Week Nine with Extension by Daniel Gustitis

Pictured here is the Ashland Community Garden in Baltimore where we practiced collecting soil samples. It is always impressive to see a space like this in an area covered in concrete and asphalt.

With one week left in this internship, we looked at soil health and climate change, and promoting agriculture that can feed projected populations in a sustainable regenerative way. It is a tall order, and there are many hurdles, but I am hopeful we can get there. I am certainly motivated to be a part of this evolution. This experience has shown me there are plenty of people within the agricultural community who are inspired to contribute to this endeavor.

There is a lot to be excited about when we look at the world of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. There are emerging technologies that can serve us in bringing this project to fruition.

This week I was able to join Neith in teaching a class on turfgrass fertilizer application. It was a great instance of how Extension works to directly serve farmers, and specifically how Baltimore City helps farmers in urban areas, where farming resources may seem scarce. During this training, Neith used very hands-on techniques to demonstrate to people how to take soil samples, giving every individual the time and attention they needed to understand. After that, we engaged in a lecture from Claire Cambardella, a Watershed Restoration Specialist, about the effects of agriculture on our watersheds. Both aspects of the training were very informative, and the group seemed to be very motivated to learn, which is inspiring in itself.

Thursday we had the opportunity to attend the Commodity Classic in Queenstown. It was a hot day, but worthwhile. We were able to not only gain more insight into many aspects of agriculture, but network with members of these sponsors and vendors as well. Along with building relationships with outside entities, we, as UME interns, had a good time bonding with each other.

Friday I was able to attend the Harford County Farm Fair. I was happy to bring my family, and show them some of the things I have got to experience. I never thought I would have been a fan of tractor pulls, but I guess that is what new experiences can do.

Here is the scene at the Harford County Farm Fair during the tractor pull. It was a very exciting time. The weather held out just long enough to experience everything the farm fair had to offer. 

As this summer comes to a close, I am very thankful for everything I have had the opportunity to be involved with. I have been able to be a part of community building, teaching, research, and a variety of other activities. I will be taking all of the skills, knowledge, and relationships I have gained with me into the next stage in my life.