to advance the leadership and competitiveness of the American food and agriculture industries," the lawmakers wrote.

The 1890 Land-Grant System consists of the following 19 universities: Alabama A&M, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University.

The letter writers continued, "Valuable research provided by 1890 Land-Grant Institutions helps to innovate new technologies and methods addressing various issues in agriculture, the benefits of which extend to communities well beyond the farm. For American agriculture to remain resilient, secure, and globally competitive, we must ensure equitable investment in all our Land-Grant Institutions, who have been drivers of innovation. Your State’s commitment to matching funding for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions will maximize agriculture’s talent pipeline and positively impact the next generation of agricultural leaders."

Read the full letter here.

In March of this year, Ranking Member Scott, a graduate of Florida A&M University, introduced a bill to make permanent and provide $100 million additional dollars in funding for student scholarships at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions.