CAUSES In Action | August 2025 Edition | | |
Transformative News in Agriculture and Sustainability | | | |
Grow with Us | Make a Positive Impact in Your Community
UDC-CAUSES' Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE) and Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII) expand their reach by connecting consumers to fresh seasonal produce and goods and promoting healthier lifestyles for D.C. residents. Together, these two centers will lead the newest edition to the College’s roster of farmers' markets at the UDC Community College. The new farmers’ market will be located in the parking lot next to the urban food hub on the Lamond Riggs campus. Come out and enjoy locally grown fruits and vegetables, freshly baked goods, world cuisines, and handcrafted arts and crafts every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more info, contact the Farmers Market Manager Andy Blunk at andrew.blunk@udc.edu or call 202-274-7124. If you are interested in vending at one of our farmers markets, click here to let us know.
📍5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, DC
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Building Healthier Cities: Senior Volunteers, Urban Agriculture & Health Education
Explore impactful stories of community health education and urban sustainability innovation in the next Deep Dive video. Join our College and Community Recruitment and Engagement Specialist, Sidiki Tarawali, and discover how our senior volunteers are transforming communities through decades of dedicated community outreach.
You can also dive in and explore UDC's innovative Green Roof on the Van Ness Campus. The Green Roof is a “green living” classroom combining urban agriculture and environmental education.
This video closes with information about our two exciting new degree programs in community health sciences and nutrition and dietetics.
If you are interested in our two newest academic degree programs or volunteering on the Green Roof, call us at 202-274-7124.
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Green Infrastructure Certification | Free Training | Summer 2025 Cohort | August 18 to September 26, 2025
As part of the UDC Equity Imperative, the UDC-CAUSES Center for Urban Resilience, Innovation and Infrastructure (CURII) established a partnership with DC Water and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in 2016 to train underemployed and unemployed DC residents in green infrastructure, facilitating their entry into the District’s sustainability workforce. The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) is a nationally recognized professional certification in green infrastructure construction, inspection, and maintenance accredited by EnviroCert International, Inc.
Through a grant from DC Water, CURII uses the NGICP, in line with other professional training programs, to train, qualify, and certify eligible participants in the field of green infrastructure. UDC provides the training at no cost to District residents. The training program also includes the OSHA-10 (workplace hazards, safety practices, and compliance), Flagger (safety in temporary traffic control zones), and CBLP-A (Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional - Associate Certificate in Green Infrastructure and Conservation Landscaping) certifications. To register for this program, email brian.rodgers@cswpbc.com.
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Urban Agriculture Citizen Science Project | Why is Participatory Science Important?
Since many D.C. residents lack the space, ability, and time to create a formal, in-ground garden plot, the UDC-CAUSES Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE)’s Urban Agriculture Citizen Science Project provided container food crop production systems, which enabled participants to breed specific crops that could withstand the urban heat to increase vegetable consumption.
CUAGE enlisted several citizen scientists (district residents) to collect crop yield data and develop best management practices for the crop varieties used in the container crop production system. If you are interested in participating in the next project, contact Director Che Axum at 202-495-8990 or mchezaji.axum@udc.edu.
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First Saturday Outing of the Month - DC Program Walk with a Doc: Walk Leader Dr. Phronie Jackson Leads the Way with Dr. Patricia Davidson
Starting at 9 am on the first Saturday, Associate Professor Dr. Phronie Jackson and Physician Dr. Patricia Davidson will lead a walk. Walkers will meet at the National Arboretum (3501 New York Ave, NE) in front of the Visitor Center, close to the R Street entrance.
To learn more about these outings, contact us at 202-274-7124 or email causes@udc.edu.
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ECUF Farmers Market – Saturday, August 9 and August 23
Join us for the last two East Capital Urban Farm Farmers Markets for the 2025 season. Support our local community farmers and take home fresh, farm-to-table goods in the district. Along with these vendors, UDC-CAUSES will continue to promote sustainable and environmental stewardship. Marketers can purchase locally grown produce and handcrafted goods from 10 am to 3 pm and pet a horse at the farm. All ages are welcome to ride the horse for FREE. Vendors accept Produce Plus, credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Senior Benefits, and WIC.
📍 5929 East Capitol Street, Washington, DC
🗓️ Final Day: August 23rd
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Adjunct Professor Tamim Younos Receives the American Water Resources Association’s 2025 Mary H. Marsh Medal
Acclaimed award recipient, Dr. Younos, exemplifies a roster of achievements and milestones related to water policies, best water management practices, and global water resource programs. This water scientist remains committed to investing in a sustainable water ecosystem. Dr. Younos’ exemplary contributions to the protection and use of the nation’s water resources represent scholarly excellence. Congratulations to Dr. Younos!
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Wildlife Survey | August 19 | 6 pm - 8 pm
Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, a Project Specialist in Urban Ecology, invites you to join her at the East Capital Urban Farm (ECUF) on Tuesday, August 19th to survey wildlife. Surveyors will identify pests and beneficial species present at the farm. The data collected will support the College's efforts to develop management plans to repel harmful species and attract beneficial ones and strengthen our faculty experts’ research initiatives focused on urban farms.
If you are unable to attend the event, click here to study wildlife and document your findings at ECUF on your own. Your responses will be valuable to our College and the District!
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Building an Urban Farming Business Information Session at East Capital Urban Farm (ECUF)
UDC-CAUSES believes thriving communities start with connections to experiences. Join us at East Capitol Urban Farm (ECUF) on August 19 from 6 pm - 8 pm for our info session.
Attendees will learn how to grow their urban farming business. ECUF and Sustainable Chesapeake will deliver valuable insights, farm demonstrations, and financial resources to jumpstart or elevate current farming businesses. For more event info, email CAUSES@udc.edu or call 202-274-7124.
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Seniors Do Work Out
The BODYWISE Program is specifically designed and operated to promote health, wellness, and fitness for people 60 or older in the District of Columbia. Participants can achieve increased cardiovascular efficiency, muscular strength, flexibility, and overall life satisfaction. They also can access health and preventive knowledge.
The BODYWISE Program consists of water aerobics (swimming is not required), yoga, low-impact aerobics, and chair exercise classes. Classes are conducted by certified instructors. Participants are encouraged to exercise at their personal level of fitness. The program also provides great opportunities for socializing.
If interested, check out the upcoming schedule for BODYWISE classes throughout Washington, D.C., and apply to the program here.
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Your participation is essential to UDC-CAUSES' mission. You can help us continue developing innovative solutions for the world's future through support of our urban food hubs, research efforts, urban farming and youth development activities, community events, and more.
Your contribution supports the college's research-based and community outreach programs that improve the quality of life and economic opportunity of people and communities in DC, and beyond.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a volunteer day for your organization, contact Michele Bassler at michele.bassler@udc.edu.
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UDC's Foundation is committed to supporting future generations. We strive to give students the resources necessary to achieve success, and your contributions help UDC-CAUSES arm its students with the skills and knowledge to face global challenges, create solutions to community and global issues, and meet industries' talent demands.
Your support is needed to advance the University's research and continue our academic excellence and innovation legacy.
Create a legacy of giving and leave a positive and enduring impact on the lives of these deserving students. Your generosity will open doors to education and empower the next generation to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
| | | | Stay Informed! Check out our upcoming community-based programs. | | | | |
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Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). UDC-CAUSES was formed in 2010 as the University’s land-grant college.
We engage in applied teaching and research that helps to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents of the District of Columbia and others around the world through traditional academic degrees and through non-degree, non-credit bearing, skills-building programs, such as green infrastructure and urban agriculture.
UDC-CAUSES is unique in its organizational structure and its mission: an interdisciplinary college where academic programs such as architecture, urban sustainability, health education, nutrition and dietetics, and nursing train a forward-thinking generation of professionals who will ensure that the world has “Healthy Cities–Healthy People.” The College houses the only doctoral-level program in the nation that focuses on urban leadership and entrepreneurship.
For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us at causes@udc.edu.
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About the University of the District of Columbia
As an HBCU, an urban land-grant institution, and the only public university in the nation’s capital, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is committed to a broad mission of education, research, and community service. With foundational history established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University offers Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctor of Law (JD), and Doctorate degrees, along with a host of workforce development and continuing education, certifications for student success, professional growth, and economic advancement. The University is comprised of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences; College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business and Public Administration; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; UDC Community College; and the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. To learn more, visit www.udc.edu.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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