inagnews COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
INSTITUTE OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE
SUMMER 2011
STUDENTS DIG INTO NEW CAMPUS TEACHING GARDEN By Deborah Lakowicz-Dramby
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he Institute of Applied Agriculture’s “hands-on” teaching mission encourages students to get their hands dirty, and what better way to accomplish that than digging into a garden. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the University Sustainability Fund, the campus is growing a teaching garden. The north-facing hillside between the School of Public Health and the Eppley Recreation Center, previously considered a hot spot for weed identification, is steadily transforming into the Public Health Garden, a community and teaching garden demonstrating sustainable agriculture and environmental best practices in support of public, environmental and community health.
Led by Allison Lilly, a graduate student in public health, the project officially kicked off at Maryland Day this spring. The IAA’s first Sustainable Agriculture Certificate student and Garden Manager, Deborah Dramby, along with Lilly, has worked tirelessly to drum up support and get the crops rolling this growing season. The garden offers a unique opportunity to unite many collaborators in support of sustainable agriculture and already has commitment and involvement from the Institute of Applied Agriculture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Sustainability Office, Facilities Management, School of See GARDEN, page 3 Institute of Applied Agriculture 2123 Jull Hall, University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742-2525 http://iaa.umd.edu
CONTENT S
From the D irector ... p 2 Shields Mem orial ... p 4 2011 IAA G raduates ... p 6 Alumni Pro duce Stands. .. p 8 Alumni New s & Notes .. .p9 Arbor Day ... p 10 Around the ‘Tute ... p 1 1
‘4G’ Network Leads to Learning Community From the Director... Graduation, gardens, goats, and golf ! Goodness! The IAA has its own ‘4G’ network! Throw in a couple thousand oak trees, a dozen ag teachers, two national competitions and the PGMS, and our network was buzzing this spring. I hope you enjoy reading all about it in this issue of INAG News. First, congratulations to our 13 new graduates who were honored on May 20. Half of the group graduated in December and had already started their careers, so I was happy to welcome them back to campus for the alumni dinner and again for graduation. See the full story on page 6. Did you read the article about our new teaching garden on campus? Hooray! The garden provides more experiential learning and hands-on lab opportunities for our students. IAA Sustainable Ag Major, Deborah Dramby has been instrumental in promoting and managing the new garden, and Ken Ingram has been mentoring the students and monitoring process. This spring, he and his students grew oak saplings and vegetable plants for Arbor Day, Maryland Day and the campus garden. The Public Health Garden kicked off with 31 grazing goats–no kidding–well, actually two kids accompanied the dams. In addition to providing our “golf guys” with a chance to good-naturedly tease the “garden girls,” the goats promoted lively discussions of sustainable practices and clearing unwanted vegetation from sites. And, I loved it. Why? To me, such discussions indicate the transformation IAA is making into a learning community, where students engage in shared learning and discovery,
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where they analyze, examine and debate; and become more connected to other students. More than just networking, our students are collectively interacting in academic inquiry outside the classroom walls. They are mentoring each other and setting up study groups. Learning communities not only foster greater student engagement, both academically and socially, but they also promote critical thinking and acceptance of multiple perspectives. The campus garden is one way we are developing the IAA learning community. The PGMS student chapter is another, bringing professionals into the community to enrich student learning. And of course, participating in such national competitions as Turf Bowl and PLANET increases the depth of student learning and application, and encourages teamwork. The IAA community is “learning strong.”
Ken Ingram, Roy Walls, Deb Dramby, Glori Hyman.
And, once you’ve joined the IAA community, you always belong. We encourage alumni to share your experiences and insights with us. You can easily share your thoughts by emailing me directly or by writing on our Facebook page. The word community derives from the Latin communitas, meaning "with or together" and “gift.” So let’s all continue to come together and share the gift of learning. d
Summer 2011
INAG News
Community Supports Teaching Garden
GARDEN, from page 1
Public Health and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Public Health Garden has also received generous support from alumni, notably Alan Richardson of Potomac Valley Brick, and the College Park community.
outreach meetings. Cucumbers, marigolds, tomatoes and green beans found homes in old pickle and ice cream buckets until they could be put in the ground. Today, quite a few tomato and pepper plants that started in the first guerilla-gardened beds are growing strong.
“It has really been amazing to see the community come together in support of this project. From seeds, to tools, to time spent volunteering, everyone we’ve reached out to has been eager to get involved and help out,” says Lilly.
The winning design for the site, a product of a healthy competition between students in both graduate and undergraduate Landscape Architecture classes, is being implemented this summer and into the fall semester. Grading for permeable pavers and raised beds in the teaching space of the site is set to begin any day now. Depending on future grants and community involvement, the next phase of the design–which includes minimal grading for community beds down the slope of the hill, a butterfly garden and a neighboring orchard– could begin in 2012. Construction on the west-side rain garden, a project and grant awarded to Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Allen Davis, should begin this fall.
Ornamental hor:culture major Yasmine Baker tends to garden plants growing in the greenhouse.
Master Gardener and IAA Instructor Ken Ingram and his greenhouse management students undertook the task of early planting in the university greenhouse. Since hundreds of seed packets were donated to the garden project from local nurseries, the America the Beautiful Fund, and national companies, Ingram and his students were able to spend weekly lab periods experimenting with seeds, learning which seeds grow best, and nurturing hundreds of seedlings for the new garden.
Goats, a herd of weed-eaters who have been traveling around forests and properties in Maryland and eating away kudzu, Canada thistle, multi flora rose, English ivy, and other invasives that stand in the way of native or agricultural plants. After the goats gobbled up the worst of the weeds, student club members and volunteers have been meeting on site twice a week to pull up decade-old root systems, prepare the soil, plant and water beds.
The thick cover of invasive and Support from the IAA has been a unwanted vegetation on the site, once critical piece of the project. “Ken was considered the the first one to most get out on site challenging and begin to hurdle facing finish the job the the Public goats started. Health Garden He was really an team this inspiration to all season, turned of our volunteers out to be a who have been most successful working tirelessly adventure in in the heat to publicity. Since ensure we have a Goats clear the site for new teaching garden. the garden aims successful first to meet the season. So far, highest expectations of sustainability, we’ve harvested nearly 20 pounds of herbicide was not an option. The club’s food–just from our containers,” says creative solution was to call in the EcoLilly. d
Despite delays in site construction, Ingram, Lilly and Dramby found homes for the greenhouse-grown plants. Many tomato, basil and pepper plants were disseminated to Maryland Day attendees and gifted at community
INAG News
Sustainable Ag major Deborah Dramby helps a young gardener repot plants.
Summer 2011
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2011 Shields Memorial Udderly Fantastic !
Mooooooove over Elvis and make way for the cow. This year’s Shields Memorial Tournament made a return visit to Twin Shields Golf Club on Friday, May 13, 2011. Over 145 golfers and 25 sponsors participated in this successful fund raising event for the IAA Turf program, bringing in $14,000 to support scholarships, student travel, and other program enhancement initiatives. Karen Shields adds a new twist to the tournament each time Twin Shields hosts the event. Some of you may remember the statue of Elvis that graced the first hole in 2007 and the numerous Elvis photo ops taken by Elvis golfing groupies. Well, this year, IAA student volunteers Justin Bishop, Buddy Hipp, and Scott Hosier along with IAA faculty Kevin Mathias and Ken Ingram were tasked with inflating a 10-foot Chick-fil-A cow in the middle of #1 fairway about 200 yards from the tee. The first two golfers to hit the cow on their drive won a year’s worth of free Chick-fil-A sandwiches.
Student volunteer and recent 2011 graduate Justin Bishop stands next to the inflatable Chick-‐fil-‐A cow.
The puns were flying faster than the golf balls, from “Holy Cow!” to “That was an udderly ridiculous shot.” “Mooooing” sounds could be heard throughout the day as golfers
addressed the ball on the “Cow Hole.” Needless to say golfers and innocent bystanders enjoyed this hole! d
IAA Acting Director Glori D. Hyman inag news is published two times a year by the Institute of Applied Agriculture. The IAA welcomes all comments, alumni updates, and agriculture-related news. Submit information to IAA Editor, 2123 Jull Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2525 Phone: 301-405-4685 FAX: 301-314-9343 E-mail: gdhyman@umd.edu Several Mid-‐Atlantic golf course superintendents react to Jon Lobenstine’s shot at the Chick-‐fil-‐A cow.
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Summer 2011
INAG News
Terps Still Top Two-Year Students at Turf Bowl addition to the Turf Bowl competition, the students benefitted from educational talks and social networking events.
Last year’s Snowmageddon prevented the 2010 IAA Turf Bowl teams from competing in sunny San Diego. Thus, we fielded two teams of rookie competitors for the 2011 Turf Bowl competition in Orlando, FL, February 8-11, and placed 11th and 13th in a very competitive cluster of 87 teams.
Golf Course Management major, Buddy Hipp said, “attending the trade show was a great way to get information about new products and technology in the industry.” He plans to take this information back to the facility where he is currently working.
The IAA team of freshmen, Travis Biggs, Erik Nilsson, Josh Weaver, and Cory Wesselman, placed 11th with a team score of 363.5 and only a half point out of a top 10 finish. The IAA second team, Matthew Zipper, Justin Bishop, Buddy Hipp, and Scott Hosier scored a total 359.5 points for 13th place.
Josh Weaver claimed, “This is the coolest thing since sliced bread!” Coach Mathias believes it was a great opportunity for the students to participate in a national conference and trade show. He extends special thanks to the Maryland Turfgrass Council Endowment Fund and the Shields Memorial Tournament Fund for covering travel costs for our students. d
“Coming in with two teams that had not participated in this very competitive event before was a challenge and it did provide some disappointments,” commented Coach Kevin Mathias.
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While Mathias had hoped for a top ten finish, he points out that the IAA teams were the top placing teams of two-year students and that four members of the team will be returning next year for the 2012 Turf Bowl in Las Vegas. The students were extremely impressed with the Golf Industry Show hosted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and other organizations. In !
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Glori Hyman, the IAA’s Acting Director, hosted a VIP visit for 10 Maryland High School students who expressed interest in becoming agriculture educators. The event was part of Teach Ag Day, a national campaign to promote and share career opportunities in agricultural education. Current university students talked about majors and campus life. The group visited a dorm room and toured the campus farm, the new teaching garden site, the recreational center, and the student union.
High school students meet Testudo during Teach !Ag Day.
But, no tour of the University of Maryland would be complete without a visit to Testudo, the school’s mascot. According to campus lore, rubbing Testudo’s nose brings good luck and academic success. So, the Teach Ag Day VIPs took advantage of the campus tradition. George Mayo, Executive Director of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) thanked the students and talked about the state’s commitment to ag education and the career opportunities. Finally, the group took advantage of the beautiful weather, and relaxed around the landmark “M” near the campus entrance. Then, they walked to the campus dairy for a dip (or two) of Maryland ice cream.
IAA Turf Bowl Compe:tors (L to R): Travis Biggs, Josh Weaver, MaVhew Zipper, Cory Wesselman, Buddy Hipp, ScoV Hosier, Jus:n Bishop and Erik Nilsson.
INAG News
Teach Ag Day
Summer 2011
“It was a fun and informative day —an opportunity for high school students to get a real feel for our college and campus,” Hyman concluded. d
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Meet the graduat T
hanks to the efforts of Carole Dingess, the 2011 graduating class and their families were treated to a delightful lunch buffet and reception at the University of Maryland Golf Course Club House. Acting Director Glori Hyman opened the event and introduced Dr. Cheng-I Wei, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who expressed his appreciation of the IAA and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work. Adam Newhart, Landscape Management 2002, addressed this year’s graduates. Now the Project Manager for the City of Gaithersburg and Vice President of the Washington DC chapter of the Professional Grounds Management Society
(PGMS), Adam spoke about his time at the IAA, his career, and the importance of professional networking; including the need to belong to a professional association. Adam’s first exposure to a professional association came in 2002 while, as an IAA student, he took a class field trip to a PGMS meeting held at Hillwood Museum and Gardens. That meeting showed him the importance of professional networking too. He concluded by telling the graduates that their IAA education is just the beginning of their professional development. The strength of the IAA program lies in its faculty, and Hyman thanked the IAA faculty and staff. In recognition of his accomplishments this year, Ken Ingram was awarded
the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture’s Merit Certificate for Teaching. Then, Ingram and Kevin Mathias recognized the graduates and presented a number of humorous “awards.” Meet this year’s graduates: Justin Bishop Golf Course Management Hometown: Sheridan, WY Right Now: Assistant Superintendent at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm Awards & Activities: Shields Memorial Scholarship, Golf Course Builders Association Scholarship, TESCO Scholarship, Turf Bowl competitor 09, 10, 11, Challenge Cup Future: Focus on family and career.
Back Row: Glori Hyman, MaV Zipper, Adam Schilpp, Corey Walker. Middle Row: Buddy Hipp, Chris Mawn, Sean Sorandes, Kevin Boyle. Front Row: Alex Huntley, MaV Yingling, Stephen VanLowe, Jus:n Bishop.
ING class of 2011 ! Kevin Boyle Golf Course Management Hometown: Silver Spring, MD Right Now: Woodmont Country Club Rockville, MD Awards & activities: Dean’s list, Turf Bowl, PGMS Treasurer Future: Finish Bachelor’s degree Sally Brandon General Ornamental Horticulture Hometown: Laurel, MD Right Now: Skillin’s Greenhouses in Falmouth, ME Future: Build career at Skillin’s Christopher (Buddy) Hipp Golf Course Management Hometown: Ellicott City, MD Right Now: Assistant in Training, Landfall Country Club, Wilmington, NC Awards & Activities: Dean’s list, Shields Memorial Scholarship, CHS Foundation Scholarship, Golf Course Builders Association Scholarship, PGMS President 2011, Turf Bowl, Turkey Bowl, PLANET Student Competition 2011 Future: Continue to advance career in Wilmington, NC Alexander Huntley General Ornamental Horticulture Hometown: Damascus, MD Right Now: Continuing education Awards: Montgomery County Farm Bureau Scholarship Future: Pursue career in commercial horticulture
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Christopher Mawn Landscape Management Hometown: Pasadena, MD Right Now: Enhancement Field Manager, Ruppert Landscape, Baltimore, MD Awards & Activities: Student chapter PGMS Future: Continue career with Ruppert Adam Schilpp Golf Course Management Hometown: Manassas, VA Right Now: Assistant Superintendent at Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria, VA Awards & Activities: Shields Memorial Scholarship, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Scholarship, Dean’s list, Challenge Cup, PGMS, Trans Mississippi Scholarship Future: Continue in golf industry Sean Sorandes Golf Course Management Hometown: Baltimore, MD Right Now: Assistant Superintendent at Hayfields Country Club, Baltimore, MD Future: Stay on as second assistant superintendent for a while Christopher Thayer Golf Course Management Hometown: Annapolis, MD Right Now: Assistant Superintendent, Naval Academy Country Club, Annapolis, MD Awards & Activities: Shields Memorial Scholarship, Dean’s list, Turf Bowl Future: Continue in the golf course industry, work toward becoming a golf course superintendent.
Summer 2011
Jacob Valentino Golf Course Management Hometown: Reston, VA Right Now: Assistant Superintendent. Lincoln Hills Country Club, Lincoln Hills, CA Awards & Activities: Shields Memorial Scholarship, Dean’s list Future: Stay in the golf course industry Corey Walker Golf Course Management Hometown: Finksburg, MD Right Now: Assistant Superintendant at Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, MD Awards & Activities: Student Chapter PGMS President 2010, Turf Bowl Future: Stay in the golf industry Mathew Yingling Turfgrass Management Hometown: Fallston, MD Right Now: Grounds crew at Elkridge Country Club, Baltimore, MD Future: Continue employment in turfgrass industry Matthew Zipper Golf Course Management Hometown: Crofton, MD Right Now: Assistant in training at Lakewood Country Club Rockville, MD Awards & Activities: Outstanding Student 2011, Ronald J. Seibel Scholarship, Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendent Scholarship, Shields Memorial Scholarship; PGMS, Challenge Cup, Turf Bowl, Turkey Bowl Future: Stay in golf course industry.
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Fresh Produce?
IAA Alumni Make It A Shore Thing! By Deborah Lakowicz-Dramby ‘Tis the season for the Eastern Shore and all the fun in the sun that comes with it. If you’re anything like the folks here at the IAA, part of your vacation includes a visit to one of the produce stands on or near Route 50. While each seasonal stand offers a delicious spread, worthy of your patronage, four offer the added incentive of Institute alumni running the operation! Beginning your journey from the College Park side of the Chesapeake Bay, the first IAA alumni-owned stand you will encounter after crossing the bridge is Councell Farms. Located five miles north of Easton on Route 50, Councell Farms is owned and operated by Phil “Chip” Councell and his son Jason. Phil graduated from the IAA in 1979 with his certificate in Farm Production and Management. A farmer at heart, Phil still loves being out in the field, so his son manages day-to-day operations in the store.
IAA alumni and fourth generation grain farmer Paul Jackson opened the produce market as an endeavor to teach his daughter Emily, now 12, to appreciate the work that goes into growing and raising crops while saving money for her future college tuition.
Even if you have consumed a lot of fresh berries and pie at this point in your drive, you can pop into Wright’s Market before hitting Salisbury traffic, and peruse their selection of garden goodies and full line of Amish-made outdoor furniture. More than 60 years and four generations of Wrights own and operate the evergrowing farm and market. The family farm offers tours, educational opportunities and maintains a strong commitment to ag-land preservation. Charles Wright IV graduated from the
If you missed the exit and still want to support the family’s educational initiatives, don’t worry! Just look for the “Big Red Tent” and their new, second location on Sunburst Highway near Roselyn Ave in Cambridge. Here’s what you can expect to see on shelves at Emily’s Produce: sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupes, peaches, strawberries
see Shore Stands next page
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Here’s what you can expect to see on shelves at Councell Farms: sweet corn, cucumbers, cantaloupes, onions, watermelon, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, strawberries, zucchini, blueberries, peaches, plums, peppers, homemade jellies, local honey, Chapel's cheese. As you head south on Route 50, think about taking a short drive down Route 16 West toward Church Creek and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Keep an eye out for the “Big Red Tomato” approximately two miles past the Cambridge South Dorchester High School.
(optional “u-pick”), peppers, cucumbers, jams, jellies, relishes, pies, fruit breads, hanging baskets, planters, annuals and perennials.
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A-Councell Farms, 11773 Old Skipton Road, Cordova 410.822.8213 councellfarms.com B-Emily’s Produce, 2206 Church Creek Rd., Cambridge 443.521.0789 emilysproduce.com
Here you will find the family-ownedand-operated Emily’s Produce. A 1991
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C-Wrights Market, 9300 Old Railroad Rd., Mardela Springs 410.742.8845 wrightsmarket.com D-Oakley’s Farm Market, 27466 Ocean Gateway, Hebron 410.860.8553 oakleysfarmmarket.com
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2011
Shore Stands from previous page
IAA Alumni News & Notes
IAA in 1986 with a Farm Production and Management certificate. Here’s what you can expect to see on shelves at Wright’s Market: asparagus, sweet corn, string beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, squash, strawberries, blueberries, apples, grapes, blackberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, bananas, peaches, hanging baskets, house plants, annuals, perennials, local honey, homemade ice cream, baked goods, jellies & jams, and sugar-free snacks. Last and most certainly not least, is the Oakley Families’ Farmers Market. Henry Oakley is another member of the IAA class of 1991 who majored in Farm Production and Management. Located on Route 50, just past mile marker 107, Oakley’s Market offers a huge variety of plants, produce, and fun. Oakley's grows and sell a full line of fresh local produce. In the spring, the farm offers U-Pick strawberries (Chandler and Sweet Charlies) with local asparagus to complement. During the summer months they carry a full line of perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, and u-pick herbs alongside a large selection of fresh vegetables and fruits. Fall at Oakley’s brings a huge selection of pumpkins, gourds, field-grown mums, educational tours, corn maze, and fun family activities. Here’s what you can expect to see on shelves at Oakley’s Farm Market: sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, herbs and hanging baskets If you prefer to travel to the shore in the fall, when the summer crowds are clearing out, rest assured that all four of these markets will be open and beginning their fun fall festivals. d
INAG News
Carin Celebuski, HORT ’10, is Coordinator of Volunteers for the University of Maryland, College Park, Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Brent Wheeler, TURF ’10, is a technician with Alcatel Lucent. In his spare time, he coaches a 15-18 year old baseball team called the Blue Sox. Samantha Schorr Fisher, LAND ’09, is very happy in her current position at McHale Landscape Design. She is finishing her degree at Delaware technical community college. Nick Donner, TURF ’07, is Assistant Superintendent for grounds at Landon School in Bethesda, Md. Gregory Tracey, LAND ’87, is Operations Manager with MJM Landscaping, Inc., in Cockeysville, MD Congratulations to Chris Fauble, GOLF ’06, and Jeanette on the birth of their son. Graeme Wolfe Fauble was born on March 6 at 8:39 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. Chris is the Golf Course Superintendent at Locust Hill Golf Club.
Congratulations to Mark Dupcak, LAND ‘00, and his wife Courtney. They are the proud parents of a baby girl, Katelyn Louise Dupcak, born May 24. She weighed 6 pounds, 8 oz. Mark works with Turf Equipment and Supply Co., Inc. in Jessup, MD. Pharr Adams, UrbFor ’97, will spend a year in New Orleans, LA, running an after school garden/ nutrition based program similar to the one she currently works with in Montgomery County, MD. Congratulations to Nick Mooneyhan, LAND ‘03, and wife Angela on the birth of their daughter Baylee Nicole Mooneyhan, born on May 24. She weighs 7 lbs 13 oz. Nick works at Hobbits Glen Golf Course in Columbia, MD. In March, Mike Salvio, GOLF ’79, is Golf Course Superintendent and Director of Grounds at the Ocean City Golf Club, a 36-hole golf facility in Ocean City, MD.
AT A GLANCE IAA’s Outstanding Student Matthew Zipper, a December Turfgrass Management graduate of the Institute of Applied Agriculture, was honored as the IAA’s Outstanding Student on April 20, 2011 at the AGNR Alumni Dinner. Matt completed his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Maryland in May 2009 and continued his education at the IAA soon after. ! His name landed on the Dean’s list every semester he attended the IAA and he was awarded scholarships from both the Shields Memorial Endowment and the Dr. Ronald J. Seibel Scholarship. During his semesters at the IAA, Matt completed his internship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, VA. He also participated in countless extracurricular events including the Mid-Atlantic Challenge Cup, volunteer hours at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship at Avenel and the 2011 Turf Bowl competition in Orlando, Florida. Matt, now an Assistant Superintendent at Lakewood C.C. in Rockville, MD, is an exemplary student who took advantage of the many opportunities at the IAA. The AGNR Alumni Association acknowledged other recent IAA graduates: Corey Walker, Adam Schilpp, Christopher (Buddy) Hipp, Matt Yingling, and Justin Bishop. d
Summer 2011
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Norbeck Golf Party The IAA’s busy spring culminated with the 2nd annual end-of-year celebration at Norbeck Country Club. Thank you to IAA Alumni Jay Nalls for hosting the event again this year. IAA students and faculty celebrated the semester’s end with a round of golf and a cook out. Irrigation PLANET Congratulations to Buddy Hipp on his high rank in the Irrigation Design event in the 2011 PLANET Career Days held at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. Buddy, a graduating Golf Course Management major, placed 5th in the Irrigation Design event. And, “just for fun” he also participated in the Turf and Pest Identification and Small Engine Repair categories. The University of
Student Files
retains the position of Secretary, and Justin Jones, an Ornamental Horticulture major, assumed the duties of Treasurer. The student chapter is looking forward to hosting the October DC Branch meeting and plans to start fundraising efforts to send students to the Green Industry and Equipment Expo in Kentucky in October.
Maryland ranked 14th in the overall competition.
Hannah Temple Wins Congratulations to Hannah Temple, an Agricultural Business Management major who received of a $1,000 Scholarship from the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. Hannah demonstrated leadership skills, high achievement, and dedication to education and community service that the farm bureau looks for. Hannah was recognized at the organization’s annual picnic in June.
New PGMS Officers This summer, the PGMS student chapter welcomes several new officers. John Mowbray, a Landscape major, has taken over as the President of the club. Michael Walsh, also a Landscape Management major, is the new Vice President. Scott Hosier, a Golf Course Management major
Arbor Day Celebration The IAA’s Ken Ingram played a significant role in the University of Maryland’s Arbor Day celebration. A Certified Arborist, Ingram set up an information booth and gifted more than a hundred White Oak saplings, made possible by a Pepsi Enhancement Fund grant, to passersby and attendees at the ceremonial Willow Oak planting on the mall. Ingram and his students propagated the White Oak, Maryland’s State Tree, from acorns gathered beneath the Ken Ingram historic Chapel Oak. Throughout the semester, IAA students enrolled in Greenhouse Management (INAG 224) tended the saplings in the research greenhouse on campus. IAA students, alumni, and staff supported the initiative by handing out saplings, Vermont Country Store Maple Syrup candies, and informational brochures. Many conversations centered around the poster-sized price tags on two nearby mature Willow Oaks, denoting the tree’s annual environmental and economic savings based on inputs of location, species and tree size. Ingram used the National Tree Benefit Calculator to determine the energy savings, added property value, electricity savings, storm water savings, and CO2 reduction of the Willow Oaks nearest to the ceremonial planting site. “Ken invited several experts to speak to our Arboriculture class about the benefits and value of trees,” 10
Summer 2011
commented IAA student Deborah Dramby. “Trees have remarkable, calculable benefits beyond carbon sequestration. Although not everyone studies trees and their storm water savings, everyone likes savings. The price tags really caught people’s attention.” As a crowd gathered for the celebratory planting, Assistant Director of Arboretum and Horticultural Services at the University, Karen Petroff, addressed the importance of Arbor Day and the University’s commitment to living classrooms. “Maryland Arbor Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of April because that is the best time to plant trees in our region,” Petroff explained. Before picking up a golden shovel, University President Wallace Loh reminded onlookers that the Willow Oak they were about to help plant may count toward Governor O’Malley’s One Million Tree Initiative. The newly planted Willow Oak, approximately 15’ in height, 4” trunk caliper, will eventually catch up to its 90’ neighboring trees and rebalance the symmetry on the mall. d INAG News
Around the ’ tute Melwood Open
US Open Championship
On June 2-5 the Melwood Prince George’s County Open returned to the University of Maryland golf course. Superintendent George Long and current IAA student Allen Turner had the course in great shape despite the season’s first heat wave. Several IAA alumni volunteered during the week. d
Ken Congressional Ingram, Country Club Lucas Black, in Bethesda, Justin MD, hosted the Bishop, and US Open. Ryland Again, IAA Chapman alumni and all worked faculty were the 4-8 a.m. among the 120 and 4-8 volunteers from p.m. shifts. around the Several world. Two IAA other IAA alumni, Tom IAA alumni and faculty at the US Open. L to R: Jus:n Bishop, Ken Turi and Ricardo Ingram, Chappy Chapman, Kevin Mathias, Mike Owens, Tom Turi, alumni with Turf Quijada are on Ricardo Quijada, Lucas Black. Equipment the staff at and Supply Co. were involved: Doug Congressional. Ballew, Doug Fleming, Bill Neus, Brian Two recent IAA/Congressional Pardoe, and Andy Donelson. d interns Mike Owens and Adam Schilpp returned to volunteer. Kevin Mathias,
Kevin Mathias at the Melwood Prince George’s County Open
New Pastures For Equine Advisor Erin Pittman After nearly 10 years with the IAA, Equine Advisor Erin Pittman decided to leave the University of Maryland to spend more time with her twin boys, help on the farm and pursue new equine interests. She and her husband, Steuart, started a non-profit venture, The Retired Racehorse Training Project www.retiredracehorsetraining.org, and she will be devoting much of her time to promoting the new project. Erin moved from Westminster, CO, to join the IAA faculty in August 2001, and immediately jumped into the task of developing the then-new Equine Business Management program.
INAG News
Erin brought with her a strong nutrition background, but she was also skilled in equine physiology and interpersonal communication. She immersed herself in the Maryland horse industry and proved to be a strong asset to the IAA program. For many years, she headed the educational seminars at the Horse World Expo and served on the Maryland Horse Industry Board. Erin says, “This is an exciting, but also slightly scary move. I will very much miss teaching and working with my students.” Chances are high, however, that her former students will run into Erin frequently at various events, as she plans to remain active in Maryland horse circles. d Summer 2011
Welcome Ray Gless The IAA welcomes Ray Gless to its faculty. Ray, a veteran teacher, comes to the IAA from Mesa, AZ where he taught agriscience classes at Red Mountain High School and Mesa Community College. His extensive and diverse background in agriculture education, his professionalism, and his enthusiasm well qualify him to take over the IAA’s Agricultural Business Management program. He looks forward to meeting the IAA alumni and working with Maryland’s ag industries.d
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inag news
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inag news
Faculty News
Ken Ingram, Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture Advisor and Lecturer, received the NACTA Teaching Award of Merit Certificate for 2011. Ken joined the IAA faculty in 2008 and has taught a variety of courses. He initiated the student chapter of the PGMS and works diligently with the new teaching garden. “He’s constantly looking for new projects, finding jobs for students, networking with alumni, and coming up with creative ideas,” says IAA Acting Director Glori Hyman. “Anyone who knows Ken, knows it’s hard to keep him still, and our students benefit from that energy. He is well deserving of this recognition.”
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Roy Walls attended the National AgriScience Integration Institute (NAII) in June in Des Moines, Iowa. The goal of the NAII is to promote and enhance opportunities for integrating inquirybased science instruction in environmental and agricultural education programs--opportunities that will add excitement and the joy of discovery to the learning process in order to help improve student performance in standardized science tests. Fewer than 12 state teams are chosen to attend the Institute each summer. Participants shared best-practices, strategies and techniques in further integrating agriscience into a student’s education. The IAA congratulates Roy on this exciting opportunity.
Summer 2011
PGMS AWARDED GRANT The Student Chapter of the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) at the University of Maryland, College Park was recently awarded a $1000 grant from the CHS Foundation. The grant will support the chapter’s fundraising efforts to attend the GIE+Expo in Louisville, this Leo vitae diam Kentucky ut facilisis October. Housed in the IAA and est luctus, dignissim, established in 2010, the UMD student in ornare massa imperdiet chaptermauris is the society’s first student urna, diam,chapter. lorem The CHS Foundation, a giving entity vitae sodales et ipsum quisque of CHS Inc., supports agricultural enterprises and education. The GIE +Expo is a national trade association meeting where students will watch demonstrations, test new technology, learn about grounds management, and network among professionals.