VSU MANRRS Chapter
"Changing the Face of Agriculture by Linking Hands around the World"
What is MANRRS?
MANRRS is a national society that welcomes membership of people of all racial and ethnic group participation in agricultural and related sciences careers.
History and Mission of MANRRS
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) began in 1986 as the collaborative vision of a group of agriculture students and faculty at Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University. Their goal was to develop a network between minority agriculture and natural resources students and professionals from the academic institutions, government sector and industry.
Today, the organization has grown into a national society serving over 40 different academic institutions nationwide. It Annual national conference now is a vibrant assembly of over 1,000 students and professionals from all racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. The national society of MANRRS holds true to its mission to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.
Mission:
“MANRRS promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences."
Why join MANRRS?
Being a MANRRS Member will allow you to experience the overall objective of the Society which is to promote and implement initiatives which foster inclusion and advancement of members of ethnic/cultural groups.
Membership:
Over 1200 members 70 Chapters across the nation Present in 38 states
Ethnicity:
Black/African American ……………… 74%
Hispanic/Latino ………………………. 14%
White/Caucasian …………………......... 6%
Asian/Pacific Islander ………………… 3%
Native American ……………………… 1%
Other ………………………………… . 2%
Gender:
Females…………..68%
Males……..………32%
Main Majors:
Ag Bus/Econ/Finance/Acctn/Bus Admn/Mgt ……………..21.0%
Agricultural Science………………… …………………….14.0%
Animal Science/Vet Science……….……………… ………18.5%
Biology………………………………..……………. ... ………8.5%
Food Science………………………………..………. ……… 6.0%
Ag Education/Family & Consumer Science….…………… 9.5%
Natural Resources/Plant/Soil/Environmental Sciences…15.0%
Engineering/Science/Technology………………………….. 7.5%
Important facts:
• Open to ALL ethnic backgrounds, not required to be a minority.
• Can use the term Multicultural Society if more comfortable.
• Most majors can be linked to Agriculture.
Student benefits:
• Develop Professional Skills
• Gain Access to a Diverse Career Network
• Get Exposed to Top Employers
• Participate in the National Conference Activities
• Local Chapter Support MANRRS
Organization:
National
• Workshops
• Student Competition
–Graduate - oral and poster research
– Undergraduate – speech (theme), essay and oral research
– Chapter of the year
• Training sessions
• Career Fair
• Networking
Regional
• Regional meetings are held usually in the Fall.
• Workshops
– Constitution
– Parliamentary procedure
– Resume and interviewing skills
• Team building activities
• Networking
• Chapter development
Local Chapter
• Provides mentoring and support for students
• Provides leadership training
• Encourages student involvement through university and community service projects
• Works with local and regional high schools to promote agriculture, natural resources and related sciences - Jr.-MANRRS Chapters
• Encourages academic excellence through participation in annual competitions.
Additional information:
• More than 50% of students members are from urban areas
• ~38% of students have participated in a governmental intern programs (80%- USDA; 20% DOI and others)
• ~ 22% of students have participated in a private industry intern programs
• 15% of students have participated in university sponsored summer research programs
• National Headquarters located in Atlanta, GA