I’ve been thinking about AGNR’s global influence, through our research, Extension, and students. It is timely that I recently learned about a former student, Gabriel Acevedo (ENST '24) and the waste management education that he has initiated as a member of the Peace Corps in Paraguay, helping students and teachers think about where their trash goes and how they can reduce it. Gabriel says, “To offer real solutions, I’ve introduced ideas like building eco benches made from recycled materials and starting composting projects as alternatives to trash burning, which is common in some areas. Through all these activities, I’ve been focused on getting people—especially kids—excited about protecting their environment and taking small but meaningful steps toward sustainability”.
While attending the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) meeting last week, Virginia Tech was awarded the APLU International Impact Award for their work that engages over 65 faculty across the campus to create high impact student experiences. We, too, seek similar outcomes and are expanding program offerings to places around the world. New programs will launch in Brazil for the first time this spring and another effort is developing in Argentina. These programs will compliment already established programs in places including, but not limited to, New Zealand and Vietnam. While at the conference, I connected with a former co-instructor for a course focused on the nexus of food security and climate change using Vietnam as a case study. My colleague indicated interest in partnering across our respective institutions to offer a joint program. We continue to expand our research collaborations across the world as part of our commitment to continuous improvement and improving lives everywhere.
The Virginia Tech provost received the award on behalf of the campus and commented that we are in a time when it is challenging to engage globally, but never more important to do so. I couldn’t agree more. While state and federal dollars are critical to public university support, it is essential to prepare the next generation of global citizens and work at the forefront of innovation on a global scale. We have as much to gain as we have to give. In 2023, for the first time the US imported more agricultural products than it exported. The same was true in 2024 and no doubt 2025. I was surprised to learn that Guyana is the only country in the world that is self-sufficient in food supply. I am hopeful that, if necessary, we can rise to this challenge. A change in priorities would be in order.
A highlight of the ceremony was seeing former UMD president and chancellor William (Brit) Kirwan win the APLU Lifetime Achievement Award followed by a chance to congratulate him while we waited for the train back to Maryland. And now, it seems that winter has backed off a bit. The colder weather made for a nice opportunity to see the Northern Lights but I will take ‘sweater weather’ just a little longer.