Meet CAUSES Associate Dean
for Land-Grant Programs
A hearty welcome to CAUSES in Action October edition!
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Our monthly publication is one of many mechanisms through which we communicate our challenges and accomplishments with our stakeholders. Please take some time to join and enjoy exciting initiatives implemented by our Academic and Land-Grant Programs staff to benefit the residents of the District.
A little over eight years ago, the University of the District of Columbia had no College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES). The Land-Grant functions, research through the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and Community Outreach and Engagement in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) were separate units, located in the Division of Community Outreach and Extension Services (COES). We had a Dean for COES, an Associate Dean for AES, and an Associate Dean for CES. COES had no academic offerings, and was, most often, marginalized. With limited resources, both units struggled to serve the District’s residents effectively and thoroughly accomplish goals and objectives mandated by the US Farm Bill for all Land-grant Universities.
“A New Day and A New Opportunity” soon emerged when CAUSES was formed and both AES research and scholarly activities and CES community outreach offerings were integrated into the Land-Grant Programs with your humble servant as the new Associate Dean. The Water Resources Research Institute, with its state-of-the-art environmental quality testing lab for research and teaching was also incorporated into the Land-Grant Programs. Four Land-Grant Centers were formed, closely aligned with Academic Programs, and focused on implementing integrated research and extension activities around the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) priorities.
Each Land-Grant Program Staff has a dual or triple focus of teaching, research and/or community outreach. Joint resources allowed us to build more strategic and holistic capacities with effective program offerings. With the mantra of "Healthy Cities – Healthy People," we have narrowed our programs priorities around the University’s Equity Imperative Vision through the interdisciplinarity of Urban Food Systems and Green Infrastructure to create jobs and new businesses in the Green Economy, improve environmental health of our natural resources and provide affordable and accessible nutrient dense and healthy options for food desert communities. Research and training capacities at our Firebird Research Farm have increased exponentially for faculty, students, and community residents’ experiential training and scholarly research opportunities. Our decentralized Urban Food Hub Model, which integrates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) into the urban food and green infrastructures systems is sought after, both nationally and internationally. Our online program offerings are available to serve all District residents from youth to elderly lifelong learners.
Assessment for continuous improvement is paramount; hence CAUSES will morph into CASHES, which will be announced soon. We extend thanks to President Ronald Mason, Chief Academic Officer Lawrence Potter, and Acting CAUSES Dean Dwane Jones for their leadership and commitment. We appreciate our CAUSES staff and our partners’ commitment and dedication to continuously improving the quality of life of our District residents through the Equity Imperative Vision. Even during these perilous times of COVID-19, you remain steadfast. Again, welcome to “CAUSES in Action,” enjoy your read, and please stay safe.
Kind regards,
William Hare
Associate Dean for Land-Grant Programs
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UDC CAUSES' Architectural Program Receives Full Accreditation! |
We give great pleasure to inform you that CAUSES' Master of Architecture ( M. Arch.) degree program has been granted an eight-year accreditation term by the National Architectural Accrediting Board ( NAAB).
The term becomes effective January 1, 2020, and the program is also scheduled for its next phase for continuing accreditation in 2028. Stay tuned for more program updates!
For more information, please contact Ralph Belton, Acting Chair/ Associate Professor at 202-274-5043 or rbelton@udc.edu. |
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UDC CAUSES EQTL Renewed Primary Accreditation for Another Term! |
We are proud to report UDC CAUSES Environmental Quality Testing Lab has gained its reaccredition for another year at NELAP Accredited Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory ( EQTL). Approval letter can be found here.
We are now open for the soil and water laboratory testing services! Those interested can request quotes and service here. |
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USDA Announces $76.8 Million in Grants Awarded to Strengthen the Specialty Crop Industry! |
We are thrilled to announce that UDC's industry partner, the United States Department of Agriculture Drugs (USDA), is awarding $76.8 million in grants to strengthen the specialty crop industry and increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food! |
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Implemented by the legislative authority of the USDA, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) was developed by the Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the productivity of specialty crops in the United States and U.S. territories. As the land-grant university in the District of Columbia, UDC is the pass-through entity, and invites proposals every year through CAUSES to address problems that would specifically enhance specialty crop production and consumption in the District. Dr. Mamatha Hanumappa (Project Specialist, Specialty and Ethnic Crops) is the District Coordinator for SCBGP.
For FY2020-2023, DC has been allocated $241,627, which will be awarded to 4 projects selected from several proposals. Stay tuned for the upcoming FY2021 grant cycle - CAUSES will announce Requests for Proposals in January 2021. Learn more! |
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NEW: Urban Agriculture Combats Food Insecurity & Builds Community! |
“Food security” will be achieved when all people have access to healthy, nutritious, and safe food at all times, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
In honor of World Food Day on October 16, CSA News magazine is curating a three‐part published series on food security. The first article in the series conveys the following areas:
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- Urban agriculture has seen a surge in popularity as the Covid‐19 pandemic increased interest in gardening.
- As food insecurity threatens areas of urban America, the role of urban agriculture, community gardens, and extension agents in feeding the community manifests.
- Innovations in urban agriculture—from creative reuse of stormwater to soil rehabilitation—help fight food insecurity and prevent further food issues.
Mchezaji “Che” Axum, Director for the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education at the University of the District of Columbia, puts the future of urban farming in perspective: “We need our farmers to be citizen‐scientists. We need to capture data and show everyone what’s really happening [on urban farms], testing how many nutrients are coming out of these gardens—how much beta‐carotene, vitamin D, and B‐12.”
With the heightened interest in growing food in the face of the pandemic, urban extension serves as the go‐between for the average citizen and the stored farming knowledge we’ve accumulated. They are the welcoming committee for our ‘farming‐illiterate’ society as we walk through the doors to food production (DJ McCauly, 2020). Check out this recent news feature to learn more about the future and opportunities of urban agriculture!
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Black Farmers Embrace African Framing Practices as Empowering! |
Thelonius Cook checks on his fall harvest at his farm in Birdsnest, VA, as volunteer Deanna Jamison joins. The Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest is patterned on indigenous African farming techniques. |
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Cook is part of a small but growing movement within the black agricultural community that recasts farming — which, for African Americans, has long been associated with forced labor — as a path toward dignity, empowerment and greening the Earth. They are writing a new history, one newly sprouted farm at a time.
Many black farmers shared similar experiences. “When I first got into this in the early ’80s and told people I was going to school to study agronomy [soil science], folks looked at me like, ‘Why would you do that?’ ” said Mchezaji “Che” Axum, Director of Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education at the University of the District of Columbia. Of the dozens of classmates in his major, only three were people of color, he recalled.
Learn how these cultural methods can help today's farming industry. See here!
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NEW IN: CAUSES Harvest and Donation Report (2020) |
The University of the District of Columbia's Center of Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE) is excited to present its Harvest and Donation report from March to October 2020.
Serving the greater needs of the D.C. community is the Center's primary objective since its development. To date, the Center has donated 9,378 lbs. of fresh produce and goods to D.C. residents in 2020.
Donations were made to these organizations:
- Martha's Table
- Jones Memorial Church
- Dreaming Out Loud
- Mike Jones
- Bread for the City
- Plantita Power
- Food Not Bombs
- Veggie City
- Capital Area Food Bank
- Mutual Aid Network
For more information on donations or interested in partnering with CAUSES, contact Patricia Bon, Staff Assistant at the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education ( CUAGE) at 202-941-7923 or patricia.bon@udc.edu. |
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(Please note that the report's first chart is yearly totals, while the tables below are monthly totals.)
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Newly Published Article by CAUSES Dr. Hanumappa & UFL Researchers! |
CAUSES and University of Florida (UFL) researchers thank DMV’s citizen scientists for helping with their research! CAUSES' Project Specialist Dr. Mamatha Hanumappa and UFL researchers Brianna Posadas and Juan Gilbert published their second publication on the early development and design of a mobile application for crowdsourcing agriculture using lambsquarters as a test case.
To read this scholary article, please see here! |
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Meet Drew Carson - UDC CAUSES NEW Data & Assessment Manager! |
Drew Carson is the Data and Assessment Manager with the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and Land-Grant Programs. He started his new role on October 1, 2020. Drew has three decades of post-doctoral experience in various assessment, data analytics, institutional research, and teaching roles in higher education and industry.
He completed his undergraduate studies in History from Harvard University, followed by a master’s degree in Human Development from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Carson subsequently completed a second bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Kaplan University. He is particularly interested in applications of technology to improve the ability to assess student learning and satisfaction within their educational careers.
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The Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience (CSDR's) New Intern, Ronald Young, Revamps the Native Plant Nursery at UDC's Bertie Backus site!
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Mr. Ronald Young, CDSR’s new Research and Extension Intern and UDC Business major, is busy revamping the Native Plant Nursery at the Backus site. Ronald is initiating a watering and repotting system for newly-delivered native species in collaboration with DC DOEE. These plants are destined for ecosystem restoration work on Kingman Island in the Anacostia River. Nursery operations will be integrated into educational efforts in the future, starting with DC Master Naturalist service, and continuing education hours over the winter. |
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UDC's Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience (CSDR) Partners with NGICP to Grow DC Residents Careers in Green Infrastructure! |
The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program, hosted by the Center for Sustainable Development and Resilience (CSDR) in partnership with DC Water, offers DC residents opportunities to pursue careers in the growing field of green infrastructure. The program serves as a workforce development tool for unemployed or underemployed residents, and a professional development opportunity for those looking to enhance their skillset.
This summer, CSDR hosted the ninth cohort of the NGICP program at UDC, the first cohort to be held virtually due to COVID-19. A total of 17 participants completed the training and sat for the NGICP exam in July, with 71 percent of them receiving passing grades and NGICP certification. Cohort 10 is currently in progress, with participants scheduled to sit for a certification exam in late October.
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UDC Partner, DOEE, Opens its Door to UDC with NEW Fellowship Positions! |
UDC's Industry Partner, the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), opens its door to UDC with new fellowship positions while recruiting local talent for its next cohort program of fellows in 2021.
The Green Fellows Program is a leadership development program in the fields of energy and environment. This Fellowship is a competitive, paid opportunity for graduate students attending local-area higher education institutions or D.C. residents enrolled in local-area graduate programs in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Fellowship opportunities may be available in DOEE's five administrations and the front office:
- Energy Administration (EA)
- Environmental Services Administration (ESA)
- Natural Resources Administration (NRA)
- Operations Support Administration (OSA)
- Urban Sustainability Administration (USA)
- Office of Urban Agriculture (OUA)
- Office of the Director
- Office of the Chief of Staff
For engaging insights on this specialized program, check out testimonials from fellow alumni and now, DOEE's NEW hire, Brandon Hut, and recent student graduate Brenda Perez as they visually share their learnings and experiences about the DOEE's Green Fellows Program. Also, please take time and meet the Program Director, Tommy Wells.
Green Fellows at DOEE are currently accepting applications until 11/8.
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UPDATE: Phase 1 of the Bertie Backus Lid Project is Completed!
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We are pleased to share the final construction from Phase 1 of the Bertie Backus Lid project. The bioretention system is set up where the underdrain goes to two 1,700 gallon underground cisterns located in the conservation area. This system will be monitored over the next year.
"The conservation area is amended with biosolids from the DC water bloom mix. It was deeply tilled with a unique technique using a trencher attachment. We plan to monitor this over the next few years to understand the potential impacts of nutrients, metals, infiltration rates, etc." - Harris Trobman
Casey Trees will be planting trees towards the end of the month that were grown at their nursery, and then UDC will undergo phase 2 of the Lid project, which will include more plantings and education signages. Also, the asphalt berm will help direct water into the system. UDC is looking into potentially adding some blue dots to demonstrate a water flow system.
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Staff Spotlight: The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Awards UDC CAUSES Terri Merz a Fellowship!
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CAUSES Staff Assistant Terri Merz has been awarded a FY21 Arts and Humanities Fellowship from the D.C. Commission on the Arts (CAH) and Humanities for her work as a poet.
"I am thrilled and honored by this recognition, and so grateful that the DC CAH continues to support poetry and all the arts during this pandemic when people and the whole community so need them." - Terri
Also, Merz previously won an Individual Artist Award in 2013 from the D.C. CAH. For information on grant and funding opportunities, please visit here. |
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Coming Soon: Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Journal Club |
The University of the District of Columbia's Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics is interested in starting a journal club. Staff and faculty are welcome to suggest articles and engage in discussion about the article online. Please pass the word to your students. More details will be announced soon! For more information, contact eatrightudc@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Events & Workshops |
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Next Up: The Future of Higher Education Virtual Event! |
As schools around the country plan, react, and adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic, the presidents of Greater Washington’s top universities will gather virtually to discuss health and safety, diversity and inclusion, budgeting, and development of the future of higher education. Join the Washington Business Journal for this look behind the scenes with the decisionmakers as we focus on how these institutions impact our region and our business community.
Join UDC President Ronald Mason Jr. on 11/19 at noon as he communicates his strategic techniques on higher education success, post Covid-19, with the Washington Business Journal.
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CAUSES Fall 2020 Lecture Series Concludes with Disney's Barabara Bouza! |
Join CAUSES for the final event of the Fall Lecture Series featuring architecture & design professionals from around the globe as Barbara Bouza, President of Business Operations at Disney Imagineering, leads next month's live conversation.
Note: The lecture event will be held on November 18 at 6:30 pm and is open to all students, faculty, and guests.
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CAUSES Research Seminar Series
Continues with Episode #4 on 11/13!
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Please sign in for our next Research Seminar Series on November 13 at noon EST! Next month's virtual event will be led by the great Dr. Steffen Lehmann, an internationally recognized Urban Designer, Professor of Architecture, and Director of the interdisciplinary Urban Futures Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
"The Principles of Green Urbanism: Transforming the City for Sustainability" is the topic for this event discussion.
How can we build more resilient cities from the ground up by applying the principles of Green Urbanism? And how can we make sure urban transformation is socially inclusive? Those are a few of the questions we look forward to answering with your participation!
You do not want to miss this live conversation!
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Meeting ID: 108-126-359
Passcode: 636941
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Trending Virtual Programs |
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Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right: A Nutrition Series for Older Adults |
With food security being such a big topic during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to learn how to make affordable, nutritious meals that can be easily stored.
This one-hour workshop is designed to provide participants with information on healthy eating and food safety for older adults. There will be classes on reading and understanding the nutrition facts label and tips for grocery shopping.
Bonus: Each class will include a cooking demonstration with Chef Herb Holden!
For further information, please contact Alison Gerber directly at alison.gerber@udc.edu or
202-934-4107.
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Are you interested in advancing your expertise and skill set in food saftey management?
This virtual course is designed to teach food safety management principles and how to use those principles to create a food safety culture. Additionally, the course emphasizes and provides information to students about identifying and avoiding harmful food contaminants, proper employee health and hygiene, cleaning and sanitation principles, and safe food handling practices. Class will be in session on 10/5!
Bonus: Participants will have the opportunity to earn a Professional Food Manager certification if they pass the national certification exam with a score of 70% or better.
For additional information about this course, please contact Paul Brown, Jr. at pbrown@udc.edu or (202) 841-1902.
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Quick Tips to Understanding Nutrition Facts Label Virtual Event |
Brush up on your nutriton education with CAUSES!
This one-hour workshop is designed to provide event attendees with information and easy tips on reading and understanding the nutrition facts label. Also, participants of this workshop will know what nutrients and ingredients are required on the label by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our upcoming virtual session will kick-off on 10/06!
Bonus: Participants will receive a digital certificate of completion within 10 days of completing the course!
For further information, please contact Dr. Johnson-Largent at tiffany.johnsonlarge@udc.edu or 202-274-6708.
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Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and 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 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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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 is committed to a broad mission of education, research and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University of DC offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and a host of workplace development services designed to create opportunities for student success. The University is comprised of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a Community College and the 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 - 3624 Market Street - Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 267.284.5000.
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.
El Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA) prohíbe la discriminación en todos sus programas y actividades por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, religión, sexo, identidad de género (incluida la expresión de género), orientación sexual, discapacidad, edad, estado civil, estado familiar / parental, ingresos derivados de un programa de asistencia pública, creencias políticas, represalias o represalias por actividades previas de derechos civiles. (No todas las bases prohibidas se aplican a todos los programas.) Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios de comunicación alternativos para obtener información sobre el programa. (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas estadounidense, etc.) debe comunicarse con la Agencia responsable o con el TARGET Center de USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comunicarse con el USDA a través del Federal Relay Service al (800) 877-8339. Además, esta información está disponible en otros idiomas además del inglés. Para presentar una queja alegando discriminación, por favor complete el Formulario de Queja por Discriminación del Programa del USDA, AD-3027, que se encuentra en línea en http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, o en cualquier oficina del USDA o escriba una carta dirigida a Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos, Oficina del Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 y proporcionar en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Envíe su carta o formulario completado al USDA por fax: (202) 690-7442; o correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de queja, llame al (866) 632-9992. USDA es un proveedor, empleador y prestamista con igualdad de oportunidades para todos.
La Universidad del Distrito de Columbia es una institución de Acción Afirmativa en Igualdad de Oportunidades. La Universidad prohíbe la discriminación o el acoso contra cualquier persona sobre la base de la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género reales o percibidos, responsabilidades familiares, matrícula, afiliación política, estado marital, apariencia personal, información genética, estado familiar, fuente de ingresos, estado como víctima de una ofensa intrafamiliar, lugar de residencia o negocio, o estado como veterano, según lo dispuesto y en la medida requerida por los estatutos del Distrito y Federal y regulaciones. Esta política cubre todos los programas, políticas de servicios y procedimientos de la Universidad, incluida la admisión a programas educativos y empleo. La Universidad enfatiza el reclutamiento de minorías, mujeres, personas discapacitadas, veteranos discapacitados, veteranos de la era de Vietnam y otros veteranos elegibles.
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