MANRRS
MANRRS History & Mission
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. Its annual National Career Fair and Training Conference 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.
Chapter Achievements
- The University of Kentucky MANRRS chapter has had 6 undergraduate officers.
- At the 2018 National MANRRS Conference we had four outgoing officers: The Region III Undergraduate Student Vice President - Jaeana Gates, the National Undergraduate Student Parliamentarian - Fabian Leon, and Immediate Past Undergraduate Student President - Marcus Tyler, and Immediate Past Graduate Student President – Ashley S. Holt.
- We had three incoming officers: The Region III Undergraduate Student Vice President - Carley Fort, The National Undergraduate Student Parliamentarian - Montre’ale Jones, and the Region I Graduate Student Vice President - Drexler Blue. We have Ms. Ashley Holt as the Region III Advisor Lead and Ms. Mia Farrell as the National Jr. MANRRS Committee Chair.
- Seven-Peat National MANRRS Chapter of the Year
- Three-Peat National MANRRS Chapter of the Year
In addition to the overall chapter recognition, UK MANRRS brought home a number of individual honors. They include:
- Kierra Crawford, a junior dietetics major, took second place in the National MANRRS Public Speaking Contest.
- Alexandria Burns, a junior merchandising, apparel and textiles major, took third place in the National MANRRS Written Essay Contest.
- Dr. Quentin Tyler assumed the office of National MANRRS President.
- Kelly Moore, a senior majoring in community and leadership development, was elected National MANRRS undergraduate student president.
- Marcus Bernard, who is working on his doctorate in rural sociology, was named National MANRRS parliamentarian.
- Ashley Holt, a doctoral student in education leadership and a 4-H youth development agent in Jefferson County, was elected to the office of Region III graduate vice president.
- Marcus Tyler Jr., a freshman in agricultural economics, was elected Region III undergraduate vice president.
- Antomia Farrell, 4-H youth development agent from Christian County, acted as the National Jr. MANRRS co-chair, organizing the Jr. MANRRS portion of the conference. Jr. MANRRS is a pre-collegiate outreach program geared toward promoting future career pathways and educational opportunities in the MANRRS fields of study.
- Whitney McKoy, 4-H youth development agent in Franklin County received the National Jr. MANRRS Special Recognition Award for her years of service and leadership.
- Jr. MANRRS students Fabian Leon, Montreale Jones and Diana Croney also came home with honors. Leon, from Woodford County, was awarded the only national John Deere Scholarship for a high school student. Jones and Croney, both from Christian County, took second place and third place respectively in the public speaking contest.
- National MANRRS Chapter of the Year (Second consecutive year – out of 75 chapters across 38 states)
- Region III Chapter of the Year
- Marcus Tyler Jr. -- Jr. MANRRS National John Deere Scholarship recipient; MANRRS Undergraduate Essay 2nd Place
- Stephanie Cabrea -- Jefferson County 4-H Jr. MANRRS, third place public speaking. Her 4-H agents are Chanda Hall and Ashley Holt.
- Anna Stacia Haley -- Christian County 4H Jr. MANRRS, first place impromptu speaking and first place public speaking. Her 4-H agent is Antomia Farrell.
- Susanna Croney -- Christian County 4-H Jr. MANRRS, second place public speaking. Farrell is her 4-H agent as well.
- Spencer Tribble – agricultural economics graduate student, one of three students in the country awarded a John Deere MANRRS Internship.
Advisor recognition
- Quentin Tyler – National Manrrs President-Elect
Several students were nominated and elected to the following national officer positions for 2014-2015:
- Spencer Tribble -- Graduate Region 5 vice president.
- Kelly Moore -- Undergraduate Region 2 vice president, Community and Leadership Development junior.
- Jessi Ghezi -- Graduate Region 6 vice president, doctoral candidate in Plant and Soil Sciences.
- Marquel Lett -- Undergraduate president, Environmental Sciences junior
- National Chapter of the Year
28th National MANRRS Conference, Sacramento, California - National Advisor of the Year
28th National MANRRS Conference, Sacramento, California
2013-2014 Region III Chapter of the Year
2012-2013 Region III Chapter of the Year
2011-2012 Region III Chapter of the Year
28th National MANRRS Conference, Sacramento, California 2013:
First Place Impromptu Speaking- Erica Flores
Third Place Graduate Oral Research - Erica Flores
Jr. MANRRS First Place Impromptu Speaking - Mackenzie Jones
Jr. MANRRS First Place Written Essay - Mackenzie Jones
Jr. MANRRS Third Place Public Speaking - Mackenzie Jones
Second Place Graduate Poster Research - Jessi Ghezzi
2010-Present National Committee Chair Jr. MANRRS - Whitney McKoy
2013-2014 Region III Undergraduate Vice President - Marquel Lett
2013-2014 Region VI Graduate Vice President - Jessi Ghezzi
2012-2013 Region III Undergraduate Vice President - Maurisha Ross
2011-2012 National MANRRS Graduate Parliamentarian - Whitney McKoy
2009-2010 National Undergraduate Parliamentarian - Whitney McKoy
28th National MANRRS Conference Sacramento, California Chapter of Excellence
27th National MANRRS Conference Atlanta, Georgia Chapter of Excellence
26th National MANRRS Conference Overland Park, Kansas Chapter of Excellence
25th National MANRRS Conference Orlando, Florida Chapter of Excellence
24th National MANRRS Conference Indianapolis, Indiana Chapter of Excellence
23rd National MANRRS Conference Denver, Colorado Chapter of Excellence
22nd National MANRRS Conference Birmingham, Alabama Chapter of Excellence
21st National MANRRS Conference St. Louis Missouri Chapter of Excellence
2000 MANRRS New Chapter of the Year
2003 Outstanding African American Student Organization University of Kentucky
2011-2012 Black Student Union Most Out-Standing Non-Greek Organization
2012-2013 Evelyn J. Black Award for Creating an Effective Climate for Diverse Students
Chapter Newsletters
Jr. MANRRS Program
Jr. MANRRS is a pre-collegiate outreach program of the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) for high school-aged and younger students. The program is geared towards promoting future career pathways and educational opportunities in the fields of agriculture, natural resources, and environmental science. Learn more about Jr. MANRRS here.
Chapter Contact Information
Maya Horvath, Chapter President
Tiffany Monroe, Affiliate Network President
Dr. Mia Farrell, Chapter Co-Advisor
Kendriana Price, Chapter Co-Advisor
& Jr. MANRRS Contact
UK MANRRS Chapter
The UK MANRRS chapter helps promote the advancement of members of ethnic/cultural groups that are underrepresented in agricultural and related sciences. Members have the opportunity to participate in diverse activities that support their and others' academic and professional development and achievement.
Membership is open to anyone that has a desire to promote diversity and inclusion in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Membership categories include student, professional, associate, and business.
- Student - A student member is an undergraduate or graduate enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited educational institution. Yearly dues: $10
- Professional/Associate/Business - A professional member is any person who is employed and is not enrolled as a full-time student at any higher education institution.
To become a member, you may either:
- Attend our general body meetings and pay your membership fees to our local chapter, or
- Register using the National MANRRS Registration Form.
If you need more information about joining the University of Kentucky Chapter of MANRRS, please contact us!
Alumni Affiliate Network
Tiffany Monroe Sylvester Miller Jericho Curry
President Vice President Secretary
The UK MANRRS Alumni Affiliate Network stands to engage professionals in fellowship, development, and opportunities within the MANRRS organization in the greater Lexington community and beyond.
Check back for 2021-22 network meeting schedules and events!
Professional Development Opportunities
Regional Cluster
The goal of the cluster meetings is to encourage diversity and pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills that will prepare our members for a thriving future in the agricultural, natural resources, and related sciences. At Cluster, we seek to provide strategies and techniques that will prove effective for member professional development and advancement in today’s work environment.
Annual Career Fair and Training Conference
Through the Annual Career Fair and Training Conference, the National Society of MANRRS offers many benefits and services to help members increase their knowledge and develop skills in partnerships for student success. Our sessions acquaint new members with MANRRS and prepare them for future roles in their chapters, and help experienced members improve and refine their knowledge and skills for their ideal job or internship in the field of agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences industry.
National Officers from UK MANRRS & Affiliates
Dr. Mia Farrell, National MANRRS Past President
Dr. Quentin Tyler, Advisory Board Chair
Montre'ale Jones, National Parliamentarian