CAUSES In Action | Fall Edition

 
 
 

CAUSES News

 

Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Visits Van Ness Food Hub


Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) visited the award-winning Urban Food Hub model in central Washington, D.C., led by the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). As the only exclusively urban 1862 Land-Grant University and Historically Black College and University (HBCU), the Van Ness Urban Food Hub exemplifies UDC's commitment to building capacity across the diverse communities in the city, especially in the “food desert” neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.


The FAO Director-General received a campus tour of the food systems and green infrastructure facilities on the Van Ness campus and the Bertie Backus campus in Ward 5 of the District of Columbia.


“Investing in urban food systems is critical to advancing sustainable agri-food systems. Especially with cities absorbing up to 70 percent of the food supply and producing 70 percent of global waste,” said Dongyu. “That’s why FAO launched the Green Cities Initiative in 2020 to improve the livelihood and well-being of urban populations in 100 cities in the world by strengthening collaboration with local and national authorities, city councils, the private sector, and academia.” 


Take a virtual tour of the Van Ness Urban Food Hub here.

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LettUs Design Wins Urban Greenhouse Challenge Grand Finals

LettUs Design won the Grand Finals of the Urban Greenhouse Challenge and received a sum of 10,000 euros for their modular and inclusive urban farming design. The other winners are USC Stack and AMS Caterpillars. AMS Caterpillars also won the local residents’ award.


It was the third and the last time that Wageningen University & Research organized the Urban Greenhouse Challenge. This year’s edition was in close collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia because the urban farm concepts were to be situated in Ward 7, Washington D.C. Earlier editions were organized in Amsterdam (2018) and Dongguan, China (2020).


First Place: LettUs Design - UDC Student Coach: Campbell Jackson

Second Place: USC Stack - UDC Student Coach: Jason Halec

Third Place: AMS Caterpillars - UDC Student Coach: Juan Espinoza


"A special thank you to Rio Pals, Marta Eggers, Monica Vidal, Marian Stuiver, Marianne Vaes, Dr. Sabine O'Hara, Dr. Anna Franz, Dr. Dwane Jones, and Profesor Kathy Dixon for their leadership, guidance, and coordination as well as our panelist guests who encourage and inspire the teams on their designs. The teams really worked hard between Milestone 1 and Milestone 2, and it showed. In the end, it was a tough decision, and the Final Jury was in awe of the final pitches from each team. 


Thanks to all of the UDC student coaches for your contributions and commitment to supporting the teams throughout the competition. Many of you, if not all, really stepped up as leaders to assist and support the teams. All the teams were very appreciative of your involvement, and I share the same sentiments. The winning team's design involves urban farming, sustainability, and social impact, and its effect on Ward 7 at East Capitol Urban Farm in Washington, D.C. Bravo to all the teams and to LettUs Design as the first-place winners of the UGC#3." ~ Eric Harris, UDC Alumnus. 


Live Stream of the Urban Greenhouse Challenge 3: Social Edition

Full Article
 

2022 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference Honors Associate Professor Kathy Dixon

Vortex Collaborators: Melissa Daniel, Kathy Dixon, Kathryn Prigmore, and Katherine Williams with 2022 Keynote Speaker Barack Obama.

Riding the Vortex Collaborator and CAUSES Professor, Kathy Dixon FAIA, NOMAC, was honored with the 2022 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award at the recent Architecture Institute of Architects Conference on Architecture in Chicago, Illinois. Kathy has been a collaborator with the Riding the Vortex initiative since it began in 2007.

 

For more than a decade, Riding the Vortex (VORTEX), a collaboration of African-American women representing the entire spectrum of practice, has endeavored to increase the number of people of color licensed to practice architecture in the U.S. Since its 2007 launch at the AIA Conference on Architecture in San Antonio, Texas, VORTEX has directly responded to Whitney M. Young Jr.’s observations on the disheartening history of American architecture. VORTEX’s key collaborators are architects and design leaders Kathryn Prigmore, FAIA, NOMAC; Kathy Dixon, FAIA, NOMA; Katherine Williams, AIA, NOMA; and Melissa R. Daniel, Assoc. AIA, NOMA. Learn more at aia.org



View the tribute video here.

Full Article

Bertie Backus Commercial Kitchen is Officially Certified!


Bertie Backus' commercial kitchen has met the requirements of the DC Department of Health (Health Regulation and Licensing Administration; Food Safety & Hygiene Inspection Services Division) and is officially certified!


This means UDC-CAUSES has two licensed commercial facilities that are certified for food production. Also, we are licensed to officially operate as a kitchen incubator and an educational facility for catering and training.

 

Food Safety Systems programming will begin at the Van Ness, and Bertie Backus locations after each commercial kitchen has been stocked with supplies. 


Special thanks to Dr. Carlton Crockett, Senior Program Coordinator for Food Safety Systems, for spearheading the certification and licensure procedures for the commercial kitchen.

 

 
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CONTRIBUTE TO CAUSES

 
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Your contribution helps UDC-CAUSES arm its students with the skills and knowledge needed to face global challenges, find solutions to community problems, and meet industries' talent demands. 


Your support is needed to advance faculty research and to continue our legacy of academic excellence and innovation.

Donate Here
 
 

Newly Released

 

UDC Architecture Students Selected as CRIT Scholars


American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) CRIT Scholar is a research-based fellowship program funded by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in partnership with several prominent architecture firms. The program aims to support student research and serves as an exclusive opportunity for students to receive further guidance in their own research. Each CRIT Scholar receives a $1,000 grant to fund their research. In addition, they are personally matched with an architect advisor who specializes in their topic area of research. In 2021, two of UDC’s graduate-level architecture students (Juan Espinoza and John Young) were chosen as AIAS CRIT Scholars from a national pool. Only eight students were selected. Summaries of Juan Espinoza and John Young’s research papers were published in Issue 90 of the CRIT journal. To read their summaries, please follow the link to Issue 90 provided below. 


In 2022, three CAUSES students (Cameron Wright, Moyosore Oguntoye, and Alex Hagen) were among a total of nine students who were selected as AIAS CRIT Scholars. In addition to AIAS CRIT Scholar mentors, UDC-CAUSES has a number of internal and external advisors that are nationally recognized, including Gretchen Pfaehler, who joined UDC-CAUSES as an adjunct faculty member last year.

 

Professor Kimberly Tuttle serves as the faculty advisor for the AIAS chapter at UDC. She is a marvelous advocate for UDC-CAUSES students. In addition to teaching classes and working with the AIAS chapter, Professor Tuttle coordinates a career fair each year. 

Learn more about Architecture and Community Planning here.

Full Journal

Editor’s Choice: Producing Cherry Tomatoes in Urban Agriculture by CURES Director, Dr. Matthew Richardson and Research Associate, Caitlin Arlotta

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area.The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Congratulations to Dr. Richardson and Caitlin Arlotta on your published body of work. We look forward to reading more of your contributions to urban agriculture research!

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A Must Read: Food Security and Lifestyle Vulnerabilities as Systemic Influencers of COVID-19 Survivability by Dr. Sabine O'Hara

Distinguished Professor & Ph.D. Program Director, Dr. Sabine O'Hara and colleague Maros Ivanic recently published an article titled, "Food Security and Lifestyle Vulnerabilities as Systemic Influencers of COVID-19 Survivability" in the Medical Research Archives of the European Society of Medicine. Research on the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed some previously concealed links between underlying health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and COVID-19 fatalities. This raises questions about the importance of healthy diets and lifestyles for the survivability of COVID-19 infections and possibly other infectious diseases.

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Tune In

 

Now Live: Deep Dive Series Episode 9 Featuring Dr. Tia Jeffery!

A "Deep Dive with CAUSES" provides real-time and current updates on land-grant and academic programs, student opportunities, live events, and campus news.

Watch Now

ICYMI: Chef Herb Speaks on Folklife Festival Panel, Food for All: Equity, Access, and Justice

Chef Herb Holden of the Center for Nutrition Diet and Health joins the discussion about ways chefs, food marketers, and philanthropists are overcoming food deserts, improving access to nutritious foods, and running food programs for people experiencing food insecurity due to wars and natural disasters, and other circumatances.

 
Tune In
 
 

Student Spotlight

 

Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship Ph.D. Students Present at Architecture, Media, Politics & Society (AMPS) Conference 

Two of UDC's Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship Ph.D. students and their faculty partners presented (virtually) at the June 2022 Architecture, Media, Politics & Society (AMPS) Conference in Calgary, Canada. Eric Harris (expected Ph.D. in 2023) and Dr. Anna Franz presented "Value-Inclusive Design for Socially Equitable Communities"; and Konyka Dunson (expected Ph.D. in 2023) and Dr. Elizabeth Gearin presented "Greened Out: Exploring the understanding and effects of green infrastructure on Washington, DC residents." The work of both teams was well-received, with thoughtful questions and comments. Papers subsequently will be published in AMPS conference proceedings and possibly their Scholarly Journal Architecture MPS.

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Student Success Story: Professional Science Masters (PSM) Student Completes Internship with Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)

Join us in congratulating Janina Jones on her successful industry-level internship at Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRBby viewing the video in which Janina discusses how she spent her summer.


Learn more about our Professional Science Masters (PSM) program.

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What's Trending...

 

See What's Happening in CAUSES!

NEW: UDC ServSafe Food Protection Manager Course on 12/12!

The UDC ServSafe Food Protection Manager Course is recognized by more federal, state, and local jurisdictions than any other food safety certification! This course will help food service managers enforce critical food safety practices in establishments with every meal served.


The UDC ServSafe Food Protection Manager course ensures that you:


  • Protect the public's health and safety in your food service establishment.
  • Understand current food safety policies and procedures.
  • Implement effective employee training programs.
  • Keep your operation in compliance with all applicable public health regulations.
Learn More

Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right: A Nutrition Series for Older Adults—Part 1


This workshop series targets SNAP-eligible older adults living in Washington, D.C., and will address how to create healthy meals on a budget using minimal equipment. This series provides participants with information about healthy eating and food safety, trying new cuisines, time management in the kitchen, and more.


Each workshop includes a cooking demonstration with Chef Herbert Holden. While we hope you will join us for the whole series, we encourage you to register, even if you can only attend a few sessions!

 
Sign-Up!

Please contact Miranda Desmarais at Miranda.Desmarais@udc.edu.

 

Course Instructor:

Tiffany N. Johnson-Largent, Ph.D., RDN, LD


Please contact Dr. Johnson-Largent at

tiffany.johnsonlarge@udc.edu.

Sign-Up!

Back by Popular Demand:

Quick Tips to Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label


This FREE one-hour presentation is designed to provide participants with information and easy tips on reading and understanding nutrition facts labels.


Also, participants will learn what nutrients and ingredients are required on the nutrition facts label by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.


Classes are offered on Thursdays in October, November, and December.

 

For more information, please contact Ariel Verbrugge, Project Assistant, Soilless Systems, at ariel.verbrugge@udc.edu.

Sign-Up!

Soil-Less Workshop Certificate Series Returns


The Urban Agriculture Soil-Less Certificate provides participants a glimpse into the past and a look at current trends in soil-less growing in today’s agricultural world. Participants will dive into the basic needs and choices of system design, material selection, the best options for fish and plants, and the implementation of the first steps. 


This course helps train individuals, through instruction and hands-on experience, to understand the importance of materials, construction, maintenance, and products utilized to create and farm successful hydroponics systems in various ways.


 
 

Announcements

 

Whether you are a recent graduate or a skilled industry professional, we welcome you to share your expertise and skills at CAUSES, as we work to recruit and grow our next generation of talent!


We are committed to building a diverse group of leaders and experts within our organization. We aim to create a culture for professionals to thrive.


Our college provides an opportunity to leverage the power of your degree with real career momentum. We offer web-based, on-the-job training, mentor support, and extensive networking opportunities to help you achieve success.


We invite you to apply for an opportunity best suited for you and your future!

Apply Here
 
 

Staff Spotlight

 

Paul Brown Receives Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Certification 


Food Safety Project Coordinator Paul Brown attended the annual Food Safety Summit Conference and Expo, where he took a two-and-a-half day Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). He passed the exam to receive his certification in HACCP! 

Paul is currently teaching a new free course, UDC ServSafe Food Protection Manager Course. This course is designed for participants to learn food safety for commercial use, in preparation for the national certification exam.

Check It Out!

Dr. Tiffany Johnson-Largent Completes The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) Public Health Essentials Certification


"This program was well-designed and very informative, and I had a great facilitator," says Dr. Johnson-Largent, who passed her exam and received her certificate.

Dr. Johnson-Largent is currently teaching a new free course,  Quick Tips to Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label. This course is designed to provide participants with information and easy tips on reading and understanding what is listed on the nutrition facts label.

Register Here

Caitlin Arlotta, CURES Research Associate, Presents Research at the Ecological Society of America and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution Joint Conference


"Thank you all for your help sending me to the Ecological Society of America and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution Joint Conference. This conference is touted as the world's largest gathering of ecologists, and it did not disappoint. I had a lot of traffic at the two posters I presented. In fact, I was the last one to take my posters down because conversations went over time—and there were 200+ posters during the session! People find our work interesting both for the content and for its impacts & drivers. I made useful connections, including an agricultural scientist with the Connecticut Department of Forestry and Horticulture who was thrilled to see our research as it directly impacts hers, and we have an opportunity to collaborate going forward; as well as a professor from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota who shared his recent research on an urgent topic to DC farmers: urban agriculture fertilizer impacts on waterways. The urban agriculture research we do at UDC has connections and applications to many ecological sectors, and scientists at this conference were eager to build those connections.


This conference was also an opportunity to reach the next generation of researchers, many of whom had not heard of UDC prior but now know the wide range of research we are engaged in and interested in collaborating on. From a first-year Dartmouth Ph.D. student studying the ecological impacts of community gardens to a Ph.D. student in Canada studying the interaction of decaying organic matter with nutrients supplied in fish waste in wild and farmed systems to the water quality programs coordinator for Prince William's County right here in Virginia, students were excited to see how UDC could be a potential collaborator or educational opportunity for them. 


I appreciate your efforts and support, and I look forward to continuing to share UDC CURES research with the scientific community." Caitlin Arlotta, Research Associate


To learn more about the Center for the Urban Research, Engagement, and Scholarship (CURES) visit here.

 
 

CAUSES in the Community

Friendship Day at UDC: Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia visits 4-H Soccer Team

This past July, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Department of Liaison Special Branch, joined us in our 4-H Soccer Program. They were part of our special event day, “Friendship Day.” 


MPDC police officers came to play a friendly match against a selective team from our youth leagues (U15 boys and U19 girls) and coaches. They also spoke to the youth about the importance of youth leadership, good habits, and trusting police officers.


We also provided food for more than 200 people that day.


"Thanks again to the MPDC for your continued support during the winter part of this program at UDC." ~ Diego Lahaye, 4-H Program Associate

Calling All Volunteers: To register as a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Application FormUse this link to create your account in Golden Volunteer, which is CAUSES’ volunteer management system. Golden Volunteer is a fun and simple way to locate and register for volunteer opportunities, as well as to easily log and track your volunteer hours.


If you have questions or would like to schedule a volunteer day for your group, please contact Michele Bassler at michele.bassler@udc.edu.

Demonstrating Resilient Sustainability: UDC Work Crew in the DC Community

Early progress on a produce garden for a local food pantry (Ward 4, Sixth Church Food Closet). Thanks to efforts from four UDC PSM students: from left to right Annabelle Arnold, Jacob Campbell, David Lowe, Lydia Kidane, and Garden Manager, Mike Young. They recently harvested their first zucchinis and provided them to the Sixth Church Food Closet. 

Continuing to Promote Vegetable Intake in Ward 8

By Tiffany N. Johnson-Largent, Ph.D., RDN, LD

This is my third year providing nutrition education on the health benefits of eating vegetables at the Mobile Market outside of the Bellevue Library located at 115 Atlantic Street, SW, Washington, DC 20032, in Ward 8. The weekly Mobile Market is sponsored by Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture (http://arcadiafood.org/) and brings fresh local produce and other food goods (i.e., meats, eggs, honey, yogurt) to sale at the weekly market.  Arcadia offers additional mobile markets throughout the week at other locations throughout the city (http://arcadiafood.org/programs/mobile-market). The yearly mobile market begins in June and ends in November.

Currently, Ward 8 is a food desert, which limits the residents without transportation the ease of purchasing healthy food options, especially fresh produce, in their own community. Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture always brings a variety of produce items (pictured). The Mobile Market is often visited by repeat Ward 8 residents and other local residents who are familiar with the market.

Ms. Nassara and her lovely family (pictured) and Ms. Green (pictured), both UDC Firebirds, frequently visit the market and stop by my table (pictured) to see what new information I may have or to just say hello. I have an assortment of vegetable booklets (e.g., beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, summer squash, and tomatoes), recipe cards (e.g., guacamole, sautĂ©ed kale, sautĂ©ed swiss chard and sautĂ©ed bok choy), give-a-ways (e.g., cutting boards, coloring books, measuring cups, recyclable bags, etc.) and information on UDC-CAUSES academic and land-grant programs that I share with the market attendees who stop by my table. The market attendees may refer to the vegetable booklets later to review the nutrition benefits of healthy eating, storage and preparation tips, recipes, and other helpful information.

The market staff (pictured) are always pleasant and ready to assist the market attendees, especially when they have questions about the various produce items, goods available for sale, or the programs (https://www.freshfarm.org/produceplusoffered at the market. Lydia Hsu, the Market Assistant, and the staff are always willing to help. 


There is still time to visit and purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, and other food goods at the Bellevue Market on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. before it ends in November, but try to come early because the produce goes fast!

 
 

CAUSES Corner

 

UDC Master Gardeners Guide George Washington University Students in Planting 2.5K Seedlings for DC Schools

Last July, students from the World On A Plate class at George Washington University came to UDC to help with the launching of the School Seedling Propagation project during the Fall season.


UDC Master Gardeners guided students in planting 2.5K seedlings that would be ready by the beginning of September to be delivered to the DC schools.

 

Each year, our goal is to have 6K seedlings ready for the schools when the Fall season arrives. This Fall, UDC Master Gardeners, and George Washington University students planted an additional 2.5k seedlings! Last spring, we provided seedlings to a total of 50 schools in the DC area. 

 

RECAP: Educational Day at the Firebird Farm!

Students had a wonderful and educational day at the Firebird Farm! Assistant Farm Assistant Manager, Mike Whyte provided valuable information addressing issues concerning food deserts in Washington, DC.

 
 

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MEET UDC-CAUSES

 

Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). UDC is the only urban land-grant university in the nation. CAUSES was formed in 2010 as the University’s land-grant college.


We engage in applied teaching and research that helps to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of the District of Columbia and others around the world through traditional academic degrees and through non-degree, non-credit bearing, skills-building programs, such as green infrastructure and urban agriculture.


CAUSES is unique in its organizational structure and its mission: an interdisciplinary college where academic programs such as architecture, urban sustainability, health education, nutrition and dietetics, and nursing train a forward-thinking generation of professionals who will ensure that the world has “Healthy Cities–Healthy People.” The College houses the only doctoral-level program in the nation that focuses on urban leadership and entrepreneurship.



For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us at causes@udc.edu.

 

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About the University of the District of Columbia  

As an HBCU, an urban land-grant institution, and the only public university in the nation’s capital, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is committed to a broad mission of education, research, and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University offers Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, along with a host of workforce development and continuing education certifications for student success, professional growth, and economic advancement. The University is comprised of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences; College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business and Public Administration; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; UDC Community College; and the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. To learn more, visit www.udc.edu

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, this information is available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, please complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed letter or form to USDA via fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.