Michigan State University says it will expand access to agricultural education materials in Africa with a $1 million grant from the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The East Lansing school says AgShare Open Education Resources is an 18-month pilot project.

Michigan State said Tuesday participating African institutions "will create a virtual hub of resources and curriculum" for master's degree programs in livestock, crops and agribusiness.

Faculty from the Michigan school will work with Nairobi, Kenya-based OER Africa and others to develop ways to share teaching techniques and materials.

Assistant Provost Christine Geith, professor John Kaneene and assistant professor Cliff Lampe are leading the project.