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September 9, 2025Icon_LeafUniversity of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Cultivating Digital Resilience
in Agriculture Through Games

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The 1890 Universities Cyber & AI Games is a groundbreaking Capture the Flag (CTF) event designed to introduce university students from the 19 land-grant universities and the host school, the University of the District of Columbia, to the world of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence through agriculture-themed challenges. Using a Jeopardy-style format, students will engage in 25+ challenges that simulate real-world cyber threats facing the agriculture sector.

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What is the AG CTF?

Beginner to Intermediate-Level Cybersecurity Competition

This competition is tailored for general university students in agriculture and related sciences, aiming to enhance their understanding of the risks and protections within the agriculture sector.

This Year’s Theme: Agriterrorism

The focus will be on a scenario that disrupts the U.S. food supply. Agroterrorism is the deliberate introduction of biological, chemical, physical, or cyber-physical threats via malware, ransomware, sensor/actuator tampering, network intrusions, phishing, or social engineering into agricultural or food‑supply systems. The intent is to disrupt production, compromise food safety or integrity, inflict economic harm, generate fear, or undermine confidence in food and agriculture.

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The competition will adopt a Capture the Flag Jeopardy-style format, featuring both computer-based and real-life challenges that showcase essential skills such as:

  • Digital forensics
  • Reconnaissance
  • Geo tagging
  • RFID hacking
  • Cryptography
  • Lock picking
  • Web security

In addition to the 20-team competition, there will be a lock-picking village and an escape room.

Become a Sponsor

Sponsor Benefits

Team Information

team-information

Important Dates:

  • Registration | July 2 to August 8
  • Discord (Online) Community | Opens July 9
  • 1890 Informational Session | July 23
  • Team Webinar - Competition Kick Off | July 30
  • Virtual CTF Practice Session | August 15-16
  • Event: In-Person Only | September 9

Free to play

  • Designed for beginner to intermediate skill levels

MUST be from one of these 20 universities:

  • 1890 Land Grant universities: Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University of Missouri, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and A&M College, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University, West Virginia State University
  • Host university: University of the District of Columbia

Up to 6 university full-time students per university can play in final game

  • 1 university coach
  • Up to 3 volunteers per university can register to help out

University teams should come prepared with:

  • Matching shirts that represent your 1890 university pride
  • A university flag (small to medium sized)
  • Personal Laptop computer (1 for each student)
  • Notepads and pens will be provided

Have fun as a team

  • Learn about AI, cyber and IT
  • Receive digital badge for participation

Event Day - September 9

GAMES | EXHIBITORS | SPEAKERS

Agenda

10:00 AM Kick off and Keynote Speaker
10:30 AM Game Master Rules and Instructions
11:00 AM

Game Starts

Light snacks provided, no breaks for players
1:00 PM Lunch
5:00 PM Game Ends
5:30 PM VIP Speaker and Awards
6:00 PM Reception

 

Games & Activities

  • Lock-picking Village

  • Exhibitor Booths

  • Escape Room

ABOUT THE 1890 FOUNDATION

The 1890 Cyber + AI Games will happen as part of a commemoration planned by the 1890 Universities Foundation for the 135th anniversary of the signing of the 1890 Morrill Act which established the first public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S.

The 1890 Universities Cyber & AI Games is a groundbreaking Capture the Flag (CTF) event designed to introduce university students to the world of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence through agriculture-themed challenges. Using a Jeopardy-style format, students will engage in 25+ challenges that simulate real-world cyber threats facing the agriculture sector.

Learn More
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