The Key November 5, 2009 Edition

COMMUNICATION

IS

A newsletter for UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends

THE November 5, 2009

CIRCLING

Hoop Dreams Sustainable agriculture comes to Lake Clifton Park

By Joe Tropea, Baltimore City Paper

Tom Handwerker, director of the Small Farm Institute, Maryland Cooperative Extension, UMES, brings the technology of hoop houses originating in Europe to the Real Food Farm project at Lake Clifton Park in Baltimore.

Photos by Joe Tropea

THE

WORLD

"This is a great day for city schools," says Tyler Brown, the 24-year-old project manager of Real Food Farm, a new agricultural endeavor located in Lake Clifton Park. On a recent fall day, Brown is working with a group of 30-40 volunteers, students and construction workers who are building three hoop houses, or high-tunnel greenhouses, on a stretch of land next to Lake Clifton High School. Between the school's parking lot and its track and football field, a semi is dumping a load of compost that has to be spread across three large plots, while three men use a pipe bender to make the skeletons of the hoop houses. The set up, Brown says, should take less than a week. Then, after the first three demonstration models are complete, Civic Works, the city's nonprofit youth-service organization, will build 20 more just beyond the football field. Located in the Herring Run watershed, Lake Clifton High has plenty of ground to spare.

The food grown in these greenhouses – all manner of vegetables and other produce – will be tended by students, educators, volunteers and individuals training to be master gardeners. The food will be sold and distributed to schools, farmers' markets and possibly through a CSA (community supported agriculture) that may be set up at Lake Clifton High.

If Real Food Farm is successful – and there's reason to believe it will be considering the success of a similar endeavor in the city called Great Kids Farm ("The New Meal," Feature, June 3) – it could mean the dawn of an agricultural economy within city limits that provides locally produced, HOOP DREAMS / continued on page 7

2009 Women in Maryland Higher Education annual luncheon unprecedented growth of its student body, record private Dr. Jo-Ellen Asbury and the Executive Board of the Women fundraising, some 22 accreditations and reaccreditations of in Maryland Higher Education (WIMHE), have invited University established programs, the implementation of new academic of Maryland Eastern Shore president, Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, programs and national recognition by U.S. News and World Report to serve as keynote speaker for the 2009 Women in Maryland as one of “America’s Best Black Colleges” under her leadership.

Higher Education annual luncheon. Themed “The Sky is the Limit: Among her many awards and accolades, she was recently Women in Higher Education,” the event is scheduled for Friday, conferred an honorary doctoral degree of literature and November 13, at 11:30 a.m. at the Community College of philosophy at the Walter Sisulu University for Technology & Science Baltimore County – Catonsville. in South Africa. She was named one of the “Most Important Blacks The Maryland Network of Women in Maryland Higher Education is a state chapter of the American Council on Thelma B. Thompson in Technology,” Career Communications Group, Inc., 2007; one Photo by Jim Glovier of the “Women Who are Shaping the World,” Essence Magazine, Education’s (ACE) National Network for Women Leaders. The ACE’s Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) provides the national 2005; and one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women,” 2004. In 2005, she was direction for each chapter as they are charged with identifying women leaders awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by Howard University. Thompson has in higher education, encouraging women leaders to make full use of their been appointed to numerous boards and task forces, having most recently abilities, advancing women into senior-level positions, linking women leaders at served as the chair of the University System of Maryland Council of Presidents all levels to one another and supporting the retention of women in higher and chair of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Council of Chief Executive Officers. education.

To register or for more information about the Women in Maryland Higher The 13th president of UMES, Thompson serves on the ACE Board of Directors and is a sought after speaker for ACE’s OWHE National and Regional Education 2009 Annual Luncheon, visit www.123signup.com/register?id=jchgh.

Leadership Forums. Her leadership at the university has ushered in Admission is $40 and includes free parking.

INSIDE

Page 2 One Maryland One Book Tour International Ed. Week

Page 3 Page 4 Discover GIS Tri-County College Fair Nursing Association Recognizes Coronation Ceremony UMES Doctoral Student

Page 5 LSAT Workshop PGM Students Invited to Special Screening

Page 6 Athletic News

Page 7 Fall Fundraising Appeals

Page 8 Calendar of Events

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The Key / November 5, 2009

CIRCLING

THE

OVA L

UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

One Maryland One Book Tour arrives at UMES

President Thelma B. Thompson and Shelia Bailey, interim dean, Library Services, welcomes James McBride, award-winning author, composer and screenwriter, to the university as one of the stops along the One Maryland One Book Tour. McBride is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, "The Color of Water," the novel, "Miracle at St. Anna," and "Song Yet Sung," the book set on the Eastern Shore and selected for the tour. Sponsored by the Maryland Humanities Council, the visit promotes the shared experience of reading the same book and participating in discussions related to the literature among diverse groups of people in the state. Photo by Jim Glovier

International Education Week features ethnic festival Representing 50 countries, UMES’ contingent of international students is joining in the nation’s observance of International Education Week, November 16 – 20, with an ethnic festival open to the campus community as well as the general public.

The ethnic festival takes place Thursday, November 19, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Services Center Ballroom. According to organizers, the cultural sampling includes activities such as exhibits of items and information specific to the featured countries, demonstrations of ethnic

dancing, modeling of cultural clothing and tasting of authentic foods.

“To know another culture is a blessing in disguise,” said Dr. Sarah Acquah, director, Center for International Education, UMES. “Why? Because it provides an individual the power to survive, tolerate, appreciate, respect and embrace each other regardless of our differences and places of origin.”

UMES currently has over 100 international students. Some of the countries they represent include: Great Britain, Ukraine, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua, Bahamas, Columbia, Chile, China, Japan, India, Korea, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

International Education Week is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education designed to promote programs that prepare citizens of the U.S. for the global environment. It also calls attention to the benefits of students from other countries coming to the U.S. to study and exchange experiences. This year’s theme is “Creating a Vision for a Better Future.”

UMES’ ethnic festival is free. For more information, call 410-651-6079.

UMES PEOPLE

The Key / November 5, 2009

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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Discover and explore Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the UMES Geospatial Information Technologies Laboratory’s second annual GIS Day on Wednesday, November 18, from 1-6 p.m. in the Richard A. Henson Center. Universities; local businesses; and local, state, and federal agencies will provide information and demonstrations.

Held in observance of the National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, November 16-20, GIS Day is a global event designed to educate adults and children about the versatile and powerful technology and its importance in our daily lives.

“Many people are not aware of it, but GIS touches our lives daily,” said Tracie Bishop, GIS program manager at UMES. GIS is used throughout the world in many different fields and applications such as: environmental applications, emergency services, health care, community planning, facilities management, precision agriculture, weather analysis, navigation, GPS, and military and police uses. This technology can also help businesses place

Discover GIS

on the Eastern Shore

Maryland Nurses Association recognizes doctoral student Stacy Cottingham, a student pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in the UMES Organizational Leadership Program, was presented with the Outstanding Pathfinder Award by the Maryland Nurses Association at a luncheon held recently in Baltimore.

The accolade is awarded to a member of the Maryland Nurses Association who has demonstrated excellence and creative leadership that fosters development of the nursing profession. Cottingham was selected based on her work as the director for Partners Stacy Cottingham in Nursing of The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

As the project lead for the two-year demonstration period of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant program to address local nursing workforce needs, Cottingham recruited, trained, acted as a role model and provided support to faculty advisors, mentors and participants in the program. The focus was to create a pipeline for nurses at all career levels into nursing education and make strides in the retention of new graduate nurses on the Shore through an innovative mentoring program.

Cottingham continues to be a role model for continued education as she works toward completion of her degree at UMES. She previously earned her Masters in Science in nursing with a concentration in health care leadership at Salisbury University, where she currently works part-time as a clinical instructor. She is also a staff nurse at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.

She holds professional memberships in the local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, where she is vice president; the Maryland Nurses Association; the American Nurse’s Association and the International Leadership Association. She also volunteers as the nurse coordinator for the Diocese of Easton at Camp Wright in Kent Island and with the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council.

ATMs and restaurants at more convenient locations, allow people to pull maps off the Internet and help farmers grow more crops with less chemicals.

The global observation of GIS Day, in its 11th year, is sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Association of American Geographers, the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, the United States Geological Survey, the Library of Congress, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett–Packard and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).

The UMES event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bishop by calling 410-651-6383, by email at tjbishop@umes.edu or by visiting www.umes.edu/geotech and clicking on events.

Hawk Children's Fund

Gourmet Dinner

"An Evening in Paris" Friday, November 20 7 p.m.

Richard A. Henson Center

Tickets are $25 per person, with $10 of each ticket sold being donated to the Hawk Children's Fund for the Kyamulinga Village project in Uganda, Africa.

Advance tickets required, call 410-651-6562 or email rpgormley@umes.edu.

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The Key / November 5, 2009

UMES PEOPLE UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

UMES sponsors Tri-County College Fair

UMES’ eighth annual Tri-County College Fair will be held on Tuesday, November 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Recruiters from over 100 colleges, universities and the Armed Services are slated to attend.

High schools in the Tri-County area as well as Philadelphia, Pa., New Jersey and the District of Columbia will be sending 1,500 students to the event. Junior and senior high school students, their parents and counselors can pick up literature and discuss educational opportunities with participating institutions.

A few of the institutions attending to date include, but are not limited to, Albright College, Boston University, George Mason University, Harvard University, High Point University, Howard University, Johnson & Wales University, Old Dominion University, Penn State University, Randolph-Macon College, Shepherd University, University of North Carolina in Greensboro, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Washington College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania and West Virginia

University. UMES and the University System of Maryland schools including Frostburg State University, Salisbury University and Towson University will also be represented.

“Sponsoring the college fair gives UMES a chance to provide a valuable service to the Tri-County area schools,” said Tyrone Young, director of admissions and recruitment. “High school students in metropolitan areas have hundreds, if not thousands, of opportunities to attend a college fair, where many institutions are represented instead of traveling to each one individually. The university wanted area students to have the same opportunity, so we stepped up to the plate eight years ago to do the fair. As one of the largest on the Lower Shore, the Tri-County College Fair gives prospective college students and their parents the chance to speak one-on-one with college representatives from all over the country, saving them time and money.”

For more information on the fair, contact Young at 410-651-6411 or by e-mail at tyoung@umes.edu.

Coronation ceremony:

troupe and the American Marketing Association of which she is treasurer.

She was a resident’s assistant with The Herman Franklin Paraprofessional Program.

Thomas placed in the Top 10 in the Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame pageant held in Atlanta, Ga., recently. She will be featured in this month’s issue of Essence Magazine as an HBCU queen.

Upon completion of her degree, Thomas aspires to obtain a law degree in litigation at Rutgers University. She is the daughter of Barbara and Willie Thomas of Capital Heights.

Devin Robertson, Mr. UMES, is a senior biology pre-medicine major.

He has been a member of the Student Government Association since his freshmen year and has served on various committees and was selected as a Mr. Sophomore. Robertson is also a member of the Dechire a La Mode modeling troupe, a hawk mentor and currently serves on the Maryland Higher Education Committee.

After graduation, Robertson plans to attend medical school to pursue a career as an obstetrician. He is the son of Renae Love and Warren Robertson Jr., of Harford County, Md.

for area juniors and seniors

an HBCU tradition

Pictured from left to right at the “Mulan: The Legend of the Majestic Dragon” themed ceremony are: Mr. and Miss Senior Class, Junior McLean and Almetia Whitaker; Mr. and Miss Junior Class, Drake Winkey and Khristian Palmer-Rhodes; Mr. and Miss Sophomore Class, Anthony Wise and Ta-Sha Watkins; and Mr. and Miss Freshmen Class, Armonte Layfield and Asha Francois. Photos by Alverne Chesterfield

The reigning Mr. and Miss UMES and their Imperial Court, one couple from each class, recently took part in a coronation ceremony and royal ball as part of the Parent’s Weekend activities on campus. The ceremony marked a 77-year-old tradition.

Originally that of a homecoming queen, the role of Miss UMES has evolved over the years into that of a university spokesperson, student role model and recruiter for new students. In the late 90s, Mr. UMES and the Imperial Court were added to assist Miss UMES in her duties. Serving as ambassadors for the university, the Imperial Court today attends many academic and social functions throughout the year. They are selected based on their high moral character and a sense of school spirit.

Candace Thomas, a senior majoring in marketing with a minor in English, was crowned Miss UMES. She is active on campus in the Hollarin’ Hawks, the African Student Association, the Dechire a La Mode modeling

SCHOOL NEWS

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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

LSAT Workshop

PGM students invited to special screening

Lynda Cevallos Esquire, pre-law coordinator and undergraduate adviser for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) of the American Bar Association, speaks to a group of UMES students interested in taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The event is part of a fall CLEO workshop sponsored by the UMES Pre-Law Chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, to help prepare students for the LSAT. Cevallos oversees the Thurgood Marshall College Scholars Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Thurgood Marshall Legal Education Opportunity Program.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and an associate’s degree in German from Schiller University in Heidelberg, Germany. She earned her juris doctorate from the Washington College of Law at American University. Photo by Jim Glovier

Pictured from left to right are: Leonard Jones, a professional golfer from Atlanta who was in the documentary; RJ Sheppard, PGM student; Donald McKinnon, PGM student; Pete McDaniel, author of “Uneven Lies;” Billy Dillon, director, UMES PGM Program; Taylor Hawkins, PGM student; Anthony Long, PGM student; Jamila Johnson, UMES golf coach; and Dr. Ernest Boger, chair and associate professor, UMES Department of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Photo by Latisha Brewington

UMES professional golf management students attended a special screening of “Uneven Fairways” held recently at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore City, an invitation only event. Hosted by Comcast Cable and the Golf Channel, the documentary encompasses never seen before footage of the involvement and hardships of African-American men and women who strived to play at the highest levels of golf.

As the first HBCU to offer the Professional Golf Association PGM program, UMES’ program prepares students for a career in all aspects of golf, while offering them internship experience and aiding them in gaining membership in the PGA of America. The PGM students joined over 150 youth and other guests from organizations including Anne Arundel Women’s Golf Organization, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore County Police Athletic League, the Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel, The Enoch Pratt Library Youth Division, The First Tee of Baltimore and The Living Classroom in the introduction to the heroic story of African-Americans who struggled to

find their fair place in golf.

Speakers at the event included legendary golfer Leonard Jones, who is featured in the documentary, and Pete McDaniel, author of “Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African-Americans in Golf.”

“This is an important documentary and one we’re pleased to bring to Baltimore,” said Fred Graffam, regional senior vice president of Comcast.

“The documentary and the book present a unique opportunity to talk about a difficult chapter in American history and the tenacity of many AfricanAmericans who had the courage to stand up for their rights.”

“Uneven Fairways,” produced by GOLF CHANNEL and Moxie Pictures, features interviews with family members of golf pioneers John Shippen, Bill Spiller, Ted Rhodes and Joe Louis and numerous golf legends including Calvin Peete, Jim Thorpe, Charlie Sifford and the four-time winner of the Masters, Tiger Woods. Each participant attending the screening received a copy of the “Uneven Fairways” DVD and Pete McDaniel’s book, “Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African-Americans in Golf.”

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The Key / October 23, 2009

UMES ATHLETICS UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Hawk Talk: A weekly recap of UMES Athletics For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, visit www.umeshawks.com.

By Maggie Hayon, sports information assistant, and the Office of Media Relations, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The 2009-10 basketball season is underway as the men’s and women’s teams packed the William P. Hytche Athletic Center as they hosted their annual Hawk Hysteria. The night started a 3-point contest, won by a team made up of redshirt sophomore Bria Jackson (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Jamal Edwards (Mays Landing, N.J.). The women’s team was then introduced and participated in an intra-squad scrimmage. The night ended with men’s introductions and scrimmage.

CROSS COUNTRY The men’s and women’s cross country teams both took sixth place at the University of Delaware’s Blue and Gold Invitational in Newark, Del. The Hawks earned 201 points in the men’s eight-kilometer race, which was good for sixth out of 14 teams competing. Their average time was 29:38.46.

Junior Amon Kiprotich (Kapsabet, Kenya) crossed first for UMES and 19th overall with a time of 26:50.63. Fellow junior and Kenyan Peter Sang (Kapsabet, Kenya) placed 24th with a time of 27:00.64, while sophomore Shadrack Maritim (Kericho, Kenya) ran 27:08.17, which was good for 26th.

The Lady Hawk runners placed sixth out of 14 teams competing with 188 points and an average time of 20:52.48 in the women’s five-kilometer race.

Junior Eunice Jones (Lanham, Md.) was a medal winner for UMES with her eighth place finish. She ran a season-best 19:24.64. Senior Tamica Thomas (St. Catherine, Jamaica) crossed 35th overall with a time of 20:25.65.

VOLLEYBALL Senior outside hitter Whitney Johnson (Prince Frederick, Md.) tallied a match-high 14 kills as the volleyball team defeated Hampton on Oct., 16, 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-13) in front of 2,131 at the Hytche Center.

The Hawks recorded a seasonhigh hitting percentage of .444, while committing just six attack errors to improve to 14-6 (3-0). UMES held the Lady Pirates to .143 from the floor as Hampton dropped its fourth of six matches. Senior Caylin Woodward Whitney Johnson (Garden Grove, Calif) registered seven kills and a match-best nine digs. Redshirt junior Samantha Chukwura (Brooklyn, N.Y.) chipped in with six kills and freshman Bella Jade Romero (Arlington, Texas) ran the Hawks’ offense with 25 of the team’s 33 assists.

The Hawks traveled to Baltimore on Oct. 18 and swept Coppin State, 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-7).

Johnson and sophomore outside hitter Christine Edwards (Lakewood, Calif.) recorded double-digit kills. Edwards had 14 kills and Johnson 11 to go along Caylin Woodward

The AKA sorority distributes informational brochures from the oncampus counseling center and Life Crisis Center of Salisbury as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

with three and seven digs, respectively. With the win, UMES’ sixth straight, the Hawks improved to 15-6 and 4-0 in the MEAC. Johnson and Woodward tallied 12 and 11 kills, respectively, as the Hawks remain unbeaten in MEAC competition with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-10, 25-17) victory over Howard on Oct. 23. With the win, its seventh straight and third consecutive sweep, UMES improved to 16-6 overall.

The Hawks registered a season-high 17 service aces and Zoe Bowens (Long Beach, Calif.) collected a career-best five of those as UMES also outhit the Bison, .436-.233. Johnson had four aces, two digs and two block assists on the night, while Woodward also had three aces, two assists and two digs.

Edwards and senior Thonya Joseph (Bridgetown, Barbados) recorded six kills apiece. Romero was two digs shy of a double-double with 38 assists and eight digs to go along with a block assist and a .600 hitting percentage. As a team, UMES committed just nine attack errors on 78 total attacks.

Four players recorded at least six kills and two had double digits as the Hawks swept Morgan State on Oct. 25, 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-13) at the Hytche Center, which was designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Day. Woodward led the way for the Hawks with 11 kills and Edwards had 10 as UMES (17-6, 6-0 MEAC) earned its eighth successive victory. Woodward added seven assists, five digs and two block assists. Johnson and Chukwura each tallied six kills. Romero directed the Hawk offense with 31 of the team’s 40 assists. She also threw in six digs, two aces and two kills. Prado led the team with 10 digs. UMES held MSU to a .000 hitting percentage and hit .309 itself.

UPCOMING COMPETITIONS BASKETBALL The men’s basketball team kicks off their season with an exhibition contest against Stevenson on Sat., Nov. 7, at 7 p.m, while the women’s team have an exhibition match against Salisbury on Tues., Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRY NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals take place at UMES beginning at 10 a.m. on Sun., Nov. 15.

VOLLEYBALL Hosts North Carolina Central at 2 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 14, during senior night.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Key / November 5, 2009

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UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Fall fundraising appeals neighbors in need, recognizing that there is no such Faculty and staff at UMES recently received two thing as a spare citizen.” separate annual fall fundraising appeals, the UMES The UMES Office of Human Resources is joining Staff/Faculty Campaign and the Maryland Charity the MCC in its efforts by creating several special events Campaign. Both provide an opportunity to support here at UMES along with facilitating the campaign on scholarship funds at UMES if desired. campus. November 1 began the “12 Days of Giving,” Through the Staff/Faculty Campaign, pledges or which entails 12 prizes of $20 value drawn for 12 donations can be made to the general scholarship consecutive business days. “Coin War” is a fund, athletics, a particular academic school or departmental competition taking place now through department, or the unrestricted fund to channel gifts November 13. Bowling War to the greatest need. For each gift challenges a faculty or staff made, 100 percent is invested with member to defeat Lisa Johnson, no overhead costs. See campaign assistant director, UMES materials or for more information, Department of Human Resources, contact Dr. Veronique Diriker, in a bowling challenge. She will director of Development, at 410bowl one game at the UMES 651-8142 or by email at UMES Staff & Faculty Campaign bowling alley on Monday, vdiriker@umes.edu.

November 9, at 11:30 a.m. Pay $5 The Maryland Charity between November 9, and 13 to Campaign provides an opportunity beat her score. Win and you get a to donate to UMES (select # 5385, $2 refund. Employees donating to University of Maryland Foundation the MCC before November 13 will Inc., and designate UMES as the be entered into raffle drawings. recipient) or to one of over 900 Jim Glovier, video services coordinator, IT, will offer a digital photography nonprofit organizations benefiting Maryland families (see MCC campaign workshop on Wednesday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at the directory).

Henson Center, Room 1118/1120. Donations of $3 benefits the MCC. For According to a message by MCC event co-chairs, Governor Martin more information, contact Betty Fosque, human resources associate II, at O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, “This year’s theme, ‘We Care,’ 410-651-6403 or by email at bafosque@umes.edu. reflects the responsibility we all have in Maryland to help our friends and HOOP DREAMS/ continued from page 1

fresh food to inner-city neighborhoods. The new greenhouses will offer learning opportunities for students, and if the effort takes off, it could also mean new "green" jobs for city residents.

Three days later, two of the hoop houses are finished. They are huge tunnels, 148 feet long by 20 feet wide. They're much like traditional glass greenhouses, only far less expensive – at $5,000 per house, they're priced at about one quarter of what a smaller glass greenhouse would cost.

They're also greener, as they can operate without built-in electric fans and heaters. Inside tunnel number one, it's hot and steamy – more than 20 degrees hotter than it was outside on a recent 68-degree day. Brown demonstrates the house's venting system, which works by spreading overlapping plastic sections open, letting in refreshing gusts of cool autumn air.

"The beauty to this hoop house is that it's extremely simple," Brown says. "Everything can be off a little, it's flexible. So repairs are super easy."

The technology behind the hoop houses comes from Europe, says Tom Handwerker, director of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Small Farm Institute, who Brown refers to as the hoop-house guru. Handwerker, who's been working with Real Food Farm, not only brought the technology, he also brought a construction crew--his friends who agreed to work for free.

"I've been able to travel all over the world. This is technology I'm bringing from . . . Madrid, Paris, London," he says, adding that Real Food Farm "should be pulling [its] first crops within six weeks--and this is in the winter. What they'll do is they'll shift as the season shifts so you get the most

energy-rich, nutrient-dense foods that are available without needing the heating and cooling. This is very petroleum-free."

"All of the food grown in here, which is going to be spinach, lettuces, cold crops for the fall, are going to be going directly to the kids," Brown adds. "The city school system has agreed to buy our first harvest."

Tony Geraci, department head of Food and Nutrition Services for the Baltimore City School System, confirms this later in a phone interview.

"Nobody else is doing this in the country," he says, adding that the project was completed without taxpayer dollars. Instead, it was funded by grants and private investment and with crucial help from people like Ted Rouse, son of developer/philanthropist James Rouse.

Rouse, who responded to questions about his interest in the project via e-mail, says his interest in growing food in greenhouses dates back to 1977 when he built his first greenhouse on South Chester Street in Upper Fells Point. This past May, Rouse presented a plan created by Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance to the city that called for, among other things, the 20 hoop houses to be built at Lake Clifton. "The city was great about taking seriously our request for underutilized park land," he writes.

When asked what kind of potential he thinks Real Food Farm and other such sustainable-agricultural projects could have in the city, Rouse is enthusiastic.

"I believe there are at least 1,500 acres of underutilized land in the city that could be used for urban agriculture," he writes. "I think we could employ as many as four people per acre. Six-thousand jobs in urban agriculture is not a pipe dream.”

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EVENTS

The Key / November 5, 2009

UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Arts F

& Entertainment ALL

2009 CALENDAR

*Unless stipulated, all events listed are FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For more information, call 410-651-6669 or 410-651-6571.

NOVEMBER 8

IMA CHORAL FESTIVAL 5 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts

10

ROGER R. BLUNT LECTURE SERIES 11 a.m. / Student Services Center Theater

10

FACULTY AND STAFF TALENT SHOW 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts

19

19

WIND ENSEMBLE FALL CONCERT 7 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ETHNIC FESTIVAL 11 a.m.

Student Services Center Ballroom

DECEMBER 1&3

9-12

13

8-17

10

FALL FAMILY RECITAL 11 a.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts UMES GOSPEL CHOIR FALL REVIVAL 7 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center UMES GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT 5 p.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center GRADUATING SENIOR SHOW 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Mon. through Fri. Mosely Gallery OPENING RECEPTION Graduating Senior Show 4-6 p.m.

Mosely Gallery

KEEP UMES BEAUTIFUL! DO NOT LITTER!!!

The KEY is published by the Office of Public Relations in the Division of Institutional Advancement.

Editors Gains B. Hawkins, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email:umesnews@umes.edu. All copy is subject to editing.

The KEY is delivered through campus mail and to drop boxes across campus.

Call 410-651-7580 to request additional copies.

The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.

Suzanne Waters Street, Director of Public Relations Gail Stephens, Assistant Director of Public Relations Design by Debi Rus, Rus Design, Inc. Printed by The Hawk Copy Center Office of Public Relations Division of Institutional Advancement University of Maryland Eastern Shore 410-651-7580 410-651-7914 fax www.umes.edu

For the latest news about UMES Athletics, check out Hawk Talk: www.umeshawks.com G. Stan Bradley, Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs/SID University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Department of Athletics W.P. Hytche Athletic Center Princess Anne, MD 21853 Ph. 410-651-6499/Fax: 410-651-7514