Prior to the official starting of the 2023 summer internship, we met a few times after selection with Andrea the coordinator to go over the program and the various sites each intern will be stationed. I will take this time to introduce myself. I am Simala Wright and accept being called by my last name if it helps with pronunciation.
Here is a little background about me. I am an army veteran currently pursuing an Agriculture Business degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. I am currently assigned between the Somerset office located at 30730 Park Drive, Princess Anne with Sara Hirsh my primary mentor and the Lower Eastern Shore Research Center located in Wicomico County at 27664 Nanticoke Grove Road with Haley State my other mentor.
Week one started as expected with day one, meeting with both Sara and Haley in the Somerset office. After exchanging pleasantries, Sara went first in giving me a brief project overview of what she is working on; cover crops with concentration on soil utility and soil health. There are voluntary farmers along the eastern shore of Maryland working with the extension office to conduct biologically active carbon tests between seasons, especially winter and spring, the primary planting time. The object of the test is to see if the type of cover crops increases soil health which will increase the yield at harvesting.
Haley in addition to soil health is currently working on 14 cultivars of blueberries. She is conducting a separate research about cover crops on fruits and vegetables. She is also working with local farmers on the impact of the increased yield on cover crops will translate to increasing yield on the various fruits and vegetables. A sample of cover crops from five farms after 4 weeks of drying is showing promising results. I am excited to play in the dirt.
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