CANR honors Edwards as 2026 Global Scholar in Extension
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EmailThe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has named Naim Edwards as the 2026 Global Scholar in Extension. Edwards will be honored during the CANR Faculty and Staff Awards reception on May 6.
The Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has named Naim Edwards as the 2026 Global Scholar in Extension. Edwards will be honored during the CANR Faculty and Staff Awards reception on May 6.
The Global Scholars Program supports early‑, mid‑ and established‑career faculty and Extension professionals with seed funding and travel support over a two‑year period. Selected annually by the CANR World Agriculture Center (formerly CANR International Programs), global scholars work to strengthen and expand international linkages, networks and collaborative programs that advance the college’s missions in research, education and outreach.
Edwards serves the Wayne County community as an MSU Extension educator and is director of the Michigan State University Detroit Partnership in Food, Learning and Innovation, also known as the MSU‑Detroit Urban Ag Center. An advocate for food sovereignty and resilient local food systems, he centers his work on community-engaged Extension programming that strengthens urban agriculture. He coordinates research, programming and site development at the Detroit site, which has operated since 2019 and serves as a hub for applied research, education and community collaboration. Ongoing soil management research examines the impacts of tillage practices, cover crops and biochar on soil health, while additional Extension programs address broader community needs. Through his leadership, Edwards integrates research and Extension to support sustainable practices and long‑term community resilience.
The Global Scholars Program began in 2019 and focuses on faculty and staff development initiatives that expand CANR’s global footprint and foster lasting international partnerships.
