INAG News Summer-Fall 2023

INAG News

CONTENTS

3 Student Life

5 Graduation 7 Agri-Enthusiasts

9 Class Notes

11

From the Director’s Desk

Afriend recently asked me, “So, how do you like the new job?”

I’ve been serving as our interim Director for a year now, and without hesitation, I replied, “I love it!” After a moment’s thought, I added, “I get to do new things almost every day.”

Cover: INAG250 lecturer, Tom Mazzone, working with Wesley Schriver on improving his weld.

At the IAA, in any given week, I might…

• Sample a set of brews at a local coffee roasting business and share our students’ Zoom chat with the grower;

• Get drenched planting strawberries at the Community Learning Garden;

• Hit the road to visit an alumnus at the Philadelphia Flower Show;

• Interview a set of intriguing candidates for a faculty position;

Part of that variety comes from the students themselves, who are preparing for a wildly diverse set of careers. When people think of “agriculture,” farming may be the first thing that leaps to mind, but at the IAA, students also become golf course superintendents, entrepreneurs of all kinds, veterinary technicians, greenhouse managers, landscapers and arborists, environmental activists or field technicians, educators, managers of public gardens and green spaces...I could go on for hours. If it’s connected to things that grow, IAA students study it.

And that’s why I love it here.Yes, like most administrators, I also spend a lot of time filling out forms–someone has to do it!–but there is no such thing as a dull day at the IAA.

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INAG News is published twice a year by the Institute of Applied Agriculture. You, the reader, are encouraged to share comments, alumni updates, and agriculturerelated news at iaa@umd.edu.

• Watch student presentations in Agricultural Entrepreneurship;

• Help a student choose courses for next year;

• Get up early to welcome guests on a cool, misty morning at our Shields Golf Tournament;

• Visit an intern at their work site, whether that’s the Smithsonian National Zoo or an on-farm brewery.

In other words, every day at the IAA is full of variety.

Heather McHale

Director

Interim

Heather McHale Interim Director

Rebecka Tetter Graphic Designer

Meet Our Newest Colleagues Grossnickle, Barranco, & Slack

Written By: Rebecka Tetter

The Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) is thrilled to welcome three exceptional individuals to its team of dedicated higher education professionals. Lindsay Barranco, Dane Grossnickle, and Chris Slack have recently joined IAA, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to enrich the learning experience and strengthen the IAA’s commitment to excellence in agricultural education.

As the Experiential Learning Coordinator, Barranco plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. As an IAA alumna, Barranco not only holds a Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture but a B.S., J.D., and soon to be M.S. She notes, “I loved being a student in the IAA because the focus was on practical experience and learning…reading about topics is very important, but is only part of it – the real-life, hands-on experience, in my mind, is where the learning really begins!”

As the Agricultural Business Management Lecturer and Advisor, Grossnickle is eager to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in a competitive market and strategize their next career move. “This next generation of Maryland's ‘agripreneurs’ is bringing a roaring momentum of change to our country's agriculture industry – we can't stop it, we can only fuel it!,” said Grossnickle. He is a two-time Terp alum, having earned a B.S. in Agriculture Science and Technology and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.

As the Business Manager, Slack is responsible for overseeing the IAA’s operations, ensuring seamless day-to-day functioning, and spearheading strategic initiatives. Slack holds a B.S. in Financial Economics and soon a M.P.S. in Innovation, Leadership, Entrepreneurship from UMBC.

The IAA is thrilled to welcome these new members to its family. With their combined expertise and unwavering commitment, IAA is confident that they will play a significant role in shaping the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.

CONGRATULATIONS!

TOM MAZZONE for receiving one of the Maryland Ag Council grants for drone technology development at the IAA which will be implemented this fall in INAG237.

DR. LORI SEFTON, Senior Lecturer (Oral Communication) and GEOFFREY RINEHART, Senior Lecturer (Turfgrass) on their recent promotions.

KENNETH INGRAM for the Maryland Day 2023 Success with the Annual Herb Giveaway.

IAA Terp Life

SPRING 2023 SNAPSHOT

1. Nick Held, learning to weld in INAG250: Agriculture Mechanics.

2. Students in INAG248: Topics in Sustainable Agriculture learned about aquaculture from Jose-Luis Izursa, a Senior Lecturer in ENST.

3. Brandon Carbary displays his INAG102: Agricultural Entrepreneurship project prototype that is used to assist homeowners in landscape design.

4. Geoffrey Rinehart, demonstrating a surveying lab to Eddie Cleary in INAG23: Irrigation and Drainage Practices for Turfgrass.

5. Evan Pickering, along with other students in INAG248: Topics in Sustainable Agriculture, learning about and tasting coffee at Vigilante Coffee Company in Hyattsville, MD.

6. The Community Learning Garden poster displayed at the AGNR Innovation and Discovery Night where students showcased their work to prospective employers and industry professionals.

CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS YEAR'S IAA GRADUATES

Martinez Receives Early Career Alumni Award

Written By: Rebecka Tetter

The Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) is proud to congratulate the twenty-two Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 graduates who have successfully earned their certificates in applied agriculture. These individuals have displayed exceptional dedication, passion, and commitment throughout their time at the IAA, and their achievements are worthy of celebration.

To mark this significant milestone, the IAA hosted a pregraduation brunch, where graduates and their families, faculty, and esteemed guests gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the graduating class. The event featured inspiring remarks from Dean Beyrouty, esteemed advisors, and a special guest speaker, Marvin Martinez.

Marvin Martinez, a 2015 alumnus of the IAA's Turfgrass Management program, was awarded the 2023 Early Career Alumni Award. This award honors an IAA graduate who has earned a certificate within the past seven years and has demonstrated remarkable progress in their career or exceptional service to the agricultural industry and/or the IAA.

Martinez's journey into the world of golf was fortuitous, as he stumbled upon it by accident. However, his impact on the industry and the people around him has been profound. Through his relentless work ethic, passion for turfgrass management, and dedication to excellence, Martinez has carved a distinguished path in the golfing realm.

Since graduating from the IAA, Martinez has consistently displayed exceptional leadership skills and has contributed significantly to the golf industry. He currently serves as Senior Assistant Superintendent for the TPC Network, leading 25 team members daily. He has also had the opportunity to work in 18 different tournaments all over the country and the world.

Moreover, Martinez has not only excelled in his career

but has also been actively involved in giving back to the IAA community. He has generously shared his knowledge and expertise with current students, offering mentorship and guidance. His outstanding service to both the industry and the IAA makes him a deserving recipient of the Early Career Alumni Award.

As this year’s IAA graduates move forward, they are poised to make their mark in the agricultural and environmental fields. Equipped with the knowledge and skills gained during their time at the IAA, these graduates are prepared to pursue further education or launch their careers, contributing to the advancement and sustainability of the industry.

The IAA extends its warmest congratulations to the twenty-two Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 graduates for their remarkable achievements and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors. Additionally, the IAA commends Marvin Martinez on receiving the 2023 Early Career Alumni Award, applauding his outstanding contributions to the industry and the IAA community. Sharon Loving (Ornamental Horticulture ’79) was unable to attended the graduation celebration, we are excited to announce that she is the recipient of the IAA Distinguished Alumni Award. Loving is currently the Chief Horticulture and Facilities Officer at Longwood Gardens.

Pictured Below: Early Career Alumni Award Receipient, Marvin Martinez and IAA graduate, Mara Wolfe, who sang the national anthem at the college-wide graduation ceremony alongside an AGNR graduate, Josephine Danckaert.

BRANDON CARBARY PALS Award

The IAA has been involved with the UMD Partnership for Active Learning and Sustainability (PALS) for several years. Since the IAA emphasizes active, experiential learning opportunities this is a natural partnership and presents the opportunity for the IAA to have increased visibility at the university level. This May, IAA Ornamental Horticulture student Brandon Carbary was awarded the PALS Student of the Year Award. Carbary completed an independent study project under the guidance of faculty member Geoffrey Rinehart, conducting turfgrass field assessments for 27 sports fields in Prince George’s County. The information which Carbary collected, assembled, and analyzed, will be used by the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission Prince George’s Parks division to have a better idea of the condition of the sports field and potentially improve the allocation of resources to the fields.

Recipient

Pictured Below Left to Right: Joshua Baker, Shelby Gore, Connor Corcoran, Hailey Poole, Brandon Carbary, Franz Stuppard, Payton O'Connor, Mara Wolfe, Matthew Miller, Mary Eberhard, Elena Kuiper, and Chelsea Patterson.

Pictured Above: Carbary speaking with Provost Rice about his PALS Project findings on sports fields in Prince George's County.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT Franz Stuppard

Written By: Meredith Epstein

Every spring before graduation, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) Alumni Network selects winners for their Outstanding Student Awards. One student is chosen for each academic department in AGNR. For 2023, they unanimously selected Franz Stuppard as the winner for the IAA.

As an Air Force veteran, a board member for several nonprofits, and a recent retiree from the federal government, Stuppard was already very well accomplished when he began his studies at the Institute of Applied Agriculture. He was - and remains - on a mission to hone his skills in sustainable and regenerative agriculture so that he can revitalize his family’s farm in Haiti, doing his part to lift his home country out of poverty.

Stuppard finds value in anything and everything – and helps others to do the same. Whether it is in the classroom, on a field trip, around Jull Hall, at an AGNR event, networking in the local community, or on an international trip, Stuppard is spreading the good word about the IAA

and UMD. Notably, he completed his summer internship at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA and participated in a winter study abroad of Nicaraguan agriculture. Rodale’s Veteran Farmer Training Program allowed Stuppard to connect with military veterans entering the agricultural industry nationwide and gave him hands-on experience in organic crop production. In Nicaragua, Stuppard and other UMD undergraduate students provided technical assistance to Nicaraguan farmers and learned about tropical crop and livestock production systems.

“Whether we live in an industrialized or developing country, food insecurity is a challenge that a lot of us are facing. The two-year program at IAA gave me the necessary tools to face that challenge head-on,” says Stuppard. And we know that he has truly put those tools to use from day one – whether by building a birdhouse for his wife or organizing a meeting with the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United States and recently joining the Ambassador on a second trip to the country. The IAA is incredibly proud of his accomplishments. Congratulations, Franz!

Pictured: Stuppard in front of Nicaraguan backdrop; presenting on study abroad opportunity at AGNR Innovation and Discovery Night; learning about aquaculture at the UMD greenhouse; and at his internship at Rodale Institute.

300+ Agri-Enthusiasts Explore AGNR

Written By: Rebecka Tetter

In an exciting event held in June, the University of Maryland (UMD) played host to over 300 Maryland FFA students for the annual State FFA Convention. This gathering not only provided a platform for these young agricultural enthusiasts to showcase their talents but also served as an excellent opportunity for the university to showcase its diverse programming and foster a connection with the next generation of agri-enthusiasts. As a land-grant institution, UMD is committed to providing accessible education and fostering agricultural advancement. This event allowed the FFA students to witness firsthand the numerous programs and resources offered by the university. The convention offered a wide array of activities that enabled the students to showcase their skills and participate in various career development and leadership events.

Lecturer and Advisor Tom Mazzone notes, "I was really pleased to see the Maryland State FFA Convention return to UMD for the first time in nearly a decade. As a high school student in FFA, I came here to compete, and it later inspired me to attend the University after I witnessed all of the opportunities available here. I can only hope the same impact was had for this generation of FFA members during the convention. I anticipate that this was only the start of a long standing, positive relationship between UMD and FFA."

The Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) provided opportunities for both students and teachers in numerous ways during the convention. Lecturers and Advisors

Geoffrey Rinehart and Kenneth Ingram hosted the first ever turfgrass Career Development Event (CDE) in the state of Maryland. Mazzone hosted a workshop for teachers, in which he taught them how to conduct a metal working project with students to construct a bottle opener. He also led an eletrical workshop for FFA members during which they got to make and take a table lamp with a built in USB charging outlet. Meredith Epstein and Rebecka Tetter shared their knowledge with teachers about helping students navigate alternative pathways after high school graduation. Lastly, Carole Dingess and Tetter helped run the Ag Knowledge Bowl.

The State FFA Convention held at UMD aimed to spark inspiration among the FFA students and encourage them to consider a future at the institution. By showcasing the university's programs, resources, and engaging activities, the hope was that these young agricultural enthusiasts could envision themselves as future Terps! With this event, the university aimed to inspire the FFA students to consider UMD as a potential path to a successful future in agriculture, nurturing the next generation of agrienthusiasts.

Pictured Above: Cecil County and Frederick County FFA teams participating in the Turfgrass CDE outside Jull Hall.

Ingram Receives AGNR Cornerstone Award for LIVENING UP UMD DORMS

Written By: Rebecka Tetter

Kenneth Ingram, a lecturer and advisor at the IAA, has been honored with the 2023 AGNR Optimize Urban Environments Cornerstone Award for his innovative Green Dorm Room Project. The initiative, which has been running successfully for the past decade, provides University of Maryland (UMD) students with a complimentary houseplant to adorn their dorm rooms.

Ingram's Green Dorm Room Project has been a beacon of joy for countless students, brightening their living spaces while promoting a greener lifestyle. Each fall, students eagerly anticipate the opportunity to receive a houseplant, a living companion that not only adds beauty to their surroundings but also offers a myriad of benefits such as improving air quality and reducing stress.

Funding for this remarkable initiative is made possible by the PEPSI grants, which have consistently supported the Green Dorm Room Project throughout the years. This generous support enables Ingram to continue spreading the joy of greenery to UMD students and fostering a culture of sustainability on campus. Ingram's dedication to agricultural education and his passion for creating a greener future have made him a well-deserving recipient of the AGNR Optimize Urban Environments Cornerstone Award.

SUCCESS SHIELDS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Institute of Applied Agriculture would like to extend our gratitude to this year’s players and sponsors for their participation and support in the annual Shields Memorial Golf Tournament held on May 12, 2023 at the University of Maryland Golf Course. We are honored to have had such a dedicated group of players and sponsors like you, who not only share our passion for golf but also recognize the significance of investing in education and the future of our students. Your involvement has contributed to the advancement of our programming and scholarships.

More information to come soon regarding next year’s event!

Pictured Above: Kenneth Ingram receiving his Optimize Urban Environments Cornerstone Award from Dean Beyrouty.

Class Notes

SEND US YOUR NEWS!

We’d like to hear about your personal and professional life.

SEND MAIL TO:

Institute of Applied Agriculture

Jull Hall, Room 2123

4196 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742

EMAIL: iaa@umd.edu

WEB: iaa.umd.edu/points-pride/alumni-spotlight

Matt Fenlon (AG BUS ‘22) retired from UMD and moved to Dublin, Ireland with his wife and dog, Tilly.

Ashley Fennell (AG BUS ‘22) is serving as MANNRS next Region 1 Undergraduate student Vice President for the 2023-2024 year.

Rachel Isolato (AG BUS ‘19), Barbara Sikorski-Murphy (HORT ‘19), and Rebecka Tetter (AG BUS ‘18) recently got married.

Cameron Smith (SUS AG ‘18) graduated with her masters and is starting her PhD this fall.

Scott Hebert (GOLF ‘16) is building a golf course with Grass Clippings in Tempe, AZ.

The Land Group (TLG) has added another Land Advisor to their team of fourteen serving Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Jack Boniface (AG BUS ‘15) joins TLG with a background in agriculture and conservation.

Ricky Quijada (GOLF '05) is now the Superintendent at the Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, MD.

Blaine Oxyer (TURF ‘96) recently accepted a Sales Management Position at Genesis Turfgrass.

Ed Gasper (GOLF '84), Superintendent at Whiskey Creek, retired June 30th after 35 years.

Jull Hall, Rm. 2123

4196 Stadium Drive

University of Maryland

College Park, MD 20742-2525

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