Reaching the Highest Heights

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Michael Trusclair, the United States Department of Agriculture 1890 program liaison for Alcorn State University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, was born July 17, 1972 and raised by his grandparents in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Despite their lack of formal education, Trusclair’s grandparents influenced him to succeed.

Graduating from Capitol High School, he went on to accomplish many things. Attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Trusclair chose to major in Agriculture because of the career, training, and enhancement opportunities available within the field. Developing a love and appreciation for agriculture, he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from Southern University in 1996. From there he began a 21 year career with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). During his career with the agency, Trusclair has held several positions in eight locations which include Denham Springs, Louisiana, Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ferriday, Louisiana, Colfax, Louisiana, Thibodaux, Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, Fort Worth, Texas, and Natchez, Mississippi, where he currently resides.

From 2005 to 2012, Trusclair served as District Conservationist in New Orleans, Louisiana. As Conservationist, he oversaw eight counties in South East Louisiana. In that position, he also assisted with recovery for 4 hurricanes and one oil spill. From 2002 to 2013 he owned and managed a cattle operation in Southern Louisiana where he raised registered Angus and Brahma cattle.

Before working at Alcorn, Trusclair taught USDA employees all over the nation as a national instructional specialist for five years. His current position with the agency as liaison requires him to communicate with the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and address Recruitment, Counseling and Retention for students and career opportunities within the USDA.

Trusclair expressed, “Working at Alcorn has benefited me by allowing me to give back some of the education and information I’ve learned over the years and impart it in some of the students.”

Beyond his current occupation, Trusclair wants to continue to ensure that the next generation is aware and takes advantage of the various opportunities available with the USDA.

He is an active member of several organizations which are Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the National Organization for Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPBNRCSE), the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (M.A.N.R.R.S.), and the Star Hill Baptist Church where he has been serving on the Board of Directors since 2001. He also served on the USDA Civil Rights Committee from 2004 to 2012.

Throughout his career, Trusclair has won several awards such as the Louisiana State Conservationist Award in 2006 and 2008, the 2008 USDA NRCS Louisiana Civil Rights and Outreach Award, the Southern University Distinguish Alumni Award in 2003 and in 2010 and 2011 he was awarded the Louisiana Circle of Excellence Award.

His work within his field has greatly impacted the students affiliated with the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.