Robert E. Holland

Holland began his new role at the N.C. A&T College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences on Nov. 1 after eight years with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA funds and supports research, education and extension programs related to agriculture, food and nutrition, environmental sciences and social and human sciences that address the nation’s agricultural priorities

Holland’s final role with the agency was as an associate director from 2014 until he retired in 2019. As NIFA’s associate director, Holland administered an annual budget of $1.6 billion and coordinated the agency’s work with numerous public, private and nongovernmental institutions, including the 1862, 1890 and 1994 land-grant universities.

Before joining the USDA, Holland worked in higher education as a faculty member, researcher and administrator.

He was on the faculty of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.; the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, where he did his clinical residency and held a post-doctoral fellowship before joining the faculty full time; and at Iowa State University.

From 2005 to 2011 he was professor and chair of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He also directed the veterinary college’s Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

His research interests include pharmaceuticals, infectious diseases and the effects of agricultural runoff on ground and surface water quality.

A Virginia native, Holland earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University, his master’s degree in large animal clinical sciences from Michigan State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in Alabama.

"Dr. Holland brings to the Department of Animal Sciences a wealth of knowledge and experience from his previous role as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture administrator and as an accomplished researcher, faculty member and department leader at multiple universities,” CAES Dean Mohamed Ahmedna said. “His affiliations with and deep understanding of the land-grant system and governmental organizations are assets that will benefit the department, college and university."

Holland knew much about A&T through his work at USDA. He and the CAES dean crossed paths in Washington, D.C., when Ahmedna held a fellowship at USDA before coming to A&T. Holland’s sister also works at A&T: Renee Robinson is a long-time research associate in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

But when A&T approached him about coming out of retirement, Holland didn’t say yes right away.

“Dr. Ahmedna asked me about three or four times,” Holland said with a laugh during a recent interview.

More seriously, he added, “There were three or four things that came together, and I said, ‘Sure, I can help out for a while.”

Holland is commuting daily to Greensboro from his 300-acre farm in Franklin County, Va., which sits midway between Roanoke and Martinsville. He raises cattle and currently has about 40 head of Angus, Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh-influenced Balancers.

A portion of Holland’s farm has been in his family for four generations. Next year, it will qualify for Century Farm status.