2005 Compact Plan Committee:
Janis Boettinger (Chair), Lawrence Hipps, Dan Drost, Lynn Dudley,
Jan Kotuby, John Carman, Bill Varga, and Rob Gillies
Circulated for Review by the Faculty March 8, 2005
Submitted March 15, 2005
PSB Initiatives for 2005:
#1: Developing an Organic Agriculture Program at USU
#2: Establishing USU as the Environmental University
#3: Integrating Resources in Climatology and Biometeorology via the Utah Climate Center
#4: Fostering Sustainable Landscape Horticulture and Design in Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology
PSB Initiative #1: Developing an Organic Agriculture Program at USU
Utah agriculture faces difficult challenges with exponential population growth and rapid urbanization, resulting in the loss of agricultural land and family farms and ranches. However, Utah’s increasingly educated, diverse urbanized population can help cultivate and support a unique niche for Utah agriculture: Organic Agriculture. The Department of Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology; the College of Agriculture; and USU are well positioned to develop a program in Organic Agriculture that will ultimately include academic, research, and outreach programs. With no similar programs in Utah or the Intermountain West, USU can establish itself as the leader in connecting the urban Westerner to the land via organic agriculture.
Our first goal is to work toward the development of a B.S. degree program in Organic Agriculture. Our specific objectives for the coming year are:
1) Create new course “Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture”. Course content includes research, history, definitions, requirements, and transitioning of thoughts and farms to organic crop production. Examples from crops, horticulture, soils, animal science, and pest management will be used to introduce students to organic agriculture. We plan to complete the EPC course approval process for this new 3-credit Plant Science course to be taught in Spring 2006. A team approach is required to cover the vastly different subject matters covered during the semester. Colleagues from Biology, ADVS, ASTE, and PSB are already working on the course development. We plan to seek codicils with these units to demonstrate cooperation and collaboration .
2) Create the USU Student Organic Farm. We plan to develop mission statements, goals, identify potential locations, and seek funding for a student-operated, managed, and designed organic teaching and research farm. The overall goal is to engage students in the discovery, development, and demonstration of the diversity of ideas, practices, and science involved in organic agriculture. This objective requires land close to campus, a farm manager, faculty support, and facilities. We plan to identify potential land areas, seek funding through the CURI grants, and write a mission statement .
3) Compose the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in Organic Agriculture. We are in the process of developing an entire science-based curriculum and plan to seek cooperation from other units that would provide courses required in the professional core .
Our second goal is to market the new program in Organic Agriculture. Our specific goals for the coming year are:
4) Organize an Organic Agriculture Conference. A 1.5 day conference and field tours exploring Organic Agricultural opportunities and practices within Utah. We intend to hold the conference at USU in Fall of 2005. We are seeking support from Rodale Institute (PA) and possible self-funding from registration fee. Some initial planning support is needed from Extension, College of Agriculture, UAES, others .
5) Facilitate innovative learning, discovery, and engagement opportunities related to Organic Agriculture. There are collaborative opportunities for research related to Organic Agriculture within and between the departments interacting to form the new course. The location for much of this research can be the new Organic Student Farm. Research opportunities would be available for both undergraduate and graduate students. The farm would also facilitate outreach, serving as the location for field days and demonstrations. We are planning to create a web site to promote the course and farm, and to highlight new research and demonstration opportunities. In the longer term, we plan to seek funding from the Graduate School, USDA-CSREES, WSARE, Utah Organic Agriculture Industries, and others.
6) Begin marketing the Organic Agriculture Program in the contexts of
a. USU as the Environmental University
b. Utah Botanical Garden
We plan to seek codicils for partnering opportunities.
7) Begin building a comprehensive campaign to support the Organic Agriculture program: Organic Agriculture – Local, sustainable, and necessary! We plan to develop proposals for submission to federal funding agencies .
Needs: To accomplish this initiative we need
• One-time funding for
o Securing land USU Student Organic Farm on portion of Greenville Farm
o Establishing organic tunnel houses (submitted proposal for CURI grant by Dan Drost; pending )
• New Faculty Position: An Organic Agriculturalist/Agroecologist is needed to provide leadership and support to comprehensive, collaborative programs within and across departments within the university. This scientist should develop and implement a research program with a focus on plant nutrition and soil fertility; use of compost, crop rotations, or other related technologies; evaluation of new crops and cropping systems; alternative pest management strategies; or other related systems approaches to organic production .
Meeting University goals: Development of a new Organic Agriculture Program will:
• Enhance the University’s reputation for learning, discovery and engagement (Goal #1)
• Strengthen the recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement of students (Goal #4)
• Build a socially and intellectually vibrant campus community, enhanced by the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students (Goal #6)
• Infuse new energy into graduate programs (Goal #7)
• Foster new partnerships, both internally and externally.(Goal #8)
• Communicate the success of the University to the world (Goal #9)
• Launch comprehensive campaign in support of the other goals (Goal #10)
PSB Initiative #2: Establishing USU as the Environmental University
In 2003, former President Kermit Hall declared that Utah State University would become the Environmental University. A subsequent task force suggested a suite of goals required for USU, which were detailed in their report “AggiEcology: USU Thinks Green” -- http://extension.usu.edu/vicepresident/files/AgEnviroReport.pdf. These included reducing fossil fuel dependence and waste of water and other materials, purchasing sustainably produced foods, and promoting ecological literacy, alternatives to car-based transit, “green buildings, and research on sustainability.
However, connections with academic and research programs at USU have not been addressed. USU already has strong undergraduate and graduate programs in various aspects of environmental science. This initiative proposes that this wide collection of teaching and research activities could start to view themselves as connected to each other and to the vision of an Environmental University. Then, this new shared identity can be marketed to the outside world, and benefit all of the current programs.
Utah State University has a good representation of research and teaching programs in various physical and biological sciences that have direct and indirect connections to the "environment" of our planet. However, these resources are greatly diffused across the campus and are compartmentalized. By each group presenting ourselves in such a fragmented fashion, we lose the opportunity to be seen by students as a unique collection of resources that offer special opportunities to study environmental sciences. In addition, it does not foster innovative change towards integration of the various curricula in the sciences. We individually compete for a relatively small number of good students who have expressed interest in USU. Prospective students currently see only a fragmented system of various majors available in different colleges (Agriculture, Natural Resources, Engineering, and Science).
Imagine a different scenario where students viewed a collection of programs at USU as related parts of a larger story -- that is the environment of this planet, how it works, the various aspects of science that define the environment, and how they interact. In this case, a student sees the equivalent of various features that are part of and define a landscape. Interest in one or more of the programs is far more likely in such a case. This is not our present situation.
We can decide to organize ourselves and make a strong case that Utah State University provides unique opportunities to study environmental science at virtually any dimension. Why? Because we have a set of programs that can each stand alone, but will have developed structures that foster integrative education that will transcend traditional approaches. We hypothesize that this would attract more students, and serve the needs of future students in these areas, leading to greater student satisfaction and higher retention and graduation rates. We further hypothesize that this will seed graduate education and research programs with students able to conduct cutting edge research, leading to higher undergraduate placement and graduate recruitment rates. Therefore, all the environmental science undergraduate and graduate programs at Utah State University would benefit.
We propose a collaborative effort at establishing Utah State University’s identity as The Environmental University. Departments and colleges can choose to participate in the creation of a new and shared identity, and project this to the public via an aggressive marketing program. Current academic and research units should enter this enterprise as equal partners. Our first objective under this initiative is to develop a collaborative effort in marketing environmental science degree programs across the campus. In 2005, our principle task will be to create codicils among the Colleges of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Science, and Engineering. A key element in the development of a marketing program will be a survey of professional organizations and creation of a codicil with Career Services to identify employment opportunities for USU environmental science majors . In the future, funds will be requested from participating colleges and from central administration to develop literature and a website that can be used to publicize environmental science offerings at Utah State University. One key target market would be high schools along the Wasatch Front.
We propose to develop a collaborative student advising effort for degree programs connected to environmental science. Departments and colleges that wish to participate in a coordinated advising program would interact as equal partners. Our second objective under this initiative is to make it easier for students within the University to discover majors that are related to environmental science, whether they lie within physical science, life science, social science, or engineering. Advisors need to be selected or trained at the University Advising and Transfer Services, within participating programs, and at Career Services to be made aware of all such majors and have materials with requirements for those majors on hand. In 2005, our principle task will be to create codicils among COA, CNR, COS, COE, and advising centers and programs at USU. In the future, we will distribute materials and coordinate advisor training activities. Ultimately, we will work towards streamlining the accounting of undergraduate environmental science majors to maximize overall recruitment and retention efforts while minimizing competition between units for a limited number of majors.
Future objectives could be expanded to linking undergraduate programs to teaching, outreach, research, and graduate programs in environmental science at USU. One major objective would be to create and maintain a website accessible from the Main USU page . We also propose to establish environmental monitoring laboratories on campus to involve students in the collection and interpretation of real environmental data essential for strategic initiatives such as the National Environmental Observatory Network (NEON ).
Needs: None in 2005. In 2006, funds will be requested for design and publication of brochures and website design and maintenance.
Meeting University Goals: Establishing USU as the Environmental University will:
• Enhance the University’s reputation for learning, discovery and engagement (Goal #1)
• Strengthen the recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement of students (Goal #4)
• Infuse new energy into graduate programs (Goal #7)
• Foster new partnerships, both internally and externally (Goal #8)
• Communicate the success of the University to the world (Goal #9)
PSB Initiative #3: Integrating Resources in Climatology and Biometeorology via the Utah Climate Center
Significant new benefits would be realized by integrating our resources and programs in climatology and biometeorology at USU via the Utah Climate Center. We propose to develop a web-based information system that integrates access to global climate data, real-time weather data and products, and research activities. The system would allow users to obtain climate data online, display current weather observations at USU, examine research activities in climate and biometeorology in PSB, and access very detailed weather information and forecasts. The system could also include models for current and future values of processes such as evapotranspiration of certain surfaces. This initiative would enhance the visibility of the meteorology/climatology resources at USU, and promote more interdisciplinary interactions to address current environmental issues.
In 2005, planning is underway to hire a new scientist to direct the Utah Climate Center, and global climate and real-time weather data will be available on-line. With additional resources, a weather station can be installed, public displays can be created, and wireless connections to the internet could make real-time weather data at USU available to the public on the PSB website. Additional work on programming and website development would complete the integration .
The proposed activities will integrate well with the contemporary role of the new director who will pursue modern and innovative approaches to synthesizing climate information, and research cutting-edge climate issues.
Needs:
• One-time funding is needed for:
o Installing a weather station on grounds near the Agricultural Sciences Building, with a public display marquis showing weather observations.
o Wireless connection to the internet so that this real time weather information is displayed along with weather charts from the UNIDATA system. All this would be displayed as part of the new Biometeorology section of the PSB web page. The USU page will have a weather sign that points to this page .
• Long-term, continued funding of the entire climate center ($300k per year approved by the legislature) is needed .
• New Faculty Position: A new scientist is needed to help integrate the land-atmosphere expertise, and weather and climate resources of the new climate center. Additional faculty in climatology/biometeorology would play a key role in major strategic initiatives such as IGERT, NEON, and CUAHSI. As the Utah Climate Center is legislatively mandated to support the multiple facets of the Utah economy dependent on climatic data, this new faculty position could be created by investment from the USU and U of U Economic Development Initiative in the Water, Watershed, Climate and Weather program .
Meeting University Goals: Integrating Resources in Climatology and Biometeorology would meet the following goals:
• Enhance the University’s reputation for learning, discovery and engagement (Goal #1)
• Strengthen the recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement of students (Goal #4)
• Infuse new energy into graduate programs (Goal #7)
• Foster new partnerships, both internally and externally (Goal #8)
• Communicate the success of the University to the world (Goal #9)
PSB Initiative #4: Fostering Sustainable Landscape Horticulture and Design in Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology
Utah is becoming an increasingly urbanized state in the midst of some of the most diverse and beautiful geographic and environmental diversity in the world. Unfortunately, the juxtaposition of our urban world onto this geography has often been a one-size fits all approach that finds us often in opposition with our environment rather than in concert with it. The Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology Department is positioned to have a positive impact on our quality of life through proper stewardship of our landscaped environments. To have an impact, we propose the following goals:
• Promote the Utah Botanical Center (UBC). The mission of the UBC is to foster research, education, and extension in sustainable landscape design and management. Situated ideally along the I-15 corridor in Kaysville, the UBC provides an unparalleled opportunity for the department to showcase innovative ideas and solutions to environmental problems based on research. Goals in conjunction with the UBC include:
o Clearly establish PSB as the academic home for UBC personnel. This academic linkage would allow the department to be involved in the UBC development campaign and consider UBC needs when prioritizing new faculty positions. The department stands to gain significantly through UBC support of educational, research, and extension programs.
o Creating a home for the off-campus horticulture program with classrooms and educational gardens and landscaping. Work on this goal has already begun and is fostered by PSB support of UBC development initiatives that will result in improved classroom facilities .
o Fostering a common nexus for all Master Gardener programs within the state. This will be accomplished by reallocating Debbie Amundsen’s position to 100% extension located at the UBC. As part of this assignment, Debbie will continue her 20% assignment as state-wide Master Gardener Coordinator .
o Creating an off-campus venue for soil science programs and the USU Analytical Lab. With the recent hiring of a new Extension Soils Specialist, we will be moving forward to create a more visible presence of our soil scientists and the USU-AL by providing educational programs in conjunction with UBC activities and through making resources (such as soil sample kits) available at the UBC .
o Further research collaboration between the UBC and PSB. The UBC is currently funding a number of graduate students in the department who are conducting research complimentary to their goals. Many faculty members are also doing research at the UBC. The UBC has recently formalized a collaborative agreement with the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping within PSB to oversee their formal research program .
• Develop an emphasis in Residential Landscape Design within the horticulture degree program. There is currently a need for landscape horticulturists trained as designers who can assist consumers in developing environmentally appropriate landscapes. We will develop a codicil with the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Department to jointly provide courses and a stop-out for students who do not matriculate in their limited enrollment architecture program . We will also engage the teaching services of David Anderson, MLA, Associate Director of the UBC to help teach these courses within PSB .
• Construct a College of Agriculture pocket-park at the Young Teaching Greenhouse facility. Space is available for students to practice their skills in the development of a new park that would be available for education and for recreation. This project will be in collaboration with the ASTE Department and the College of Agriculture and appropriate codicils are being developed .
• Promote the Masters of Professional Studies in Horticulture program. This ground-breaking departmental program is currently focused on professional Master’s degrees in landscape water management, with the goal of training individuals who will work with cities, water districts, states, and other organizations to foster water conservation. The program has demonstrated its viability and is in need of more diversified instruction to strengthen its academic base. We will explore the potential of reallocation or addition of teaching FTEs to enhance this program .
Needs:
• The PSB department needs additional teaching support in horticulture to facilitate the development of a new landscape design program, diversify instruction in the MPSH program, and support off-campus instruction at the UBC. We need funds for at least a partial faculty FTE to accomplish this goal.
• One-time funding is needed to support development of a new pocket park both as a teaching tool and a true application of the environmental university to our local environment.
• Improved teaching facilities are needed at the UBC to truly create a home for the off-campus horticulture program. University and Extension support to enhance the quality of instruction through one-time investment in technology enhanced classrooms is required.
Meeting University Goals: Promoting environmental aesthetics through the department will:
• Enhance the University’s reputation for learning, discovery and engagement (Goal #1)
• Strengthen recruitment, retention, graduation and placement of students (both on- and off-campus) (Goal #4)
• Infuse new energy into graduate programs (Goal #7)
• Foster new partnerships, both internally and externally (Goal #8)
• Communicate the success of the University to the world (Goal #9)
• Add to the comprehensive campaign and diversify revenues to the university (Goals #2 & 10)