CAUSES Landgrant Centers

About CAUSES Land Grant Centers

Housed within the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, our land-grant centers are tasked with enhancing the quality of life of urban society.

CAUSES research is primarily guided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA)’s focus areas to:

Improve food security
Mitigate climate change
Combat childhood obesity and other food-related illness
Improve food safety
Improve water safety and management
Expand alternative energy solutions

CAUSES administers three grant programs to support research by UDC personnel, the Consortium of Universities of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, and other groups working in these focal areas.

Land Grant Centers

Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII)

The Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII) provides relevant and innovative applied research and education to make our cities and communities more resilient, equitable, and sustainable. CURII thought leadership provides urban communities to become more sustainable and resilient.

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Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE)

The Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE) seeks to expand academic and public knowledge of sustainable farming techniques that improve food and water security. The center also seeks to improve the health and wellness of people in the local community and around the world through research and education on urban and peri-urban agroecology and gardening techniques.

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Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health

The Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health (CNDH) offers high-quality, research-based community outreach programs that combat systemic urban nutrition and health issues. CNDH is dedicated to educating residents on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of obesity, heart disease, and other health threats. The program seeks to engage citizens in collaborative efforts to improve community health, obesity prevention, the quality of life, and economic opportunity for the District of Columbia, the nation, and the world

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CAUSES Academic Programs

Formed in 2010, the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) was established as a land-grant college at the University of the District of Columbia. Through applied teaching and research, it has been our mission to better the lives and economic opportunities of residents in our area and beyond!

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