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A Message from President Heidi M. Anderson
It has truly been a stellar year for the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (SANS). With a wide range of programs spanning teaching, research and extension, SANS typifies UMES’ core mission as a top land-grant university. During the past year, SANS has implemented many exciting programs, some of which are covered in this magazine. However, I wanted to specifically mention a few that continue to position UMES to be more effective in the delivery of its mission.
First, I am pleased to see the School’s continued efforts to develop talent with its focus on B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs in several critical science disciplines. I was especially gratified to see the tremendous efforts by the team to get the Department of Human Ecology accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). While we await the final determination from AAFCS later this April, the process allowed the Department to focus and sharpen its academic offerings – which is already benefitting students.
I am also pleased with the work that has gone into the establishment and re-imagining of UMES Extension. We have a ways to go; but we are here now, and the future is bright. Along with the expansion of the faculty and staff component within the unit will be an expansion of programs aimed at enhancing and improving the lives of the families and communities that surround us. For instance, the UMES Small Farm Program implemented various educational outreach programs to a wide range of stakeholders, including offerings as part of its annual conference. Its 16th installment this past November attracted nearly 170 attendees. The conference was preceded by a statewide Hemp Conference that brought more than 200 participants to UMES. I am also gratified that UMES Extension is working in concert with the University of Maryland Extension team out
of the University of Maryland College Park to provide seamless programming to Maryland’s citizens.
On the research front, I am excited to see faculty and students investigating issues relevant to Maryland and the nation. Their work spans from research on coastal marine resources out of our laboratory on the Atlantic Coast, to work on the UMES Education and Demonstration Farm and various laboratories on campus covering such important topics as: crop development, poultry and small ruminants, food safety, pest management, nutrient management, and many others. I am also delighted that we will soon begin construction of the new Agricultural Research and Education Center as well as the renovation of facilities on the Education and Demonstration Farm.
I look forward to 2020 with much optimism; but before I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank our many supporters, including the Maryland Legislature and our federal partners such as USDA, NOAA, and NSF as well as a range of private entities. Let me assure you that the SANS and UMES teams are concerned about remaining current and relevant. And it’s a good thing, because I feel it is our duty to do so all while growing students who will take up the agricultural banner in the not so distant future.
You will find details about all that I’ve mentioned and more within these pages. Know that even as you read, we are working to make all that is good in SANS better and what is better, best. Happy New Year to you, our stakeholders, and to my faculty, staff, and students . . . and Happy Reading!
