Pictured is agriculture agent Dr. Haley Sader with her blueberry field used for her research on productivity of blueberry varieties.
After my first two weeks with University of Maryland Extension in Somerset County I
have had opportunities to experience daily operations and get to know the wonderful and
friendly office staff. This week and last I was able to attend meetings regarding the cover crop
project that Dr. Hirsh is working on this year. Dr. Hirsh has spent time coordinating with
partners such as Sustainable Chesapeake and Future Harvest, as well as coordinating with other agricultural agents to further progress the project. Attending these meetings has given me a better understanding of the complex process to initiate a project. In contribution to the cover crop project I have educated myself by reading a cover crop planning manual by Chris
Lawrence, a cropland agronomist for Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service. His
manual emphasizes the importance of cover crops and how implementing different species, or
even a mix of those species can have a large impact on money crops and soil improvement.
This week I have worked to create a cover crop guide for the farmers involved in this project. The guide includes reference images of cover crops within the three functional groups, legumes, non-legumes, and grasses so the farmers can visualize what their potential crops will look like.
In addition to the guide I have been tasked to create a cover crop seed distributor directory as a resource for local farmers and get an estimate of when seeds can be ordered and shipped.
To finish up my week I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Haley Sader at the Lower
Eastern Shore Research Center. Dr. Sader, an extension agent who specializes in fruit and
vegetable production, showed me around the research farm and her watermelon and blueberry trials. She also introduced me to the fun behind field days.
Throughout the opportunities I have engaged in, I have been demonstrating the core career competencies, career and self-development, communication and professionalism. For the duration of the two weeks as an intern I have strived to be punctual, communicate completion of tasks and willingness to be involved and practice networking. I have really enjoyed getting to know staff and learning their different roles within the University of Maryland Extension. I look forward to continuing to network and apply my knowledge of research and background in biology to problem solve and participate in various projects. I hope to explore and gain more knowledge on aspects of agriculture.
Pictured is a UME tent with agents, and collaborators tents at the vegetative buffers field day as poultry farmers are arriving.
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