NextGen summer camp holds raspberry harvest bonanza

Central State University NextGen Program and CSU Extension proudly hosted 21 high school students from June 16-27 for the 2025 Summer Camp. Supported by the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Next Generation (NextGen) Program, this immersive experience provided students with unique, hands-on research opportunities across five specialized laboratory groups. Picking of raspberries was one of the highlights of the NextGen in Ag summer camp 2025.

Participants explored topics in:

1. Apiculture and Mite-Resistant Honey Bees - Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay
2. Hemp Seed Research and Plant Biology - Dr. Craig Schluttenhofer
3. Raspberry Cultivation and Precision Agriculture - Dr. Rajveer Dhillon
4. Nutrigenomics and Food-Based Nutrition - Dr. Pratibha Gupta
5. Crop Pollinators and the Silflower - Dr. Marcus Nagle

The summer initiative reflects Central State University's commitment to preparing the next generation of agricultural scientists and innovators -- especially from underrepresented communities -- through experiential learning and mentorship.

CSU Extension's Interim 4-H Program Leader Janet Corne'y, Nathan Hart, Perry Mason, and Michael McMurray helped to organize the high school summer camps.