Cai Diggs

 

I am Cai Diggs, a student at the University of Maryland majoring in environmental science and

technology with a focus in ecological technology design. I have several career goals relating to

agriculture and natural resources. Firstly, I plan to be involved in the implementation of

sustainable food systems in urban areas. This can include aquaponics, vertical farms,

hydroponics, and more. I want to largely be focused on the technological and design aspect of

these systems, working to optimize the efficiency of agricultural processes in urban areas.

Secondly, I wish to be involved in the development of sustainable food infrastructure in urban

areas. This can include rooftop gardens and food living walls, areas which serve the purpose of

providing the typical benefits of green walls and green spaces but also providing fresh produce

to local populations.

For this internship I will be spending a large amount of time with Dr. Izursa, an extension

aquaponic program sponsor, at the University of Maryland. I will also work with Neith Little at the

Baltimore County Extension Office. This summer will be big on outreach and visiting farmers in

Baltimore County that are interested in adopting an aquaponic system. These farm

demonstrations will consist of tutorials on how to set up and manage an aquaponics system. At

the University of Maryland, I will be participating in research that will help fish cultivators and

aquaponics farmers. One major aspect of the research will be harvesting black soldier fly larvae

as a potential source for fish feed.

University of Maryland Extension is often considered the bridge between research and farmers.

As an intern for a Baltimore county extension agent, it is fitting for me to be participating in

research and also spreading the knowledge to farmers, helping them understand the new

science going on regarding sustainable agriculture.

This is a picture of me taking a picture with the HANNA probe. Hadiya, a lab manager, helped me with this process. This probe takes readings so that we know if the water quality is suitable for the fish in the tank as well as the plants and bacteria.

This is a picture of the functioning aquaponics system taken in the greenhouse. Me, Levin, Masha, and Dr. Izursa were involved in the process of setting it up.  This aquaponics system grows lettuce and basil and houses goldfish which provide the nutrients to fertilize the plants

This experience overall will perfectly fit with my education, life, and future. As previously

mentioned, I am an ENST: Ecological Technology Design major so I am really interested in

technologies that are considered to be sustainable. Aquaponics is a perfect example of a

sustainable technology and it is suitable for me that I am studying it this summer. This will fit into

my life because this summer I was looking to find more hands-on agricultural experience and to

be working from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. This fits into my future because sustainable technologies

will be a big part of my future education, career, and life. This will give me the necessary

experience to succeed in this field and make sustainable agriculture a bigger part of my life.

This is a shot taken in the aquaponics lab of me drilling holes into the floating raft of the deep water aquaponics system. Levin, the greenhouse manager, helped me with this process. This is for the aquaponics systems in the greenhouse so it can support the plants that will be growing in the deep water culture systems.