Week Two - by Cai Diggs

Tomato plants in a greenhouse on a Research Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland before they were planted.

I have been working with Extension for two weeks now. Within these two weeks, I have done a

lot! One memorable activity was planting tomatoes. This was a lengthy process and required a

lot of patience. First, we punched holes in the plastic above the soil and labeled the different

tomato variant sections. We then watered the holes in the soil and placed the tomato plants in

the soil. Next, we merged the plants with the situated soil. Lastly, we placed stakes near the

plants so that, when they grow, the plants can be strung in place. This entire process took a

whole day. Another memorable activity was trimming tomato plants (We deal a lot with

tomatoes!). This involved removing excess stems and leaves from tomato plants in the high

tunnel to keep them neat. We also adjusted the support clips on the tomato plants so that they

continued to grow vertically.

I have set many goals for myself in Extension. One of them is to better understand agricultural

processes in general. I have come into Extension with a more limited knowledge of agriculture,

so I wish to expand it. As an aspiring environmental engineer and design specialist, it is

important to understand agricultural technologies and processes. Another goal of mine is to

improve upon my ability to work as a team. This experience with Extension calls for me to work

collaboratively with others to solve problems. The ability to work with others is rewarded

everywhere, which is why it is so important to develop this skill. Lastly, I wish to make tons of

connections! I have already met so many wonderful people in Extension and wish to meet more.

I have utilized many career competencies in this internship. The first I will be mentioning is

technology. I am constantly using technology in Extension, whether it is a water wheel or plant

clipper. This skill is important to develop because new technologies are always developing, and

if I can get used to using them, I can more effectively adjust and execute tasks with efficiency.

Another competency I have used is equity and inclusion. I have the privilege of working with and

meeting people of many backgrounds in Extension. As our world becomes more interconnected

it is important to know how to collaborate with different types of people. The last competency I

will be mentioning is communication. Me, my mentor, and Extension staff communicate all

the time. Communication is a key aspect to daily life, and if you master it, social and

professional interactions will be more productive and enjoyable.

There is much to learn from Extension, and I am excited to see where the next few weeks take

me!

-Cai

A field I saw on the way to a farm in Queensland, Maryland

Pest experiment on a farm in Queensland, Maryland involving rye and oat.