D2_Agraria_Journal_21_OPT

Foster. The study area borders Jacoby Creek and will provide important baseline data for exploring changes in pollinator diversity as a result of the TNC restoration project. The TNC restoration of Jacoby Creek also figures in another research project that has yet to begin: a study to investigate the potential for harvesting mycorrhizal fungi to improve tree seedling growth and survival. The TNC provided funding to Rua Lab at Wright State University to conduct this research. Other collaborations with Wright State researchers that have been explored include ornithology field work and feeding of coyotes within anthropogenic environments. We have served as a research site for a number of student projects in the University of Dayton School of Engineering. The two projects this year focused on soil and crop health. The goal of one student team was to develop a soil monitoring product that could be used by small-scale farms to collect samples and analyze them for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH levels. The aim of the other project team was to design a device for monitoring crop health and detecting disease in plants at an early stage in their development. Both teams presented their final designs during a presentation in April. INTERNSHIPS Agraria has served as a site for student internships since its founding, benefiting both the student interns as well as our organization. Since 2020, we have hosted seven Antioch College students in The Miller Fellowship Program administered by the Yellow Springs Community Foundation. The program offers paid internships for students to work in area non-profits. Our Miller Fellows have helped develop and manage our website, amplify our social media presence, coordinate events and programming, create GIS mapping, and have worked on a variety of projects with our land team, among other things. In short, they have played a major role in helping Agraria grow and develop. This summer we are hosting Ohio State University student Abigal Titzer, who will be working with our social media team to expand our outreach. UD students on site include Kate Kizer, an engineering student who is designing a water catchment system for the barn, and Josie Weitz, who is assisting the education team. Earlham student Aza Hurwitz of Yellow Springs is assisting the education and the land teams. Ohio University graduate Alberta Dempsey is on staff as an intern with the sweet potato research project. PHYSICAL PLANT IMPROVEMENTS We continue to upgrade our 113-year-old bank barn with the goal of housing a welcome center, event space, and farm store. Also planned for the barn are electrical upgrades, a cement floor in the basement donated by CEMEX, and new front doors. The barn, house, and offices received a new paint job and beautiful new red roofs this spring. A grant from Friends of the Ohio Barns will allow us to begin developing interpretive signage for the barn’s welcome center. The signs will depict the history of the barn as well as other aspects of agriculture in Ohio. BOB HUSTON AGRARIA JOURNAL 2021 45