harry r. hughes center for agro-ecology, inc. russell brinsfield, executive director university of...

Harry R. Hughes Center Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.for Agro-Ecology, Inc.

Russell Brinsfield, Executive DirectorRussell Brinsfield, Executive Director

University of Maryland Affiliated FoundationUniversity of Maryland Affiliated FoundationCollege of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesCollege of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Center Profile• History

• Organizational Structure

• Board of Directors

• Advisory Council

Center History

• Pfiesteria• Diverse groups at the

table• Work toward common

goals• Celebrating 10-year

Anniversary

Organizational Structure• University of Maryland Affiliated Foundation

– College of Agriculture and Natural Resources– Wye Research and Education Center

• Board of Directors– 26 members– Diverse Stakeholders– President – Former Governor Harry Hughes– Dean Cheng-i Wei

• Advisory Council– Secretaries of: DBED, DNR, MDA ,MDE and MDP

Mission

• Develop and encourage economically viable and environmentally sound practices for agriculture and forestry

• Improve public understanding and support of agricultural and forest production and protection and preservation of natural resources and open space

• Encourage science-based policy at the Federal, state, and local levels

Principal Activities

• Annual Research Program• Support Policies Based on Research Results• Sponsor Workshops, Symposia, and Forums• Endowed Fellowship Fund

Funding

• Univ. of Maryland• USDA • MD General Assembly• Private Foundations• Individual Giving

Research

• Funded 58 projects– $6.8 million in Center support– $2.6 million of in-kind support– $9.4 million total investment

• 80% of the funding went to University System of Maryland

Environment/Land Use• Switchgrass as a Biofuel• Winter Cereal Cover Crops• Nutrient Transport from Ag Watersheds• Impact of Downzoning on Land Values• Poultry Litter Impacts on Aquatic Resources

– Arsenic– Steroids– Antibiotics

Forestry• Carbon Sequestration• Ecosystem Values of State Forestland• Comprehensive State Forest Assessment• Buffer Effectiveness Assessment• Environmental Safeguards for Biomass Harvest

Communication and Outreach

• TMDL Workshops• State and Federal Legislators Briefings• Workshops to promote research findings

– Land Use Forum– Statewide Forestry Workshop

• Local Government Exchange Program• Mailing List for Newsletter and Updates

www.agroecol.umd.eduwww.agroecol.umd.edu Dr. Russ Brinsfield, DirectorDr. Russ Brinsfield, Director

410.827.6202 or 410.827.6202 or russb2@umd.edu

Dr. Sarah Taylor-Rogers, Assistant Dr. Sarah Taylor-Rogers, Assistant DirectorDirector 410.827.8056 x 130 or 410.827.8056 x 130 or strogers@umd.edu