Unlocking Unlimited Potential
Using the Power of Agriculture to Transform Lives
through Research & Specialized Programs
Addressing social determinants of health through food
Food Justice, Accessibility, Equity, Inclusion, and Research
The George Washington Carver Food Research Institute’s (GWCFRI) ultimate purpose is to ensure that all people have access to nutritious, safe and affordable food. GWCFRI looks to conduct cutting edge research to address the underlying issues of obesity, malnutrition, health, food insecurity, and poverty in urban and rural communities. Furthermore, the Institute uses food science, state-of-the-art controlled environment agricultural system, wellness modalities and entrepreneurship as its foundational platform to provide educational tools and training to supplement and support schools, community-based associations, health professionals, government agencies, HBCUs, and faith-based organizations.
Ag Career Development
Future Food Pros™ exposes underserved children and their families to Agriculture Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Art and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) careers and training, with the intention of introducing urban children to the plethora of career pathways which exists in the Food & Beverage Industry.
Food Entrepreneurial Training
Food Entrepreneurial Training Academy offers training bootcamp and courses for adults and teens. GWCFRI provides in depth entrepreneurial training with the focus on creating sustainable, large scale, food-based business enterprises.
Wellness Offerings
Through Nourishe Wellness and a holistic approach, GWCFRI provides mindfulness, culinary & nutritional training to address mental, emotional, and health needs of our constituents.
A leader in agriculture innovation
Dr. George Washington Carver inspires GWCFRI because of his innovation and his willingness to teach. Born on a farm around 1864 near Diamond, MO, Carver was well-educated obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in bacterial botany and agriculture. His accomplishments continued having been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Iowa State and Simpson College, and become the first Black faculty member of Iowa College. His study of agriculture continued as the leader of the Agriculture Department at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (later known as Tuskegee University).
A teacher, artist, and food scientist
Dr. Carver spent much of his years dedicated to helping farmers improve the quality of their soil. Many poor southern farmers learned from Dr. Carver, applying his teaching of crop rotation to improve the nutrients in the soil of their cotton and tobacco farms. He is well-known for the Jesup Wagon, to travel throughout the blackbelt and share his expertise in proper crop rotation, harvesting, preparing meals and food preservation. Dr. Carver was also an avid artist and would use colors extracted from plants to beautify homes. He is best known for his work developing 300+ uses for peanuts.
Dr. Carver’s Jesup Wagon
A demonstration lab on wheels
A leader in agriculture innovation
Dr. George Washington Carver inspires GWCFRI because of his innovation and his willingness to teach. Born on a farm around 1864 near Diamond, MO, Carver was well-educated obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in bacterial botany and agriculture. His accomplishments continued having been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Iowa State and Simpson College, and become the first Black faculty member of Iowa College. His study of agriculture continued as the leader of the Agriculture Department at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (later known as Tuskegee University).
A teacher, artist, and food scientist
Dr. Carver spent much of his years dedicated to helping farmers improve the quality of their soil. Many poor southern farmers learned from Dr. Carver, applying his teaching of crop rotation to improve the nutrients in the soil of their cotton and tobacco farms. He is well-known for the Jesup Wagon, to travel throughout the blackbelt and share his expertise in proper crop rotation, harvesting, preparing meals and food preservation. Dr. Carver was also an avid artist and would use colors extracted from plants to beautify homes. He is best known for his work developing 300+ uses for peanuts.
Dr. Carver’s Jesup Wagon
A demonstration lab on wheels
Explore More
Interested in learning more about our programs, partnerships, or volunteering? Contact us.