Deborah Lakowicz-Dramby BS in English, Towson University, 2005 Sustainable Agriculture Certificate, May 2012 Institute of Applied Agriculture AGNR Alumni Award Recipient: Outstanding Graduating Student, Two-Year Program Current Employment: Eco-Goats, a division of Sustainable Resource Management, Inc.

“Utilizing vacant space to promote preservation, environmental education and management, and local food” A student teaching and community garden demonstrating sustainable agriculture and environmental best practices in support of public, environmental and community health. Exemplify the values of environmental stewardship, agricultural sustainability, physical activity, balanced diets, and environmental health Serve as a living classroom where faculty, staff, and students can engage in experiential education on issues directly related to agriculture and community, public, and environmental health Become a central meeting point and community building tool for the School of Public Health and the UMD community

Before…

After!

Design & Logistics The steepest slope on the site as shown on our campus mapping is in excess of 60%, or 1 foot of vertical change per 1.7 feet of horizontal surface.  The slope of the patio varies, but we designed it to be universally accessible or not to exceed 2% slope (ADA requirement for accessibility).  Best guess for completion date for the rain garden is Fall 2012 (Confirming that date now, will let you know if it is different).  The patio at the top of the site was designed to allow water that is on the site during a rain event to be held there until after the rain event to naturally recharge the soil and groundwater. Therefore reducing stormwater runoff from the site. Other benefits include capturing sediment and other harmful runoff materials, keeping them from running in to natural water systems. The gravel basin which is used to hold the storm water underneath the pavers has a capacity, and when it is reached we have pipes that divert the overflow water out onto the hillside. This is the water that we can use to fill an external cistern for irrigation located near the top of the slope. The grade change is high enough between the overflow water storage tank and the bottom of the slope that we can irrigate from gravity alone, and not use water pumps. More on permeable paver technology at EPA site http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/stormwater/pavers.htm

Support and Funding We’ve received donations/funding from: Graduate Student Government University of Maryland Sustainability Fund Virginia Berry Farm America the Beautiful Fund Behnke Nurseries Freedom Tree Farms Beltway Plaza Hardware Potomac Valley Brick Office of Sustainability Grant Funding – IAA and RT grant Design from previous slide from Dennis Nola’s Landscape Architect class Inter-departmental support and collaboration Dedicated students: Al, Bobby, RT, RRG, etc IMMENSE SUPPORT FROM FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Engaged Learning Community PGMS Biorention area Honors fraternity arbor building Community outreach to master gardeners – educational workshops including Grow It Eat It Jon Traunfeld and Salad Tables Weekly (sometimes biweekly) community work ours **talk about the ongoing conversations about conversation**

Follow Our Journey www.publichealthgarden.blogspot.com Closing www.publichealthgarden.blogspot.com Link to video: http://youtu.be/VVrlW7thkqw