Upcoming Event
July 28-31Phosphorus Management & Policy ConferenceSponsored by SERA-17, an interdisciplinary group of university & scientists, dedicated to reducing agricultural phosphorus losses to surface waters by erosion and runoff.Location: Kent Island Hilton Garden Inn, Grasonville, Md. For information, contact:Joshua McGrath,
Dept. of Environmental Science & Technology301-405-1351 or mcgrathj@umd.eduFor registration: http://www.enst.umd.edu/
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Bentlejewski teaching at a recent seminar
Jen stems diabetes
Diabetes ranks as this country's sixth most prevalent cause of death. With rates of diabetes growing every year, doctors, nurses, and state public health officials are busy educating patients and clients about the disease, right? Wrong. At least not in rural areas populated by low-income residents, precisely those at high risk statistically for diabetes. And obesity, which often causes or aggravates the disease. In this video, Jennifer Bentlejewski, registered dietician, talks about her diabetes education and prevention program. An educator for University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, Bentlejewski tailored her "Program of Excellence" for her Allegany and Garrett County clients' needs.
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Photo courtesy Morguefile.com
UM exports active learning
Picture a class at a Chinese university. The class is typically large and the students, who work hard to score high grades, typically silent. Even during time set aside for questions. Yahong Yuan, a researcher visiting UM from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU) in central China, wants Chinese students to learn to fill in the silences. When she leaves for China in August, Yuan'll take with her the active learning emphasized in the United States. "Here," she says, "the learning outcome we strive for is competencies."
The Chinese government, which is financing an initiative at NWAFU to improve teacher skills, shares her thinking. Still, Chinese students confront cultural barriers: fear of losing face and the expectation that teachers know everything. "You don't ask questions," she says, "because you don't want to appear dumb." Yuan is working with nutrition and food science's Martin Lo, associate professor of food bioprocess engineering, on a multi-year research project.
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Hutchinson, 3d from L, with some of her Russian students
When students don't speak your language
What are the consequences of teaching students who don't speak your language? "It gives you a new perspective on teaching" says Heather Hutchinson, nutrient management specialist, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. "And helps you become a better educator." Hutchinson returned recently from two weeks in Russia. Her assignment: teach students at Moscow State University for Environmental Engineering (MSUEE) about water quality issues.
"There was a level of discomfort in not being able to speak the language," admits Hutchinson, who works for Extension's Nutrient Management Program. "But it also was beneficial from a teaching standpoint. You have to be precise and not make assumptions about prior knowledge." Through UM's relationship with MSUEE, college soil scientists teach soil and water quality courses. The goal is to familiarize students with technical and scientific terminology through conversations with native English speakers.
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Still growing after all these (30) years
If you want to be called a master and like gardening, you're in luck! Eighteen Maryland counties and Baltimore city have Master Gardener programs, in which UM professionals train residents in sustainable horticultural practices.
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension runs the Master Gardener Program through the Home and Garden Information Center. Learn about what the program does and how to become a master gardener. Watch a Maryland Public Television video about the program. Check here for the program closest to you. Or contact Jon Traunfeld, program coordinator, at jont@umd.edu or 410-531-5556.
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Wei's Way
Congratulations to Daniel Perez, program director of the UM-based Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza Coordinated Agricultural Project (AICAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently re-funded AICAP with a second five million dollar grant. Daniel is associate professor and virologist at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
I'm pleased to announce that the university Board of Regents has approved the new undergraduate and graduate curricula for the Department of Environmental Science and Technology. Congratulations to Frank Coale, department chair, and to members of the faculty and staff.
It's also my pleasure to announce that Lars Olson will be the new chair of the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, beginning August 1. Many thanks to Ted McConnell, acting chair since Bruce Gardner's illness and untimely death in March.
My sincere congratulations:
To Laura Hunsberger for winning the Search for Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture Recognition Award from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education for her programs to increase the number of farmers on Maryland's Eastern Shore using organic, sustainable farming practices. Laura is an agriculture and natural resources specialist and director of the Worcester County office of University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.
To Lori Lynch, agricultural & resource economics, and Kathryne Everts and Ron Ritter, plant science & landscape architecture, for promotion to full professor.
To Mary Kay Malinoski, John Hall, and Doug Tregoning for promotion to principal agent with University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. Mary Kay is an entomology specialist with the Home and Garden Information Center. John and Doug are both specialists in agriculture and natural resources and directors of their county offices, Kent and Montgomery counties, respectively.
To Jonathan Kays and collaborators for receiving the silver award for "Excellence in Extension Publication," from the Southern Regional Extension Forestry organization for "The Woods in your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home" curriculum. Jonathan is a natural resources specialist with University of Maryland Cooperative Extension at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville.
To Mike Raupp, professor, Department of Entomology, for receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension from the Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America, for his outstanding contributions to Extension entomology.
To Raffaella Giannetto, assistant professor of landscape architecture, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, for the publication of her book, Medici Gardens: From Making to Design, by University of Pennsylvania Press.
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