The University of Maryland Eastern Shore hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives at its annual Ag Showcase on August 16 to celebrate the university’s USDA-funded Research, Extension and Teaching Farm south of campus.
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Sanah Baig and USDA Senior Advisor for Racial Equity Dr. Dewayne Goldmon joined UMES President Dr. Heidi Anderson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the free event for agricultural stakeholders on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
“I know that the impacts of this new USDA-funded research, teaching and extension farm at UMES will stretch far beyond the field. Having this dedicated site will enhance agricultural knowledge and unlock opportunities for long-term research while driving more young people into food and agriculture through hands-on learning. We know we desperately need to build the next generation of leaders now and this investment will create that needed pull,” Baig said. “It will also allow the university to increase research and extension collaboration across our entire 1890 land-grant system.”
UMES, an 1890 land-grant historically Black college or university, received approximately $2 million to purchase over 380 acres of land for the facility. Additional 1890 Facilities Grant funds were used to renovate and upgrade existing farm buildings and purchase equipment to enable the university to fulfill its land-grant mission, bringing the total to $4.2 million.
“I am excited for this collaboration between UMES and USDA. The work being done on the UMES Research, Extension, and Teaching Farm covers such important topics as: crop development, poultry and small ruminants, food safety, pest management, nutrient management, and many others,” Anderson said. “I am also delighted in that the partnership grows students who will take up the agricultural banner in the not-so-distant future.”
The farm facility is used for research and teaching activities through the university’s School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences and outreach and extension programs under UMES Extension and its Small Farm Program.
According to Dr. Moses T. Kairo, dean of the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, the farm facility is fully realizing the potential to increase visibility and number of agricultural research programs at the university and promote agricultural science literacy in the community.
Gail Stephens, ag communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3804
Photos by Todd Dudek, ag communications photographer, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, tdudek@umes.edu
At Top: UMES hosted USDA and local dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 16 at the 380-acre Research, Extension and Teaching Farm on Stewart Neck Road in Princess Anne. Pictured from left, are: Owen Johnson, UMES Board of Visitors; Rachel Jones, director of government relations for Maryland Secretary of Agriculture; Almazi Matthews, USDA/1890 National Scholar, junior agriculture major at UMES; Dr. Moses T. Kairo, professor and dean, UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences; Dr. Sanah Baig, deputy under secretary for research, education and economics, USDA; UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson; Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, senior advisor for racial equity, USDA; Lisa Purnell, USDA liaison; and Paulerie Knox, REE Senior Advisor.
Below, clockwise:
UMES associate professor of horticulture Naveen Kumar Dixit ( left) discusses his research on salt tolerant crops (hemp) with (from left) USDA-NIFA Deputy Director for Institute of Youth, Family and Communities Dr. Venu Kalavacharia, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Sanah Baig, Senior Advisor for Racial Equity to the Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, USDA Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist for REE Dr. Deidra Chester, and UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences Dean Moses T. Kairo.
Anne-Meredith Webster, a UMES Ag Showcase attendee, learns about best practices for fungicide treatments in soybeans from Lyle Jarrett of Atlantic Tractor LLC.
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Sanah Baig, left, is greeted by UMES President Heidi M. Anderson prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
UMES chemistry professor Victoria Volkis shares her research on Aronia berries with USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Sanah Baig and USDA-NIFA Deputy Director for Institute of Youth, Family and Communities Dr. Venu Kalavacharia.
UMES farm technician Ronnie Haymaker arrives at the UMES Ag Showcase where small- and large-scale farmers learned the latest on farm equipment and operations technology, soil management, and crop production and diversification.
