The SUSHI Project
This work is supported by AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant no. 2021-69012-35918 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
What is SUSHI?
The Sustainable Use of a Safe Hemp Ingredient (SUSHI) Project is a sustainable agriculture project funded through the USDA NIFA AFRI SAS.
​
Our HBCU-led, transdisciplinary Land-Grant team - partnering 1890 HBCU, 1994 Tribal College, and 1862 Institutions - is investigating hemp as feed for aquaculture to alleviate safety concerns of seafood consumption; increase economic markets and production sustainability for both seafood and hemp; and improve human health.
Our Approach
.png)
Research
This includes the goal of establishing hemp grain as a feed ingredient for use in the raising of fish for human consumption. On the economics side of research SUSHI is prioritizing environmentally and economically beneficial methods for accomplishing this. Finally, SUSHI research teams are establishing a new line of research at the College of Menominee.
.png)
Extension
This is the community outreach, learning, and community-based education arm of the project, and includes free aquaponics and hemp workshops offered for community members in and around the Menominee Reservation, the provision of aquaponics systems for a limited number of workshop participants seeking to become producers, and community engagement informed and guided by the Menominee community. This includes developing community-desired nutrition programs, start-up funding for new food businesses in aquaponics, and produce and fish distribution for the most vulnerable members of the community.
.png)
Education
This includes a full scholarship for Native students seeking a 4-year degree in one of four Agri-STEM disciplines. Our team has ensured that this pathway will be as easy as possible for students to access and navigate, minimizing financial concerns and complications wherever possible. The SUSHI-funded scholarship not only includes tuition and fees, but also food, room and board, and books for eligible students. Faculty and peers will be assigned to mentor and support these students as they matriculate through their program of choice. Additionally, each previous cohort of students will also serve as mentors to each subsequent cohort.