CAUSES In Action | March - April 2022 | |
Dr. Dwane Jones, New Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Board Member | |
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region. Northeast SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The program is authorized under Subtitle B of Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. SARE serves all states and Island Protectorates. SARE's Nationwide mission is to advance agricultural innovations that improve profitability, stewardship, and quality of life—in every U.S. state and island protectorate—by investing in groundbreaking research and education.
The guiding principles behind Northeast SARE are captured in their Outcome Statement as the long-term vision for our region:
Northeast SARE's Outcome Statement
Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to customers. Farmers and the people they work with will steward resources to ensure sustainability and resilience, and foster conditions where farmers have high quality of life and communities can thrive.
The program serves Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The program is administered by Northeast SARE's host institution, the University of Vermont.
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DC Master Gardener Program Awarded Grants to 5 Projects in DC!
In February of 2022, the DC Master Gardener program awarded grants to five (5) projects in DC that support gardening, urban agriculture, and urban sustainability initiatives. Selected projects received grants of up to $4,200. Priority was given to projects in Wards 7 and 8.
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Recipients of the MG 2022 Grants:
Growing a Food Forest: Marvin Gaye Urban Farm 2.0, Barbara Paulsen, Ward 7
Watching Our Garden Grow—Charles H. Houston ES, Kevin Bailey, Ward 8
Ward 8 Community Garden, Naomi Fortis-Gebreselassie, Ward 8
No Waste Here, Allison Saunders, Ward 7
Sixth Church Food Closet Garden Startup, Sharon Lavalee, Ward 4
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
We look forward to watching your projects grow!
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Greenhouse Product News (GPN) Features Dr. Matthew Richardson
The award-winning magazine Greenhouse Product News (GPN) highlights controlled environment agriculture and horticulture industries facing significant labor challenges as the average age increases. Learn what Dr. Richardson, acting director of the Center for Urban Research, Engagement & Scholarship (CURES), says about this issue as he prepares their students for careers in the industry.
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Your contribution helps UDC-CAUSES arm its students with the skills and knowledge needed to face global challenges, find solutions to community problems, and meet the industries' talent demands.
Your support is needed to advance faculty research and to continue our legacy of academic excellence and innovation.
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Recently Published: The Resurgence of Blenderized Tube Feedings by Dr. Tia Jeffery | | |
Dr. Tia Jeffery, Assistant Professor, recently published an article, "The Resurgence of Blenderized Tube Feedings: A Review of Safety Concerns, Gastrointestinal Issues, and Anthropometrics," as a lead author with Natalie Mufarrji, RD, LDN, and Claire Harper, RD, LDN, in the February 2022 issue of Support Line, a peer-review publication of the Dietitians in Nutrition Support Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. | |
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Dr. Tolessa Deksissa Featured in BEYA 2022 Stem Conference Magazine | | | |
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In addition to being honored with the "Research Award" for his technical leadership of UDC's Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), Dr. Deksissa has a feature in the BEYA 2022 STEM Conference Magazine from the conference held this February in Washington, DC.
As you click through the magazine, Dr. Deksissa is among a large number of women and men honored for their STEM-related contributions, as well as the major sponsors for this annual event.
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ICYMI: Worldwide Teach-In 2022 on Climate and Justice | | |
The effect of climate extremes can kill thousands in cities unless swift action is taken for equitable global climate solutions. To capitalize on the current momentum toward rebuilding a greener economy post-COVID, over 1,000 colleges, universities, high schools and K-8 schools worldwide participated in a one-day Teach-In on climate solutions and justice in the transition. In collaboration with the DC area college and university consortium, UDC is organized a virtual webinar on March 30, 2022 to discuss climate justice, equitable global solutions, building resilience, community engagement, and more. These three sections organized at UDC brought together students, faculties, and other participants for a live stream Facebook panel. Each session involved lightning speeches lasting only 5 minutes in length followed by a brainstorming and Q&A session. | | |
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10th Annual National Capital Region
Water Resources Symposium Recap
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The 10th National Capital Region Water Resources Symposium was held April 8, 2022, at the University of the District of Columbia. This one-day symposium brought together experts from governmental agencies, academia, the private sector, and nonprofits to discuss challenges and opportunities for sustainable management of water resources and infrastructure in the region, as well as nationally and internationally. The theme of 2022 NCR Water Resources Symposium was “Data Science Applications in Water Management” which was be discussed at the morning plenary session. Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Stacey Archfield, Research Hydrologist at USGS. Expert panelists include Shawn Komlos, Physical Scientist, Institute for Water Resources; Mathew Mampara, Vice President, Dewberry; Sudhir Raj Shrestha, Physical Scientist at NOAA; and Jason H. Davison, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, The Catholic University of America (Moderator). Our Luncheon Speaker is Michelle Wyman, the Executive Director of the Global Council for Science and the Environment.
Concurrent and Poster sessions were offered on all areas of water resources management and water infrastructure.
Click here to download the full Program.
Click here to download the Symposium Booklet of Abstracts for Concurrent and Poster Sessions
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4H Soccer Program Hosts Over 100 High School Youth | We just ended our winter part of this program where more than 100 high school youth visited UDC athletic building on weekly basis, from November 2021 through March 2022. The UDC 4H Soccer Program is dedicated to the promotion and organization of youth soccer at both the recreational and competitive levels. The program is devoted to the development of its players and coaches to allow them to reach their fullest potential and to instill sportsmanship and friendship while developing a healthy living, community, and leadership spirit among all its members. | | |
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Climate Cuisine, Taiwan Podcast Features Dr. Mamatha Hanumappa!
Did you know that the fact sheets we publish have a world-wide audience, not just in DMV?
As many of you know, Dr. Mamatha Hanumappa’s current research is focused on ethnic and specialty crops. As project specialist in specialty and ethnic crops in the Center for Urban Research, Engagement and Scholarship (CURES), she is interested in promoting climate resilient and nutritious food crops in our region. Malabar spinach is a highly nutritious tropical plant which is quite adaptable to our climate. Mamatha and her research interns have published fact sheets on the growth habit and tasty recipes with Malabar spinach, and have distributed seedlings to more than 200 community members. Surprisingly, the fact sheets gained an audience from far away Taiwan and she was interviewed for a podcast on Climate Cuisine, a part of Whetstone Radio Collective. The episode was released on 15-Feb-2022.
Follow these links for more information on Malabar spinach:
1. Malabar Spinach Basella Alba is a Nutritious and Ornamental Plant
2. Easy and Healthy Recipes with Malabar Spinach
3. Sometimes, the Farmers at the Van Ness Farmers Market are UDC Researchers
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See What's Happening in CAUSES!
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The CAUSES Research Seminar offers opportunities for the community to learn about research underway at CAUSES, UDC, and partner organizations across the United States and globally.
All seminars are held on selected Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM EST via Zoom.
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Have Questions? Need Assistance?
For information about the CAUSES Research Seminar Series and its speakers, contact Dr. Sabine O’Hara, Distinguished Professor and Ph.D. Program Director, at sabine.ohara@udc.edu
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| CAUSES Research Seminar Series | | Zoom link will be provided with event registration. | | 05/13/22 12:00pm - 05/13/22 1:30pm US/Eastern | | Land-back Reform and Climate Justice: the history of land-grant universities.
Invited. Speaker to be confirmed. | | | |
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Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right: A Nutrition Series for Older Adults Part 3
This workshop series targets SNAP-eligible older adults living in Washington, D.C., and will address how to create healthy meals on a budget using minimal equipment. This series provides participants with information about healthy eating and food safety, trying new cuisines, time management in the kitchen, and more.
Each workshop includes a cooking demonstration with Chef Herbert Holden. While we hope you will join us for the whole series, we encourage you to register, even if you can only attend a few sessions!
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Please contact Miranda Desmarais at Miranda.Desmarais @udc.edu. | | |
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Course Instructor:
Tiffany N. Johnson-Largent, Ph.D., RDN, LD
Please contact Dr. Johnson-Largent at
202-274-6708 or tiffany.johnsonlarge@udc.edu.
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NEW: Quick Tips to Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label
This FREE one-hour presentation is designed to provide participants with information and easy tips on reading and understanding nutrition facts labels.
Also, participants will learn what nutrients and ingredients are required on the nutrition facts label by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Class Begins: Tuesday, May 10, 2022
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CAUSES Continues to Celebrate Nutrition!
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We salute our very own registered dietitians and licensed nutritionists of CAUSES, Dr. B. Michelle Harris, Associate Professor/DPD Program Director (Department of Health, Nursing, and Nutrition), Dr. Tia Jeffery, Assistant Professor (DHNN), Dr. Tiffany Johnson-Largent, Project Specialist (Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health), Dr. Lillie Monroe-Lord, Center Director (CNDH), Dr. Amy Schweitzer, Project Specialist (CNDH), Dr. Raeleena Collington, Adjunct Faculty (DHNN), and Professor Charmaine Jones, Adjunct Faculty (DHNN) for all they do to promote the nutritional well-being and health of our communities as educators, scholars, and practitioners. | | | |
Cultivate Your Career at CAUSES | |
Whether you are a recent graduate or a skilled industry professional, we welcome you to share your expertise and skills at CAUSES, as we work to recruit and grow our next generation of talent!
We are committed to building a diverse group of leaders and experts within our organization. We aim to create a culture for professionals to thrive.
Our college provides an opportunity to leverage the power of your degree with real career momentum. We offer web-based, on-the-job training, mentor support, and extensive networking opportunities to help you achieve success.
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We invite you to apply for an opportunity best suited for you and your future! | | | |
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Summer Internship Opportunity at Data Science for Public Good | |
The Data Science for the Public Good program at Virginia Tech is recruiting students for its summer internship program. The program is part of the broader Data Science for the Public Good (DSPG) initiative offered by Virginia Tech's Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. It is a member and collaborator in the DSPG network led by the University of Virginia's Biocomplexity Institute's Social and Decision Analytics division. The program allows young scholars to conduct research at the intersection of statistics, computation, and the social sciences to determine how information can be leveraged to inform public policy. Participating students will have their housing and meals provided, and they will also receive a reasonable stipend.
During the summer of 2022, young scholar teams will reside at the Blacksburg campus. They will collaborate on projects that address state, federal, and local government challenges around critical social issues relevant in the world today.
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Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) 2022 Officers
The Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) is a student-run club/organization of UDC that engages nutrition and dietetics students in promotion of the profession and grassroots efforts through outreach and professional development activities.
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Kenya Norris, President
I am Kenya S Norris, wife and mother of three. I have worked in the food service industry since I was 15 years old. Nutrition has always been an interest of mine. I completed my AA in Dietetics and Nutrition in May of 2006. I continued to work in the field. After a major life event, my career ended and I decided to come back to school to further my education in Nutrition and Dietetics. I am currently the SAND President, and this role is helping me to become comfortable with speaking in front of others as well as networking and creating a sense of community amongst the Dietetics and Nutrition Students.
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Carolyn Miller, Vice President
My name is Carolyn Miller, and I am currently serving as the Vice President of SAND. I am passionate about helping people achieve overall health and wellness by incorporating better nutrition and exercise!
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Liesel Abraham, Treasurer
I am a nutrition and dietetics student currently living in Washington, DC. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia and have always had a passion for food and nutrition from a young age. In my free time you can find me outdoors, going on long walks, trying out new restaurants, cooking, creating pottery on the wheel, reading, or working out. After graduating from UDC I hope to become a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric obesity and weight management.
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Lily Spechler, Secretary
Lily is a dietetics major at UDC and very passionate about vegetables! When she’s not talking and thinking about vegetables she is teaching yoga at the local nonprofit Yoga District or helping with research projects for SNAP-Ed.
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Audie Spear, Public Relations
Audie Spear is a senior dietetic student at UDC and the Public Relations Officer for the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND). She is a veteran of the United States Army where she served as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps for several years. Audie decided to change careers to pursue her passion for the field of nutrition and dietetics. Her goal is to return to active-duty service as a registered dietitian to preserve the strength of our nation's fighting force. Outside of school, Audie loves spending time with her 18-month-old son Luke and her husband Bryan, who is currently a Major in the United States Army.
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NEW USDA Internship Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Agricultural Marketing Service is looking for interns to assist the Farmers Market Team with weekly farmers market operations and special events planning & implementation.
Qualifications
• Undergraduate student: Agriculture, Graphic Design, Business Administration, Marketing, Hospitality, Nutrition
• Ability to arrange and coordinate activities and maintain the status of various assignments occurring concurrently.
• Experience utilizing a wide range of communication principles and techniques in order to interpret and explain a variety of subjects and write/edit materials tailored to specific audiences.
• Mastery of interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, team building and management skills needed to work with different agencies, national organizations, institutions and educational groups and varied technical specialist.
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Interested Students should apply via the HACU National Internship Program
For additional questions about the position, please reach out to Toiayna Thompson, USDA Farmers Market Manager at toiayna.thompson@usda.gov.
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ICYMI: Annual UDC Undergraduate Research Week | |
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CAUSES concluded UDC's research week with a bang! The student presentations given on Day 5 were both insightful and the research clearly embraces the mission of the University of the District of Columbia to not only be the public option of higher education within the District, but to also be the source of knowledge and innovation that serves our community. Topics included (but not exhaustive) value inclusive design, agrivoltaics, superblock city design, novel approaches to storm water management, and leadership lessons learned from the history of the Underground Railroad, kept the audience engaged all day.
Many thanks for the leadership of Dean Dwane Jones for his promotion of research in the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and his unwavering support of the Office of University Research. Thanks also to both Dr. Amy Schweitzer and Dr. Matthew Richardson for their tireless efforts over the past six months on the UDCRW2022 Planning Team and member of the UDC Internal Research Council (IRC), respectively. Kudos to Dr. Ricardo Brown, Dr. Anna Franz, Dr. Sabine O'Hara, and their colleagues for their efforts in organizing the student presentations. And finally, to our students for their outstanding curiosity driven research and perseverance.
Day 5 was the last day of UDCRW2022, but fittingly there were a few other concurrent highlights that illuminate UDC's growing research landscape and research presence in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region:
The theme for UDC Research Week 2022 was "DIG-IN: Diversity, Innovation, & Groundbreaking," during research week the UDC community also "discovered, uncovered, and germinated" new ideas, new questions, new research approaches, and an elevated excitement and purpose for the value we all create as a part of UDC's Research Ecosystem.
UDC Research Week 2022 is now history, but our research continues, as we journey along the "Road to R2 by 2024." Again, many thanks for the support of President Ronald Mason, Jr., Provost Lawrence T. Potter, Jr., all of UDC Deans, the UDC Internal Research Council & UDC ResearchWeek 2022 Planning Team, my colleagues in the Office of University Research (OUR/OSP), and all of the UDC administrators, staff, and faculty. Foremost, many, many thanks to our UDC students for choosing the University of the District of Columbia for your education; complimenting your classroom knowledge with the experience in the formulation of a novel idea; and the exploring and problem solving your hypothesis through the execution and practice of research.
See you next year at UDC Research Week 2023!!!
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Environmental Model Workshops in the Community
Jordan Clayton takes Environmental Models to schools and engages students. He brought one of the models to the Introduction to Environmental Science Class and engaged students. The model enabled them to see how pollutants can move around during the rain and pollute our waterways. Students are adding different things such as salt, coffee and other ingredients to mimic pollution in our urban areas. Then they used sprayers to mimic rain.
Next, the class washed and dried the model and ask students to install some GI BMPs (we started the lab with a 15-minutes presentation about watershed and GI projects). As you can see, students in the second round installed many BMPs to control pollution. They used sprayers to mimic rain again, and finally they could compare the water sample from the first round and second round.
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CAUSES Nation Highlights Staff Member Patricia Bon | |
I want to take the time to express my gratitude for Patricia Bon. By listening and following Patricia’s direction, we were able to host many on-site and off-site workshops around the entire city. Patricia distinguished herself through strategic planning, organizing, coordination, implementation and documentation of programing results. Her success was not only my success, but also a successful execution of service work for our community and our university. Patricia is the woman on the scene, day in and day out. She is a remarkable colleague and person, leading others in the pursuit of a more sustainable and resilient future for us all. It has been nothing but a privilege to work with Patricia.
~ Mike Whyte
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| What Would You Like To See More Of In Our Monthly Newsletter? | | | |
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Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). UDC is the only urban, land-grant university in the nation. CAUSES was formed in 2010 as the university’s land-grant college.
We engage in applied teaching and research that helps to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of the District of Columbia and others around the world through traditional academic degrees, and through the non-degree, non-credit bearing, skills-building programs, such as green infrastructure and urban agriculture.
CAUSES is unique in its organizational structure and its mission: an interdisciplinary college, where academic programs, such as architecture, urban sustainability, health education, nutrition and dietetics, and nursing train a forward-thinking generation of professionals who will ensure that the world has “Healthy Cities–Healthy People.” The College houses the only doctoral-level program in the nation that focuses on urban leadership and entrepreneurship.
For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us at causes@udc.edu.
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Socially Active? Stay Connected! | |
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About the University of the District of Columbia
An HBCU, urban land-grant, and the only public university in the nation’s capital, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is committed to a broad mission of education, research and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University offers Associate, Bachelor and Master degrees and a host of workforce development services designed to create opportunities for student success. The University is comprised of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences; College of Arts & Sciences; School of Business & Public Administration; School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; UDC Community College; and the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. To learn more, visit www.udc.edu. The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, this information is available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, please complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed letter or form to USDA via fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action institution. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. This policy covers all programs, services policies, and procedures of the University, including admission to educational programs and employment. The University emphasizes the recruitment of minorities, women, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, Vietnam era veterans, and other eligible veterans.
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