Food security is on my mind these days. Hopefully, SNAP funds remain available, lessening but not alleviating challenges for some students and personnel. I know I am not alone in my thoughts and concerns. During my visit to the Somerset County Extension office last week, it was evident that the team was concerned, too. Thanks to Jim Lewis and the entire Somerset office for the warm welcome and the conversation. The visit was a highlight of last week for me! The passion the team has for their work was evident.
I attended my first UMD Board of Trustees meeting last week, providing me with an opportunity to meet several of our trustees. I am eager to share the impactful work of AGNR with this esteemed group of champions for the campus. The FORWARD campaign was the focus of the meeting, with conversation about the importance of storytelling. AGNR has a great story to tell because we don’t need to wonder if we are making a difference, but rather strategize how to make a difference tomorrow. A comment made during the meeting stuck with me, and it was said in the context of urgency and timing. The comment was to focus on ‘big changes to big things’ rather than directing most of our effort on incremental change. Given where we are today, I think it’s the right approach across the breadth of work in AGNR.
Amidst worrying about the state of food support, I can say that I am proud of our team members researching strategies to advance food production while facing adverse conditions including temperature, drought, and salinity. Proud, too, of the members improving food systems to ensure access and navigate the interconnectedness of production with health, economics, and environment. And equally proud of the team that supports all this good work, both directly and through support or companion programs. AGNR has what it takes to make big changes on something as important (big) as food security.