Institute for Applied Agriculture – �鶹��Ƶ

Review of Building Energy Tracking Systems

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:37 +0000

Energy Management Systems (EMS) are a type of software that monitor the energy consumption in buildings. Its purpose is to minimize costs by monitoring energy consumption and optimizing energy use. EMS has become increasingly popular in the past fifteen years and is used primarily by businesses to save money by tracking and reducing energy consumption in their buildings. It can also be used in state and local government facilities to measure the energy consumption. While a few software options are available, each product has unique features. This paper reviews different energy management systems based on their features and functionalities to provide recommendations on the best-fit system for the Anne Arundel County.

Aging in Place in Howard County: A Survey of Older Adults

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:33 +0000

This report is a compilation of original research conducted by students in the course SPGL498G, Pubic Health in the City, during the spring 2016 semester at the University of Maryland College Park. (See Appendix A) Students interviewed older adults in Howard County to determine factors that could impact their ability to age in place. We defined aging in place (AIP) as, â€œthe ability to live in oneâ€s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably regardless of age, income or ability level.â€ (CDC, n.d.) Research has shown that 90% of older adults express a desire to age in place and many characteristics affect their ability to do so, including their financial status, social supports, functional abilities, and access to housing. (Golant, 2008). We sought the answers to the following research questions: What percentage of older adults in Howard County desire to AIP, and how does this vary by age, gender, race/ethnicity?; Can we distinguish between different levels of preference? (generalized preference vs. desire to AIP even with a disability); What are the characteristics of those who wish to AIP?; How do County residents use existing resources such as 50+ Centers?; What is the impact of 50+ Centers on older adultsâ€ well-being? Currently, 10.1% of Howard Countyâ€s population is 65 years of age or older. By the year 2040, it is estimated that this population will more than double, to 22.4%. (Engelberg, 2016) We aimed to both identify barriers and facilitating factors to aging in place in Howard County. Finally, we make recommendations for changes to existing programming or policies that could assist residents who want to age in place.

A Review of Stakeholder Feedback and Indicator Analysis for the Maryland Environmental Justice Screening Tool

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:25 +0000

Background: A wealth of research has shown that communities of color and low-income populations have been disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards and locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) including incinerators, power plants, landfills, and other pollution- intensive facilities. Unfortunately, the State of Maryland has made little progress in constructing tools to assess and address environmental injustice and related health issues. The National Center for Smart Growth has begun developing a new mapping tool for Marylandâ€”Maryland EJSCREENâ€”that highlights the prevalence and frequency of environmental hazards and LULUs and their health risks for nearby populations. Goal: The long-term goal is to use this tool to highlight areas with environmental justice issues and areas that need additional investments. The tool should be used in permitting, regulatory, zoning, and development decisions. Objectives: This projectâ€s objectives are to collect information on environmental, social, economic, exposure, and health indicators that should be included in the Maryland EJSCREEN tool; obtain feedback from stakeholder groups on indicators that should be included in the tool and prioritized; and demonstrate the utility of the EJSCREEN tool. Approach: In collaboration with the Partnership in Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), we performed a literature review of economic, social, environmental, exposure, and health indicators identified as important by several Prince Georgeâ€s County community members and stakeholders in a series of demonstration workshops. Stakeholders included residents from the Port Towns, Environmental Action Council members, the Environmental Justice legislative team, and the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities. Flashcards, posters, and surveys were distributed to community members and stakeholders to gather valued feedback about necessary indicators that were acceptable to be highlighted in Maryland EJSCREEN. Results: We found that the demonstration workshops were effective in soliciting feedback from residents, advocates, health practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholder groups. Importance to Public Health: This tool can be used by local residents to advocate for new policies, better enforcement, and public health improvements. It can also be used by government officials to build healthier, greener, more equitable, and more sustainable communities.

Drainage Solutions

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:20 +0000

The purpose of this document is to provide a drainage plan for the Prince Georgeâ€s County Department of Parks and Recreation that establishes the purpose and reasoning for implementing new drainage technologies that use the most cost-effective treatment options. This report is based on drainage analysis tests performed at two County golf coursesâ€”Paint Branch Golf Complex, a nine-hole, par 33 course and practice facility, and Enterprise Golf Course, an 18-hole facility, par 72 championship course. This report and proposal contains: ï‚· a site analysis of each golf course ï‚· initial findings in our visits ï‚· the analysis and results of two separate soil tests ï‚· a list of the most effective and available drainage options ï‚· the recommended drainage option.

Playing Field Evaluations for M-NCPPC

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:19 +0000

Students in PLSC402 worked with Prince Georgeâ€s County Department of Parks and Recreation to assist the department in improving the maintenance practices on some of their sports fields to provide safe, agronomically sound play areas for county residents and amateur sports teams. Students provided assistance in creating a â€œturf inventoryâ€ on the countyâ€s recreational sports fields and Board of Education fields, which the Department of Parks and Recreation may take over in the near future. While it wasnâ€t feasible within the framework of the class to examine every sports field, PLSC402 â€œSports Turf Managementâ€ students examined and researched three fields, which were representative of other county field conditions and traffic and play patterns. The results of standard sports turf field assessment measurements, including shear strength, surface hardness, bulk density, and volumetric water content, are included in this report. Based on these findings, field visits, and observations agronomic recommendations were developed and included in this report.

Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation Turf Management Program

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:19 +0000

The purpose of this document is to provide an agronomic plan for the Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation that establishes a minimum/recreational level turf grass standard for a variety of activities and that uses the most cost-effective treatment options available. The department maintains 91 multi-purpose fields and 58 baseball and softball diamonds. All of these sites consist of native soil and standard grass (mostly fescue and some bluegrass) playing surfaces. Fields are generally used from 5pm to dark on weekdays and games are played on weekends typically from sun-up to sun-down. Prior data collection indicates fields are used approximately 20-30 hours a week. There are instances where fields are used up to 35 hours a week. The current mowing schedule is a seven-day mowing cycle. Current mowing heights are between 2.5â€ – 3â€ (which can be adjusted) with a rotating cross-cut direction each week. Mowing occurs from early April until early November. Based on the current budget, we recommend maintaining the mowing schedule at once per week and rotating the direction of cut. Currently, the recreation councils are treating their fields with fertilizer treatment, weed inhibitor, seeding and sodding when needed. The goal is to determine the most cost-effective treatment option for these playing surfaces. Equally important is to create a uniform maintenance regime among all fields.

Brandywine Farmer’s Market (Location and Operation)

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:17 +0000

Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Prince George’s County- Department of Parks and Recreation commissioned this report from the universityâ€s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS works with local jurisdictions throughout Maryland to identify projects and problems that can be taught through university courses where students focus on developing innovative, research-based solutions. This project was focused on two teams in developing a strategic communication plan and establishing the Brandywine Farmers Market. This report centers on obtaining research by using communication to accomplish organizational goal of creating the Brandywine Farmers Market and principles/practices of field production of commercial horticultural crops, with emphasis on fruit and vegetable systems for the Brandywine Farmers Market.

Pope Farm Expansion Project

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:14 +0000

The group of students provided recommendations to M-NCPPC Montgomery County Parks by planting diverse types of vegetables and other crops that will benefit the community in growing familiar crops which they will be able to use appropriately and be able to feed their families while considering the harvesting and transportation of these foods to the [...]