Annette Kenney has completed her course work in food safety at UMES and is now working to complete her master’s thesis titled Survival and Persistence of Non-Pathogenic E. coli in Manure-amended Certified Organic Soils and Transfer to Tomatoes, Radish, and Spinach Grown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She is exploring whether fresh produce can be safely grown while using poultry litter. She expects to graduate December 2019 with a Master of Science degree in food and agricultural sciences.
Kenney has roots on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland where plenty of farmers raise chickens. She is excited about making a difference in her community first, and then in other communities like hers on the Shore and beyond.
“My ultimate goal is to help youth appreciate all that agriculture provided for us daily,” said Kenney. “I want to mentor youth who can benefit from my agricultural experience. In addition, I want to share the importance of getting involved to help eradicate world food problems like foodborne illnesses, childhood hunger, and the lack of affordable and healthy food or all. We all can do our part.”
Kenney received a $4,000 Delmarva Poultry Industry (DPI) College Scholarship award during her second year of graduate study. She is scheduled to receive an additional $2,000 scholarship Fall Semester 2019, just prior to graduation. Kenney will apply to enter the UMES doctoral program in food science and technology.
“By supporting these students, DPI is investing in the next generation of leadership for our chicken community,” said Holly Porter, DPI’s executive director. “We encourage these young people to put their education and skills to use in Delmarva’s $3.4 billion chicken economy when they graduate.”
