USDA visits our Research Farm!

Reprinted with permission from the USDA.

By Ann Bartuska, Ph.D., Deputy Undersecretary, Research, Education, and Economics, USDA
This year I have had the pleasure of visiting a number of urban agriculture operations. From California to Cleveland, the ability of individuals to realize the multidimensional benefits of agricultural production and leverage them in an urban context has been nothing short of amazing.

Photo caption: Dr. Ellen Harris, Director of the Beltsville Agricultural
Research Center observing the hydroponics research  at the neighboring Muirkirk  Agricultural Experiment Station

This past week I visited a University that is heavily involved in both the research and extension aspect of urban agriculture — right in the backyard of the Department’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Muirkirk Agricultural Experimentation is located about 20 minutes north of the school’s D.C. campus. Upon arrival I found everything from activists passionate about learning how to best provide their neighbors with fresh produce, to researchers developing improved hydroponics systems; and even students working with community organizations on rice varieties suitable to be grown in urban areas.

At the Van Ness campus in D.C., it was clear that from an agricultural perspective, the University has fully embraced its uniqueness as an entirely urban land grant University. For example, while many discussions of urban agriculture have taken place in the context of revitalizing and reclaiming urban areas on the decline, UDC describes its orientation as more “global.” The activities here have been framed by competition for already crowded space as opposed to a solution to urban decay. This has translated into an 18,000 square ft. research garden, designed to optimize rainwater harvesting, and located on a rooftop within earshot of busy Connecticut Avenue.

CAUSES TV: Aquaponic & Hydroponic Research

On this edition of CAUSES TV, you will learn about two very important research projects and technologies that will change food is production around the world; hydroponics and aquaponics. Hydroponics is a technique of growing vegetables in water (instead of soil), and with hydroponics, vegetables and fish are raised/grown in a closed loop system.

Dean O'Hara interviews Tom Kakovitch, creator of the Flovex water aeration system (and 26 other patents). He also recently retired from UDC after 43 years. She also interviews Peter James, director of First Food Farms in Germantown, Maryland, where he develops robotics and renewal energy systems to make urban farming economically viable.

Help design Ward 7's urban farm!

Institute of Gerontology honors senior volunteers

Copyright Marshelle Hailstock

The UDC Institute of Gerontology honored its senior volunteers, thanking them for a year of service at the 35th Annual Senior Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on May 20, 2015. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Clavin Fields, founder of the Institute of Gerontology.

The Senior Companion and Respite Aide programs promote seniors helping seniors through volunteerism. The programs help to preserve the independence of residents of the District of Columbia, supporting low income and disable older persons 55 years and older with high quality and compassionate volunteer service. With the help of senior volunteers, the Senior Companion and the Respite Aide programs improve the lives of seniors who are in need of assistants in order to maintain living in their homes and communities, avoiding institutionalization. Volunteers work up to 20 hours per week, five days a week.

Copyright Marshelle Hailstock

Introducing DC’s first Master Naturalist Program

Please note that this program has been postponed. Stay tuned for additional details!

Copyright: Matthew Carucci

Are you interested in learning more about the natural world around you, and have the desire to give back? Well then the Master Naturalist program may be a good fit for you!

The program has two components: 1) an intensive volunteer training that gives a comprehensive overview of DC’s natural history, followed by 2) a year-long period in which trainees complete 40 hours of volunteer service with pre-approved projects that advance conservation, environmental stewardship, and outreach in the District.

The classes will focus on DC’s physical environment and ecology, followed by a focus on local flora and fauna. Class examples include: geology, forest ecology, taxonomy, birds, aquatic life, etc. Each class is taught by a local expert and is approximately 3 hours long, consisting of a presentation/lecture followed by a hands-on or field activity.

Students learn about agriculture with the Urban Food Production Youth Program

by Arielle Gerstein


The Urban Food Production Program is a half-day workshop where students from D.C. public, charter and private schools visit Muirkirk Research Farm to participate in experiential learning demonstrations and activities about urban farming and its benefits. The program is a CAUSES interdisciplinary collaboration between the Center for Sustainable Development, the Center for 4-H and Youth Development and the Center for Urban Agriculture. Thus far, the program was offered on May 12, with students from Calvary Christian Academy Middle School and May 19, with students from Friendship Blow Pierce Middle Public Charter School attended. 

The students learn about different farming concepts through three activity stations:  

Around CAUSES May 2015

Here's what's been happening Around CAUSES:

UDC announces new President
UDC has selected Ronald Mason, Jr. as the new president, succeeding Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr. His presidency becomes effective July 1. Mason, currently serves as president of Southern University and A&M College System, and is the Chief Executive Officer, providing oversight for the system's five campuses. He will bring some 30 years of experience in the higher education, community development, and legal fields to the UDC.  MORE

UDC is Tom Joyner's School of the Month
UDC was named the Tom Joyner Foundation's School of the Month for May. As such, UDC was promoted by the Tom Joyner Morning Show and will receive funds raised from listeners, alumni and other interested parties during the month. The show, airs in 115 markets around the country, and reaches nearly eight million listeners every week.  MORE

Invasive plant class at Casey Trees- June 3&6 

The invasive plant class will cover invasive plants and how they are threatening our native landscapes. Participants will learn how to identify and control species of non-native, invasive plants found in the Washington, D.C. area. Native alternatives to invasive plants will also be discussed. This course consists of two parts: a 2.5 hour classroom session on June 3, at the  Casey Trees headquarters in Brookland, and a 2.5 hour field session in Rock Creek Park on the morning of June 6. Register here.

UDC farmers market open for the 2015 season

Have you been missing locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and other treats? Well, the wait is over because our farmers market is open for the season! The UDC farmers market is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and is located at 4340 Connecticut Ave., NW, in front of the David A. Clarke School of Law.

"All of the growers are happy to be back," stated Rudy Arredondo, president of the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association, the organization to which all of the UDC produce vendors belong. "They love the location and the market!"

In addition to seasonal fruit and vegetables, vendors offer fresh dairy, pies, flowers, potted herbs, and even freshly prepared hot meals.

Honors convocation highlights academic achievement

CAUSES celebrated our honor students with a convocation held on Friday, May 1, in recognition of academic achievement. Students who demonstrate diligence and determination are commended at the annual celebration. Dr. Gabriela Lemus delivered the keynote address. 

Dr. Lemus (l) with Dean O'Hara

Dr. Lemus serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of the District of Columbia. As Executive Director of “Progressive Congress,” she is leading the organization’s efforts to chart a new vision and strategic direction that is closely aligned with the vision of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Dr. Lemus previously served as: adjunct professor on U.S. Mexico border studies, international economic development and comparative politics at San Diego State University and the University of Memphis; Director of Policy and Legislation at the League of United Latin American Citizens; head of the Labor Council of Latin American Advancement; and Vice-Chair of the Hispanic Leadership Agenda. Here is an excerpt from her address:

"The world is becoming more tightly interwoven, as opposed to getting smaller. This means we're at a critical juncture. You're the answer. You are taking steps forward in a field that is quite unique--the sustainable, evolution of our economy. Soon you'll see it firsthand when you begin your careers. Sustainable development is really a global movement, and the U.S. is last on the charge here. Sustainable development is a holistic, ethic, and political approach that combines economic prosperity, social justice and environmental sustainability. It means that a good society focuses not only on GDP but on economics more broadly--quality of life, that includes decent jobs, social inclusion and environmental sustainability."

Congratulations to the following CAUSES students:

We made NPR!

Guess who made NPR? Our resident "almost a celebrity" farmer, Che Axum!

Just ask Mchezaji "Che" Axum, who runs a research farm for the University of the District of Columbia, the only land-grant university in the country with an exclusively urban focus.

One of the central questions of urban agriculture is how to grow more food in less space. And so, instead of vast fields testing dozens of varieties of wheat, Axum's research farm has raised beds, narrow hoop houses and even a shipping container. He gives growers advice on where to buy decent soil or how to compost their own, in case the land they plan to grow on has a seedy industrial past.
Read Urban Farmers Say It's Time They Got Their Own Research Farms.

And that's not all! Che lent his expertise to Urban Farm Online's Prevent a Chemical Calamity in your Garden and made an appearance in the Food and Environment Reporting Network's Urban Farming Is Booming, But What Does It Really Yield? Read what Che has to say under the "Sustainable and Resilient" section.

Graduation 2015!

The  College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences would like to congratulate everyone who graduated on May 9, 2015! 

Keep reading for a list of graduates!

Free soil testing May 12 - June 26

The UDC Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory (EQTL) of the University of the District of Columbia, is launching a second trial of soil quality testing for DC residents! The free service will be offered on a first come, first served basis for a limited time until June 26, 2015. The service is courtesy of a USDA-grant funded to analyze soil samples in home and community gardens around D.C., and to inform gardeners about the quality of their soil in terms environmental trace metals and essential elements. 

If you are interested, please complete the following steps: 

1. Complete the application form. 

2. Collect your soil sample by following the protocol guidelines. Samples that do not follow proper procedure will not be accepted.

3. Hand deliver the sample to the EQTL Lab, Building 42, Room 110, on the Van Ness campus, Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., or by appointment. 

Please note that we can only accept one composite sample per home garden or individual community garden plot. Please ensure the sample is not too wet to process (due to rain or watering the previous day). 

UDC Farmers Market season starts May 23!

UDC names new President

By John Gordon

The University of the District of Columbia Board of Trustees has concluded its executive search with the selection of Ronald Mason, Jr. as the new president. Mason will succeed Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr., who has served as interim president of the University of the District of Columbia since March 2013. His presidency becomes effective on July 1.

The Board-appointed search committee, co-chaired by alumnus Trustee Joseph L. Askew, Jr. and Trustee Major General Errol R. Schwartz identified Mason from a field of 91 applicants for the position. In making the announcement, Board Chair Elaine A. Crider described Mason as a proven, highly motivated and accomplished higher education professional who is exceptionally and uniquely suited to build upon the successes that the University has achieved during Interim President Lyon’s tenure.

“The president-elect has proven himself a leader in the higher education community in many parts of the country." She said, "Ron Mason has brought enhanced community relationships, responsible governance, and a strong students-first focus to his past roles and will do the same for our University as we continue to implement our Vision 2020 strategic plan.”

CAUSES TV: Healthy Food for Healthy Living

The University of DC is an ag school, really! Having a college of agriculture in a major urban center like Washington, DC, is more important than ever.

According to a January 2013 report issued by the District of Columbia, Office of the Mayor, “The District is growing rapidly – adding more than 1,100 people a month – and is now bigger than both Vermont and Wyoming. The District has not been this populous since the 1970s.”

Yet, with the economic boom that draws new people to DC, we know at CAUSES that many people living here and in cities all over the country, do not have access to healthy food.

Joining Dean O'Hara on this episode of CAUSES TV are two people who really understand the connection between healthy food and the importance of growing it locally in our urban neighborhoods are Dr. Dionne Fortson Toombs, Director of Nutrition, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture; and Dr. Prema Ganganna, Director of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program, here at the University of the District of Columbia.