Zippy zucchini. Tempting tomatoes. Succulent strawberries. Perfect peppers. Blooming basil. Who doesn't love fresh, sustainable produce to fill up a salad bowl? Now, thanks to “Terp Farm” UMD students and the College Park community can get a taste of farm-fresh fruits and veggies year-round! The two-acre sustainable farm is only 15 miles from the College Park campus, meaning that the bountiful crops harvested will be locally grown—and that much more delicious! What’s even better, however, is that our very own IAA students will be some of students responsible for tending the seeds of sustainability.

“The IAA will be integrating the farm into its coursework, specifically the Analyzing Alternative Enterprises, Crop Production Practices, and Intro to Sustainable Agriculture classes,” said Meredith Epstein, Sustainable Agriculture Lecturer at the IAA. “All three classes will have time on the farm and help plan the farm. It will be like a lab!”

This spring, students from the Plant Sciences department helped plant a pollinator garden and construct Terp Farm’s first high tunnel with the expert aid of Dining Service’s facilities team.

Meanwhile, IAA’s Analyzing Alternative Enterprises class helped decide what crops to grow. In addition to the tasty treats mentioned above, students analyzed the feasibility of onions, green beans, and cilantro.

“Students wrote 10 enterprise budgets to determine which crops could be profitable for Terp Farm,” continued Epstein. Those budgets were then presented at the Meet and Greet: Homegrown Eats event and to the Terp Farm Advisory Committee, including Guy Kilpatric, the newly hired farm manager. Kilpatric is using the students’ findings to inform his crop plan.

He is also leading a crew of three student interns each summer. The IAA is providing funding for one of those students each year, so that IAA students interested in sustainable crop production have an opportunity to engage with Terp Farm to satisfy their internship

requirement. That lucky farmhand will not only get paid for the internship but will also be given the opportunity to taste

inagnewsinagnews COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE SUMMER/FALL 2014

Institute of Applied Agriculture2123 Jull Hall, University of MarylandCollege Park, Maryland 20742-2525iaa.umd.edu

CONTENTSFrom the Director ... p 2Fab Four in Fla ... p 3 Shields Memorial ... p 4Excellence Award ... p 5Graduation Day! ... p 6Alumni News ... p 9 Around the ‘Tute ... p 10

A Farm

Admiring  the  greenhouse  at  the  new  Terp  Farm.

See  FARM,  pg.  3

By Nina LaTassa

. . . Finally

After every graduation, I reflect on the academic year, the students, our needs and accomplishments. You know, the typical end-of-the-year thoughts. However, this June I found myself musing about unexpected joys. Many of the joys were delivered courtesy of our growing sustainable agriculture program.

In the past year I’ve noticed more locally grown foods on restaurant menus. Local cheeses, meats, wines, herbs, vegetables, mushrooms, and seafood are being featured in dining establishments throughout the state. And now, the University of Maryland dining halls have followed suit. UMD students will be able to enjoy fresh produce from our own Terp Farm, and IAA students will have access to more hands-on experience with budgets, crop planning and production, distribution, and nutrient management.

This time last year, a campus vegetable farm was a mere distant wish. And now, the ground has been turned and the farm is a reality. The Terp Farm (see the article on the front page) is one of the many opportunities IAA’s Agricultural Business Management and Sustainable Agriculture majors gained this semester that expanded their education beyond the classroom, beyond our campus, and even beyond our state. IAA students have literally learned in the fields of neighboring states on their quest to become fearless farmers.

As our fearless farmers open their mouths to savor the flavors of their labors, we hope to open their eyes and minds to the many possibilities within agriculture. Meredith

Epstein, our Sustainable Agriculture Lecturer and Advisor, coordinated a series of lectures this semester that ran the gamut from opportunities for new farmers to the decline of honeybees. Students learned the art of saving seeds, the fun of foraging for edible weeds, the need for ethnic and specialty crops, the legalities of certified labels, and so much more.

The creative ag enterprises that are popping up and being discussed around Jull Hall are exciting and I can’t wait to see what new ideas our students encounter next year. Twelve months from now, I’ll sit at my desk once again reflecting on the year. I may be munching on a carrot from the Terp Farm thinking about our oral communication courses and the five new faculty members we hired. Or I may be nibbling on lettuce from the IAA teaching garden basking in the glow of another Turf Bowl win. Or I could be gnawing on a radish pondering the year’s unexpected joys.

I hope this issue of INAG News brings joy to you. Keep your eyes open for unexpected joys at your job. Maybe you’ll even receive a visit from the Good Dr. Mathias and his traveling trophies.

Be fearless. d

From the Director...

2 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG News

Looking Ahead......After a Year to Remember

As we all know, the University of Maryland has the number one turf program in the country and 2014 was our year to shine. As a result of winning this year’s Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition in Orlando, FL, the UMD team—dubbed the Fab Four—Brent Waite, Ryan Higgins, Matt Park and I got the chance to work at TPC Sawgrass for a week.

John Deere, a leader in turf equipment and a major sponsor of the Turf Bowl, started a volunteer program in which the winning Turf Bowl team travels to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and be part of the grounds crew for the week of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

This was an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how an event the size of the Players Championship is run. Nearly 100

volunteers from all over the world joined the 75 full-time TPC Sawgrass staff members. The organization and communication required to make a crew of 175 people run smoothly was incredible. The crew was divided into three groups: front nine, back nine and practice facility.

Waite, Higgins and I were assigned to the back nine, while Park was assigned to the practice facility crew. The work detail consisted of mowing greens, maintaining bunkers, repairing divots, and irrigating fairways. The camaraderie of everyone working together made the long, hard days enjoyable.

There were some memorable moments such as meeting professional golfer Zach Johnson, who is sponsored by John Deere. On Tuesday afternoon he

spoke to the grounds crew in the volunteer tent. Between the morning and afternoon work shifts, we were able to walk out on the course to watch play. We saw many of the big name golfers including Phil Mickelson, Ricky Fowler and Bubba Watson. On Monday morning after the tournament, we headed to the famous #17 to hit balls onto the island green, or at least we tried to hit the island green.

The weather was fantastic all week, which helped improve some minor issues with the greens. By Sunday the course was dry and firm and played up to everyone’s expectations. This was a great experience for the four of us. We were able to make valuable contacts with people in the golf industry, people that could one day become an employer or perhaps an employee. d

INAG News Summer/Fall 2014 3

Fab FourVisit Florida

By Brian Hogan

the fruits of his or her labor in the UMD dining halls and at the Green Tidings food truck.

“Terp Farm integrates education and outreach, focusing on production for the campus dining halls and donation back to the community,” said Allison Lilly, Sustainability and Wellness Coordinator for Dining Services. “Any student can sample what is grown. We will be working with chefs in the dining halls to see how our crops can be used in different dishes.”

Lilly says one of the most exciting aspects of the Terp Farm project is that it offers IAA students an opportunity for hands-on experience—not just education—in production of crops.

“It’s wonderful that students, particularly those in the Sustainable Agriculture certificate program, will be enriched by Terp Farm,” stated Lilly. “It’s a wonderful chance that IAA students have

to take advantage of the fact that the faculty can help them learn what to grow and how to do it!”

Epstein is equally as happy as her colleague. After all, as a contributor to the development of the farm at her alma mater, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Epstein appreciates the myriad opportunities that the farm presents to the UMD campus to become a leader in training the next generation of farmers.

“I’m thrilled! The farm has been a long time coming, and I’m fortunate to be a part of it,” she said. “We need more farmers in this country, and we hope they will be focused on sustainable methods.” d

Terp Farm Has Finally ArrivedFARM,  from  pg.  1

inagnewsInstitute of Applied Agriculture

2123 Jull HallUniversity of Maryland

College Park, MD 20742-2525Phone: 301-405-4685 FAX: 301-314-9343

E-mail: gdhyman@umd.edu WEB: iaa.umd.eduIAA DIRECTORGlori D. Hyman

GRAPHIC DESIGNJim Black

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.

4 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG News

University  of  Maryland  alumni  pose  with  the  Collegiate  Turf  Bowl  Trophy  and  the  STMA  Student  Challenge  Trophy  at  the  2014  Shields  Memorial.  Alumni  from  leD  to  right  are  MaE  Pfeiler  (‘97),  Andrew  Puddester  (‘06),  Mark  Dupcak  (‘99),  Brian  Pardoe  (‘96),  and  Mike  Esh  (‘04)

By J. Kevin Mathias

Shields Memorial Hosts a Full Field

After a very cold, cold winter, golfers--like the infamous brown marmorated stink bugs--appeared at Glenn Dale Golf Club for the 35th Annual Shields Memorial on May 9th. The morning overcast conditions turned to sun by noon as a field of 136 golfers tried to regain their golf (s)wings on the well-conditioned course.

Both the Collegiate Turf Bowl and the STMA Student Challenge Trophy were on display for golfers and alumni to admire, marking the first time any UMD Turfgrass teams were able to win both national championships! This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of alumni, industry, and the Shields families.

Over $14,000 was raised at this year’s tournament and the proceeds not only support student travel to national and regional meetings and competitions but also support student scholarships. The Shields Endowment has grown and now generates over $10,000 annually for student

scholarships at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture.  Since 1991 a total of 103 Shields Scholarships have been awarded to deserving students majoring in our Golf Turf program.  d

Five IAA students teamed with 11 PLSC students to compete in the 2014 PLANET Student Career Days at Colorado State University. PLANET, an acronym for Professional Landscape Network, is a national trade association representing over 100,000 landscape industry professionals. The Student Career Days, an annual, three-day competition among university landscape and horticulture students,

tests student skills needed for careers in the landscape industry. This year 65 teams and a total of 743 student competed.

Taking advantage of Spring Break, the UMD team partnered with Penn State for three days of garden tours and fun before the competition. Tours included the Garden of the Gods and the historic Broadmoor Hotel. “It was a busy week,” says IAA

student Brian Knott, who along with his teammates commented on the harrowing bus rides in heavy snow on steep cliffs.

Dr. Steve Cohan organized the trip and Dr. Kevin Mathias helped prepare students for the turf and irrigation events.

Colorado’s weather is notoriously changeable; some days were bright and

PLANET Student Career DaysBy Ken Ingram

See  PLANET,  pg.  12

INAG News Summer/Fall 2014 5

4-Hers and Spuds4-Hers are not the couch potato

kind of crowd. Even if they were, IAA faculty would not allow them to be spec-tators. On Saturday, April 12, more than two dozen 4-Hers from across Maryland descended upon the IAA for a hands-on learning event dealing with—you got it—potatoes.

IAA instructors Roy Walls and Meredith Epstein engaged Maryland’s next-generation agricultural leaders in dynamic spud exercise. Before you could say “hot potato,” the energetic 6 to 12 year old 4-Hers were immersed in a multi-media presentation of fascinating potato facts entitled “Square Foot Spuds.” In short order, Walls and Epstein served up a full menu of learning experiences on the fine points of planting, caring and harvesting multiple varieties of potatoes with exotic names like Russian Bananas, Rose Finn Apples, Norland Dark Reds and Magic Mollys. The young participants not only learned about potato plant science, but also discovered how to build wooden planting boxes that yield more than 100 pounds of potatoes each in only four square feet.

With their potato instruction complete, four eager teams of 4-Hers headed to the IAA Teaching Garden where they were greeted by collegiate volunteers from both AGR and IAA programs. Pre-cut lumber was sorted, hammers and nails were distributed and electric drills were assigned. Within minutes, the pounding, drilling and planting was underway.

IAA participates in the “Learn by Doing” event series to teach 4-Hers about agricultural science and give them the chance to combine their fresh knowledge with state-of-the-art tools and technologies employed by savvy professionals.

“It was amazing to see dozens of little hands busy with tools constructing planting frames for the potatoes,” said Walls. “I hope they will visit campus again with their family to see the result of their efforts,” he added. d

IAA Director Glori Hyman was awarded the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Excellence Award for 2014 for her “demonstrated and consistent pursuit of program excellence.” Each year the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources gives this award to the faculty member who shows a truly exceptional standard of performance of duties, including the ability to be innovative within the job.

Appointed Acting Director of the Institute of Applied Agriculture in 2007, Hyman officially became Director four years later in 2011, and the number of IAA faculty and staff has nearly tripled under her leadership. Hyman successfully developed the IAA Oral Communication Program which is a fundamental part of the University’s new General Education Program. The program was so well received by students and campus, that Associate Provost Donna Hamilton invited the IAA to increase the number of seats from 500 to over 1,500. This has been an enormous achievement for Hyman, the IAA, and the College.

College Forward, a program conceived by Hyman, begins this fall. This transfer advantage program enables students to transition seamlessly from the IAA into ag related baccalaureate programs. The program has tremendous potential to make agricultural education available to many students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. To gain approval for the College Forward program, Hyman had to navigate a plethora of technical, administrative and university offices.

Hyman has been a relentless promoter of the IAA program since she began teaching here in 1990, and she creates a sense of community that fosters professional growth for IAA students and faculty. Associate Dean for Academic Programs Leon Slaughter describes Hyman as “a team player, extremely upbeat and positive, never says no, tremendous sense of humor, always laughing, and someone you can trust to get the job done.” d

Hyman shows faculty Excellence

6 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG

On Thursday, May 22, a dozen proud IAA students celebrated! After semesters of laboring long hours in labs, classrooms, gardens, and on the golf course, the crew of Jull Hall received diplomas in honor of their graduation from the two-year program. Proud new IAA alumni included Kelsie Birney, Stephen Brew, Geoffrey Brittingham, Tyler Brunk, Jonathan Foy, Aaron Frock, Brian Knott, Allison Miller, Matthew Park, Adam Rice, Julia Thome, and Brent Waite.

Before the commencement ceremony, which was held in the Reckord Armory, students enjoyed a pre-graduation buffet lunch at the University Golf Course Club House. IAA Oral Communication lecturer Ed Priola served as the Master of Ceremonies, coordinating the details of the festive affair, while IAA Director Glori Hyman, Associate Dean Leon Slaughter, and IAA Alumnus Michael Larsen spoke on behalf of the institute. Hyman brought smiles to the audience members’ faces as she referenced

popular children’s stories in her opening and closing remarks, proving to the graduates that the life lessons learned in those books never become outdated. Hyman left the students with practical advice to succeed in the working world and in relationships, urging them to always say thank you, to be kind, be patient, and continue to grow.

Larsen, Class of 1971, received the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award for his 41 years of service to the golf turf industry and his commitment to providing internships and job opportunities to IAA students during his four-decade career.

Adding to the rhetoric were graduate speakers Allison Miller, Julia Thome, and Brent Waite, who shared fond memories of their favorite instructors and experiences at the IAA. Though each student had something different to say, they all shared a common refrain, revisiting constantly the fact that IAA faculty members dedicate countless hours of time toward helping their students succeed in the classroom and in the workplace.

“They were always there for us, mentoring us and giving us advice,” said

Julia Thome, an ornamental horticulture major whose passion lies in working in public gardens. “The IAA is like a family. We all know each other and feel like we’re in it together!”

And, together, the class of 2014 donated a tree to the IAA to be planted this fall on the College Park campus, becoming part of the university’s arboretum and the Woodies identification list (for future IAA students)!

Introducing the class of 2014Kelsie BirneyMajor: General Ornamental HorticultureHometown: Elkton, MDActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 Turf Equipment and Supply Turfgrass Scholarship (TESCO); Fall 2013 Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) Scholarship; Spring 2013 Dean's ListPlans: Pursue a business degree

Stephen BrewMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Columbia, MDActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 Turf Equipment and Supply Turfgrass Scholarship (TESCO); Turf Bowl team 2013, 2014.Plans: 2nd Assistant Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, MD

Geoffrey BrittinghamMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Owings Mills, MD Plans: Assistant Superintendent The Woodlands/Diamond Ridge Golf Course, Baltimore, MD

Tyler BrunkMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Glenwood, MD Activities/Awards: 2012 Mid-

Introducing the Class of 2014By Nina LaTassa

INAG News Summer/Fall 2014 7

Atlantic Golf Association of Golf Course Superintendents (MAAGCS) Scholarship; Spring 2013 Dean's ListPlans: Assistant Superintendent Hermitage Country Club, Manakin-Sabot, VA

Jonathan R. FoyMajor: Landscape ManagementHometown: Wilmington, DEActivities/Awards: Dean's List Spring 2010Plans: Operations Manager, Mark Willcher & Co. in Cabin John, MD

Aaron J. T. FrockMajor: Agricultural Business ManagementHometown: Westminster, MD Activities/Awards: Spring 2013 Dean's ListPlans: Waters Orchard, Germantown, MD, and Frocklyn Valley Farm, Westminster, MD

Brian Allen KnottMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Callaway, MD Activities/Awards: Fall 2013 Davey Arbor Scholarship; Fall 2013 Seibel Scholarship; Fall 2013 and Fall 2012 Shields Scholarship; 2012 Mid-Atlantic Golf Association of Golf Course Superintendents (MAAGCS) Scholarship; Spring 2013 and Fall 2012 & 2013 Dean's List; Phil Memorial Scholarship (DC PGMS Branch) 2014; Turf Bowl team 2014; PLANET Competition 2014; UMD Public Health Garden volunteer, Vice President of PGMS Student Chapter

Plans: Assistant Superintendent, Bay Hills Golf Club, Arnold, MD

Allison MillerMajor: Agricultural Business Management, Sustainable Agriculture ConcentrationHometown: Freeland, MDActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 Dr. Cecil M. Massie Scholarship; Fall 2012 Pataspco Grange #403 ScholarshipPlans: Charlottetown Farms, Freeland, MD. Start a grass-fed meat operation.

Matthew J. ParkMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Ellicott City, MDActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 Turf Equipment and Supply Turfgrass Scholarship (TESCO); Fall 2012 Shields Scholarship; 2012 Mid-Atlantic Golf Association of Golf Course Superintendents (MAAGCS) Scholarship; Turf Bowl team 2014, Sports Turf Managers Challenge 2014 Plans: Assistant Superintendent, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, MD

Adam S. RiceMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Woodbridge, VAPlans: Assistant Superintendent, Dominion Valley Country Club, Haymarket, VA

Julia Dawn ThomeMajor: General Ornamental HorticultureHometown: Moved around a lotActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 Dean's List; AGNR Outstanding Student-2-Year Program; Phil Lee Memorial Scholarship (DC PGMS Branch; PGMS National Scholarship); PGMS student chapter memberPlans: Horticulturist, Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, MD

Brent Robert WaiteMajor: Golf Course ManagementHometown: Arnold, MDActivities/Awards: Fall 2013 and Fall 2012 Shields Scholarship; 2012 Mid-Atlantic Golf Association of Golf Course Superintendents (MAAGCS) Scholarship; Spring 2013, Fall 2012& 2013 Dean's List. Turf Bowl team 2013 & 2014; Sports Turf Managers Challenge 2014; PLANET Competition 2014Plans: Assistant Superintendent, TPC Las Vegas Golf Course, Las Vegas, NV d

8 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG News

She’s a national scholarship award winner, a career changer, a dean’s list student carrying 20-credit hours, and a world traveler. She’s a mom. And she’s IAA’s Outstanding Student for 2014.

Julia Thome, a second-year ornamental horticulture major at the IAA was recognized by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association at its annual award banquet in April at the Riggs Alumni Center. This recognition is given to a graduating student who demonstrates leadership, exhibits high standards of citizenship and fellowship, and maintains an above average academic record. Thome embodies all these qualifications and more.

Thome’s life was already impressive before arriving at the IAA. She earned a masters degree in agriculture and resource economics from the University of Maine, and worked in community development and non-profit management, both in the United States and overseas, for 20 years. While employed by Lutheran World Relief, Thome supervised numerous international development projects in diverse places like India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Peru, and Tanzania. Her typical assignments involved working with local staff in rural areas on strategic planning for several weeks at a time. Anti-poverty, agricultural development and emergency relief initiatives were all part of the workload. In Kenya, one of Thome’s favorite project locations,

she worked to develop irrigation infrastructure and water storage capabilities. Immediately before coming to study at IAA, Thome lived for

two years in Brazil with her husband. And, yes, she even speaks Portuguese!

After returning to the U.S., she decided to pursue a technically oriented program. She says, “The IAA fit the bill.” And she “loves the two year program at IAA, which focuses on technical expertise. It puts all the pieces together for me and it combines horticulture with hands-on fun.”

Thome’s academic advisor Ken Ingram says, “Julia’s near perfect 4.0 is impressive, but it is her involvement outside the classroom that impresses me the most. She has become active in several trade associations and rarely misses a meeting or educational seminar in the area. I think she has visited every arboretum and public garden in the area.”

Ingram adds, “I realize our beloved UMD today strongly promotes innovation and entrepreneurship, which is great, however, it is also refreshing to be around a student who is more interested in preserving the natural assets and beautiful plants we already have in Maryland.”

While at the IAA, Thome interned at Chevy Chase Club, where she has taken a permanent job as a horticulturist. d

He did it again! IAA Instructor and Advisor Ken Ingram has been awarded two Pepsi Enhancement Fund grants for the fall 2014 semester. Pepsi Grants fund events that create a campus community, appeal to campus citizens, and advance the university’s academic mission.

With Ken’s leadership, IAA’s Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) Student Chapter was awarded the two grants, and both grants involve collaboration among students in IAA classes. The projects will be both “educational and lots of fun,” according to Ingram.

The first grant activity, the Green Dorm Room Project, is modeled after this year’s successful Green Office Program. “Basically it is a houseplant giveaway to incoming resident students,” states Kelsie Birney, an IAA student who worked with Ingram to select appropriate plants. “The project will conveniently integrate some of the early topics covered in INAG 100: Introduction to Plant Science, which is taught each fall.” Student volunteers took plant cuttings this spring and 500 plants will be ready for students moving into their dorms in August.

The second event, “We Are Golf,” is modeled after a national campaign created by golf organizations to bring the golf industry to the attention of policy makers. “There is a misconception that golf is an elitist sport,” states IAA student and PGMS member Brian Knott. “The truth is golf courses have many environmental and social benefits and the golf industry as a whole has a significant economic impact,” Knott extolled.

The campus event will coincide with the Biennial Ryder Cup Matches held at Gleneagles in Scotland September 26-28.

IAA’s Julia ThomeJournal of an Outstanding Student

by Glori Hyman and Ed Priola

Ken Does it Again!

INAG News Summer/Fall 2014 9

We all know who’s Number 1 among turf programs, and we want our alumni to celebrate this recognition with us.

Since the “Fab Four” team of Brian Hogan, Ryan Higgins, Matt Park, and Brent Waite won two national competitions, The Collegiate Turf Bowl and the STMA Student Challenge, I have decided to take the trophies on the road this year. So far

the trophies have accompanied me to Glenn Dale Golf Club, Congressional Country Club, and the IAA graduation. Guest speakers at the IAA have posed with the trophies.

Who will be next? Watch the IAA Facebook page for new photos of my year-long travels with the trophies. d

Diary of the Traveling Trophies

Congratulations to Ryan Peach, GOLF ’13, and the rest of the crew at Potomac Shores Golf Club on the recent opening of the course.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the 18-hole, par-72 course along the banks of the Potomac just south of Washington, is Nicklaus’s first public course in northern Virginia.

Bryan Shepherd, GOLF ’13, accepted the position of 1st Assistant at Towson Golf and Country in February.

Cory Wesselman, GOLF ’12, is now working as the Assistant Superintendent at Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, MD.

In February 2014, Matt Zipper, GOLF ’11, started a career in IT Security and is working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center supporting the Communications and Security Services Division.

Andrew Prosa, GOLF ’10, is Golf Course Superintendent at Fore Golf Services.

David Thomas, TURF ’10, is now working with the Maryland State

Highway Administration Office of Environmental Design.

Robert Martin, GOLF ’00, is the Superintendent at Common Ground Golf Course in Colorado. He is happy to report that his course has reopened after losing 25 acres to severe flooding.

Jo-Ann Chason, LAND ‘91, is the President of Baltimore County Farm Bureau.

Doug Fleming, TURF ’90, is Director of Finance and Marketing at Core Education, LLC, in Sykesville, MD.

Write In! Alumni News & Notes

by The Good Dr. Mathias

IAA  alumni  at  Congressional  Country  Club  pose  with  the  Collegiate  Turf  Bowl.  From  leD  to  right  are  R.J.  Crow  (‘12),  Josh  Malnik  (‘13),  Steve  Brew  (‘14),  and  Tom  Turi  (’02)

IAA alumni manage beautiful landscapes and are in an ideal position to notice champion trees, which are the largest specimen of a given species on county, state, and national levels. Many Marylanders remember the Wye Oak which was the national champion White Oak before falling in a thunderstorm in June 2002. The nonprofit association American Forests manages the national database and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources manages the state program. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/trees/bigtree.asp . Trees are measured by point system: Circumference in inches, Height in feet, and ¼ Crown Spread in feet = Total Points. There are 16 Prince George’s county champion trees and 4 state champions on the UMCP campus.

While several champion trees are over 100’ tall, the records are

maintained for each species and some champions may only be 20’ tall. Check the state and county database and make comparisons. Both the nominator and the property owner receive recognition.

1999  IAA  graduate  Bryan  Bupp  measures  the  Montgomery  County  champion  Hackberry  tree  at  the  golf  course  he  manages,  BreEon  Woods  RecreaXon  Center  in  Germantown,  MD.  

Champion Trees In Maryland

Ingram Helps Grass Roots Initiative

10 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG News

Around the tuteAround the tute’’Turfgrass Featured at the

National Arboretum? It seems incongruous that a place known for its collection of trees and shrubs is constructing a feature on grasses. Known as The Grass Roots Initiative, http://www.usna.usda.gov/Education/turfgrass.html the four year display “will offer an in-depth look at the science behind this familiar but often misunderstood landscape plant.”

The display, which includes a small scale, par 3 golf hole and a miniature sports field with natural and artificial turf, intends to

“increase the awareness of the importance of turf to society and the environment, demonstate new technologies, and bring together policy makers and others interested in the regulatory issues that impact the industry.” IAA Instructor Ken Ingram joined other volunteers to lay sod and install irrigation. GCSAA TV was in town for the We Are Golf Day on Capitol Hill and shot a video of the project. You should be able to see Ken’s boots on the “sod cam” on the upcoming video. “I’ve laid sod over a lot of things in my day, but never over a camera,” laughs Ken. d

IAA’s Fearless Gardners –Maryland Day

Have you ever watched lady beetles munch greedily on aphids? Or witnessed Bess Bugs scurrying on spindly legs in a battle for the Maryland Day gold? Hundreds of Fearless Gardeners did at this year’s 16th annual Maryland Day. Moms, dads, students, and toddlers giggled, screamed and cheered as IAA faculty and students set up the much-loved Bess Bug races.

The bug races highlighted the IAA’s educational display on beneficial insects. With the use of microscopes, visitors watched lady beetles gobble up plant-destroying aphids. The dreaded aphid is one of the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants, so gardeners and horticulturalist work constantly to protect their plants from such damage. Lady beetles provide a natural solution to rid plants of the sap-sucking buggers.

In addition, visitors were invited to take a tree home to plant. IAA Instructor Ken Ingram and his students grew nearly 2,000 trees to give away. d

Tony’s Tute TalksDoes IAA’s Oral Comm Instructor Tony Pagnotti

look familiar? Perhaps you have seen him on television. Tony spent several years as a television reporter, weather anchor and telethon host in Baltimore and other TV stations around the country. He is currently the weekend meteorologist for Fox45 Morning News in Baltimore, and he brings his broadcast experience to the IAA YouTube channel. Check out Tony’s Tute talks for short video updates on the ‘tute. http://www.youtube.com/user/IAAumd/videos d

TESCO’s Power Through Knowledge“Power through Knowledge” was the tagline in 1994 when Turf

Equipment and Supply Co. (TESCO) partnered with the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) to host its first Turf Equipment University. Twenty years later, Turf Equipment University has become a premier educational event in the greens industry offering education and training for commercial technicians, golf course superintendents, irrigation technicians, and sports fields and grounds managers.

According to TESCO Vice President and General Manager Lance Ernst, TESCO’s goal is “food, fact, and fun.” And for the IAA, funds were added into the mix. TESCO donated $2,500 to the endowed scholarship fund that has been supporting IAA students’ education for over 10 years. Since 2003, 17 students have received scholarships through the TESCO endowed scholarship fund. The three 2013-14 scholarship recipients—Kelsie Birney, Matt Park, and Stephen Brew were recognized at the scholars luncheon held at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City at the conclusion of the Turf Equipment University. d

Student FilesFirst year IAA student Grant “Joe”

Shaffer is proud to say he was raised on a Baltimore County Farm in Glyndon along with 15 Black Angus.

“I have a passion for angus because it’s what I grew up with. They are my favorite kind of livestock and are easy to get attached to,” says Shaffer, who is majoring in Agricultural Business Management.

Shaffer’s ongoing commitment to cattle has earned him this year’s Thomas Hartsock Animal Management Endowed Scholarship. The former IAA Director, Hartsock established the endowment for students with majors either in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences or the IAA, and are studying for non-veterinary careers related to the care and management of livestock. “I’m glad to see the scholarship go to an IAA student who has a passion for farm animals,” says Hartsock.

During summer, Shaffer will be back on the family farm working every day with his herd. With his eye toward the future, Shaffer says next fall he looks forward to taking courses that will help him learn more about the importance of agricultural economics, sustainability and establishing a better connection between farmers and consumers.

After graduation, Shaffer plans to continue running his family farm. “I want to concentrate on bison research and then have at least 20 head of Angus on the farm.” d

Julia Thome and Brian Knott received scholarships from Marie Rojas of the DC Branch of PGMS at the May meeting of the DC Branch at Casey Tree Foundation in Washington, DC. d

IAA Students End Semester With Trip To Sustainable

Livestock FarmThirteen students took a break during exam

week to join IAA faculty members Meredith Epstein (Sustainable Agriculture) and Jason Entsminger (Agricultural Business Management) to visit Smith Meadows Farm in Berryville, Virginia. This livestock enterprise, owned by farmer and author Forrest Pritchard, was featured in Pritchard’s book, Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food and Saving the Family Farm. Like many family-owned farms passed down through generations, the Pritchards’ farm struggled to survive as agriculture changed. Pritchard found renewed promise by embracing new farm enterprises and focusing on sustainable practices.

The visit started at the on-site store and commercial kitchen, where customers can buy meat, eggs, honey, jams, pastas, sausages, potpies and empanadas on the “honor system.” Prices are marked on products, but there is no cashier. Customers pay and make change for products on their own. For many students, this model of “solidarity economics” was a new experience, allowing them to explore the role of trust in the economic life of farm enterprises.

From the store, the group trekked to the beef cattle pasture and discussed Smith Meadows’ livestock production practices, which are organic, but not certified. Pritchard opens the farm for all to view the property and ask questions. He emphasizes holistic veterinary practices, healthy living standards, and humane handling and processing of the animals for market. These practices yield a high-quality product, and differentiate the beef in the marketplace, increasing the value consumers are willing to pay.

Students moved from beef to sheep to swine, where the farm manager explained Pritchard’s rotational grazing strategy—frequently moving animals from one section of the farm to another to manage both the herd’s access to fodder and the land itself. Cattle and chickens are moved daily! The system creates an intricate cycle: pigs are used as natural tillers; cattle, sheep and goats as mowers; and the poultry (housed in a mobile poultry house) as fertilizers.

The students returned to College Park with lungs full of fresh air, minds full of new and sustainable management ideas, and dinner plans full of local eggs and meat! d

Shaffer Wins Hartsock

INAG News Summer/Fall 2014 11

PGMSSCHOLARSHIP

WINNERS

IAA  Lecturers  Meredith  Epstein  (far  leD)  and  Jason  Entsminger  (boEom  right)  with  students  on  field  trip  to  sustainable  livestock  farm.

12 inag news

INSTITUTE OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE2123 Jull HallUniversity of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742-2525

Change Service Requested

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDCollege Park, Maryland

Permit No. 10

IAAat Maryland

tute$thearound

12 inag news

INSTITUTE OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE2123 Jull HallUniversity of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742-2525

Change Service Requested

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDCollege Park, Maryland

Permit No. 10

IAAat Maryland

tute$thearound

12 Summer/Fall 2014 INAG News

sunny followed by days of heavy snow. Brian Hogan said “it was snowing so hard during the Irrigation Troubleshooting event that your tools were quickly covered in snow if you laid them down.”

UMD placed 16th out of 65 teams. Individually, Brent Waite finished 2nd in Plant Problems Diagnosis and 10th in Turf and Weed Identification. d

PLANET,  from  pg.  4

PLANET Student Career Days

Colin Plumley Arboriculture Techniques, Small Engine Repair, Truck & Trailer Operation

Brian Hogan Irrigation Troubleshooting, Maintenance Cost Estimating, Plant Problems Diagnosis

Brian Knott Irrigation Troubleshooting, Irrigation Assembly, Tractor/Loader/Backhoe Operation

Mark Reddinger Arboriculture Techniques, Hardscape Installation, Landscape Mgmt. Operations

Brent Waite Plant Problems Diagnosis, Turf & Weed Identification