Laura MacTaggart Directed Study

Interpersonal Skills

When I originally outlined my learning objectives for the summer, I did not intend to focus my energy on improving my interpersonal skills- after all, surely my previous work and team experience from volleyball developed those skills enough? However, I have been surprised by what I have learned here in Agassiz and it will prove to be very useful to me when I return to school, volleyball and for my future jobs. What I have learned has to do with hard work. Perhaps being around elite athletes and UBC students gave me reason to take hard workers for granted and maybe I even thought that I was a hard worker too. My supervisor Meg works at a fast pace, is ambitious and no one would call her a slouch- I think that her and I make a pretty good team. We had an experience where a new summer student came to work with us for a few days to help us with some physical labor. I was astonished to see the work ethic he had! Upon one of our early chats, he boasted of how he considered himself to be lazy and didn’t work very hard- this was made all too obvious to us when we put him to work. When I saw how bad this student looked when he was lazy and when I heard how other staff members talked about him, it made me realize how your coworkers really do pay attention to you and they remember your work ethic whether it’s lazy or hardworking. A positive example was after our Open House on July 16th, full-time staff recognized and appreciated all the students who had put in time and work to volunteer at the event. Learning that hard work does not go unnoticed has made me motivated to do even more at work because I know that people will appreciate it.

In my learning objectives, I outlined my desire to improve;

• Working alone in various situations while maintaining focus. Also, the student will need to be able to identify hazards of their working environment (if any) and prepare accordingly.
• Maximize my learning by asking questions to my supervisor and other staff.
• Punctuality on a day-to-day basis so that daily check-in with the supervisor can begin on time and respect the needs of the supervisor.
• Participating in work related team building activities to contribute to the sense of community at the research center.

I definitely noticed the relevance of these points throughout the summer and I worked hard to improve on my weaknesses. Firstly, there were many afternoons, days or even entire weeks when I would be working alone so setting my own schedule and maintaining focus were important to get my work done. Furthermore, I found that paying attention to hazards such as wildlife and mechanical issues while alone were much more important to stay safe. Next, I’m extremely confident that I did a good job of asking questions to Meg, technicians, the mechanics and the scientists to help me increase my general knowledge and to improve my ability to complete my daily work. At the end of the summer, I conducted a short set of interviews with some of the scientists and technicians to learn more about what they do. Improving my punctuality was something I had to constantly focus on and strive to improve as there are always distractions which could make me late from breakfast, coffee break or lunch time. I noticed that Meg was sensitive to me arriving late as she hardly takes a break so I worked to improve this over the summer. Lastly, I can definitely say that I participated in staff activities not only because it builds moral or because it looks good to my boss, but because it was fun! There were staff wiffle ball and soccer games and I helped at staff lunches and I organized the kids zone at the Open House in July. Furthermore, there were after hours student events such as badminton, camping and karaoke that I faithfully attended. These various activities allowed me to get to know staff and students so much better.

Skills and Traits to Improve on

Listed below are the skills and traits to improve on that are outlined in my learning objectives and how I worked to improve them;

• My ability to focus and stay on task when working alone. There were many days when Meg would leave me to work completely alone while she took summer holidays or had to attend appointments. I found that without someone to talk with and to motivate me, I got lonely and it could be hard to stay focused. I found I’d be tempted to stay longer at breaks or to check my phone more frequently to get the human attention I craved. I found that breaking up my jobs so that I wouldn’t be doing the same task for many hours really helped me to stay interested and motivated to work. Also, I could sometimes play some music so that I would have something to keep me mind stimulated as I would when I have a companion to work beside.
• Punctuality on a day-to-day basis. While I never became perfect on punctuality, I worked hard to be on time throughout the summer. I would set my morning alarm a bit earlier so I would arrive at work on time and during breaks, I’d do a better job of checking the time and leaving a few minutes early just in case someone stopped me on the way back out to the field. 
• Thoroughness in more complex duties. There were some tasks that Meg and I did which required a more meticulous and focused work method such as working with chemicals, fungicides and when trimming some very sensitive bushes. I found the most helpful tool to stay focused and not get frustrated or anxious to finish was to stay patient and take quick breaks when I felt like I was in a state which could lead to me making mistakes. 

Blog Wrap up

When I think about the summer I have had in Agassiz working at the Research and Development Center, I am filled with emotions and nostalgia kicks in. Firstly, working at the Research Center and living at the UBC Dairy Farm has taught me so much technical skills about greenhouse crops, horticulture, berry breeding, animal welfare, animal reproduction and groundskeeping. I can’t begin to explain all of the technical skills I have gained and how well they will serve me in the future. I’m very proud to be able to better handle machinery as that was an area I knew very little about at the beginning of the summer. I absolutely loved living in the town of Agassiz because it is so beautiful and there is so much to do! Nearby, there are campsites, mountains, hikes, bird watching hotspots and tourist areas. Lastly, The friends that I made at work and the UBC Dairy farm are unlike any others that I have met and I have never had a summer where I felt as wholly satisfied as this summer. I was very sad to return to Vancouver because I didn’t want my experience to end- in fact I cried the day that I moved out. But I realize that I am so lucky to have something that is so hard to lose and to leave behind.

Here are some of my favorite memories from the summer:

 

Planting flowers on a clear day in spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the Cloverdale Rodeo on May long weekend

 

 

 

 

 

Exploring Sasquatch Provincial Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the Othello Tunnels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridal Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serving my boss Meg a surprise- a dead squirrel squished between two flower potts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting Wells Gray Provincial Park on the August long weekend

 

 

 

Enjoying the sun with Shaan and Molly- coworkers from Ag Canada who attend UBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helping an injured pigeon in the UBC Heifer barn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing to spray weeds while sporting the appropriate PPE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boss and me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a BBQ with a UBC Dairy farmer and two Brazilian veterinary students

 

 

 

 

Attending the UBC Calendar Garden Party with some Ag Canada Students- it’s reassuring to realize that we will still be seeing eachother

Since I have been working at the Agassiz Research and Development Center, I have realized how many talented workers are here and how excellent they are as resources for career guidance. There are employees here from around the world, with different specialties, varying degrees of education and they are doing innovative work and are willing to share their experience with students. Some of the departments include forage, berry breeding, integrated pest management, pesticides, groundskeeping and greenhouse. To try and get some insight into the various job opportunities at the Research and Development Center and the path employees took to get to where they are today, I interviewed four employees from different departments. Here is what they said:

Jim- Greenhouse Supervisor
– Graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Diploma in Horticulture
– Before coming to work at the Agassiz Research and Development Center in 2004, he worked for 9 years in a commercial greenhouse before coming to work for the government and can now identify many differences between working in a government vs. a private greenhouse. For example, in the private greenhouse, they were scared of biological controls as they didn’t understand them nor did they have any scientists or insect experts to study and advise on alternatives to chemical pesticide and fertilizer use. Therefore, they chose to heavily spray their crops with chemical pesticides instead. Also found that is that you get more of a variety in work tasks and subjects in a federal research greenhouse where the demands in a commercial greenhouse are set and are working with the same plants all the time.The variety in the public sector can be very exciting, inspiring and interesting.
– Least favorite part of working in greenhouse is dealing with he heat in the summer time while he loves working with the plants and other hands-on work is a huge stress reliever and is his favorite part of the job.
– Unfortunately, acting as supervisor reduces hands-on time and increases time spent managing staff- finds this difficult as many of the people he leads (students or adults) can be under-trained and don’t have enough education to be trusted to manage the plants without him.
– Enjoys the Research and Development Center because there are lots of people to help you if you don’t know how to handle a certain plant or pest problem- the center is filled with experts!
– While it is lower pressure environment in the government, the trade-off is that there are many levels of approval that you need to work with in order to get projects approved. Furthermore, an abundance of paperwork is required for all projects.
– Jim’s suggestion to students is to keep an open mind about what work or job you will do and to try out as much as you can because you never know what you will like or what something can lead to.

Meg Marshall- Head groundskeeper
– Graduated from the University of Fraser Valley with a Horticulture Diploma
– After school, worked at an organic farm for a few years before coming to the Agassiz Research and Development Center 8 years ago and worked various casual contracts until she became a permanent employee this spring.
– When first arrived at the Research Center, both the greenhouse and the groundskeeping crews were combined which worked well to manage time in the hot greenhouse and was a good balance between scientific work and hands-on/ laborious work. When the two were split, Meg was selected as the head (and only) groundskeeper.
– Says working in a greenhouse is wonderful because it supports science and provides unique problem solving skills. However, there are points in the year where the position resembles that of “a well paid janitor” or a “glorified sprinkler” as the job involves cleaning up other people’s mess and extensive plant watering.
– Has always worked alone in groundskeeping until I came this spring which has it’s advantages and disadvantages. On a positive note, working alone allows you to choose your priorities and work at your own pace. However, the work of a groundskeeper is on display for everyone at the center and to the visitors and being the sole person responsible for the grounds can be very stressful.
– Enjoys working outside, however extreme weather can be challenging and her ability to complete tasks outside is frequently weather dependent. Enjoys the physicality of her job, however it is not sustainable and she does not picture herself in this job in 10 years.
– Feels that safety is held at a higher priority in the government copared to the private sector as there was a sense that private employers had “no time for safety”. Part of this could be that optics are a huge component of the public sector as you must show that you are working hard and effectively using tax-payer dollars.
– Finds that getting projects approved takes more time in the government compared to the private sector as there are many levels of management which must approve a project. She has noticed that this process can be useful as it keeps people accountable, manages money and forces workers to justify the decisions they are making.
– Meg’s advice to students is to never give up on the things you’re really interested in. Sometimes it takes a little while to achieve your goals but you should never sacrifice what you want because it is not convenient or possible at the time.

Markus Claudius- Biologist and Principle Investigator of GLP
– Graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Terrestrial Plant Ecology and later received an Applied Biology Masters in Insect Pest Management.
– When schooling was finished,, there were more opportunities in the public sector than private so he has worked for various levels of government his whole career- for the Provincial government in Prince George then for Agriculture Canada at the research facility in Summerland. Notes that there are few differences between working for the Provincial versus the Federal government.
– Explains that working in the private sector is not in his interests or goals as they “cut corners” and are tied to the contracts they sign for other companies which dictates what chemical pesticides they are able to research.
– Current lab collects information on pest residency in strawberry and other small crops and releases findings as well as suggested short-term solutions to growers. These tests are expensive to conduct and small-scale growers in the lower mainland could never afford to run them. Information gathered from this research contributes to the National Minor Use Pesticide Program and fills gaps of information for Health Canada.
– Lab isn’t pure research- they troubleshoot short-term pesticide solutions as pests eventually adapt to pesticides so short -term solutions are often necessary.
– Enjoys that every year is a constant learning curve as they are constantly working with new crops and new pests (lots of new pests come through Vancouver’s major port). Doesn’t enjoy the amount of paperwork and documentation involved with his job- each new trial must be properly documented and meet the legal standards.
– Takes students yearly as he enjoys teaching (forces him to think things through) and enjoys the energy that students bring to the work. In essence, students remind older researchers why they are doing what they are and what’s to love about research.
– Markus’ advice to young adults is to be aware of your own assumptions and conditioning of technical and personal skills since our upbringing colors our vision to see things a certain way- which is not always right. He advises to identify this and be thoughtful when things don’t go how you expect.

Peggy- Research Technician and Lab Manager in Biological Control Lab
– Started a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and philosophy but left to travel before  completing the degree. Did not return to school until 1991 after completing a few years of work and decided  to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at UBC.
– Worked as a researcher at the Agriculture Canada Research Center in Vancouver until it closed in 1996 when she started her own company importing foreign tree seedlings to sell in Canada. This company was fairly successful until the CFIA shut the borders because of foreign insect pests.
– Began working at the Agassiz Research and Development Center as a technician in the minor use pesticide program and in the greenhouse.
– While her educational background is in plant sciences, she became interested in insects when she began working for her boss Dave and eventually took over his projects when he retired.
– Loves working in Agassiz since it allows scientists to expand their horizons and knowledge through courses and training that is funded by the government. Lots of personal and professional growth has happened. Furthermore, she gets to work out in the field allot to look for insects- out among the forests and wild areas. However, does not enjoy dealing with bureaucracy in this job
– Takes students only when there is one that fits her criteria- biology student who has entomology experience from UFV, SFU or UVic
– Peggy’s advice to students is to follow your interests and not worry about what job you will get or what your title will be- you may be led to unexpected places!

In these interviews, I found some insights to be very valuable such as the pros and cons of working for the government versus the private sector. I have often thought that I would like to work for municipal, provincial or federal government or that I would enjoy working for our parks system. While the environment that I had envisioned to work in is different from Agassiz’s research facility, it is still valuable to hear worker’s opinions about the government work force. I also took allot out of the advice that my interviewees had for students since they have more wisdom regarding integrating into the workforce and they had some great insight into what has helped them to be successful.

Comparative analysis of growing small scale ornamental vs food crops

While I was working as a Groundskeeper in Agassiz, I experienced deep pleasure in the hands-on and visual work that I was doing with Meg. I loved working outside with plants and using my hands for rewarding work. However, I knew that this job was only temporary for me as I do not want to become a permanent groundskeeper when I grow up as the job is quite solitary and it doesn’t provide enough mental challenges for me. Some areas of study in small-scale food production catches my interest so I was actively searching for similarities and differences between what I’ve studied regarding small-scale agriculture and what I’ve learned growing ornamental crops. Critically thinking about this has helped me grasp what I learned this summer instead of mindlessly working and not fully absorbing what I was learning.

Location

The purpose of ornamental crops is to beauty an area so it is visually appealing to those who are passing by. When working for the government, optics are key- if a government research facility seems to be clean, well-kept and beautiful, then tax-payers are satisfied with how their money is being used. Therefore, ornamental crops are started in a greenhouse shortly after Christmas then planted outside in the spring when they are flowering and at their most beautiful. Many ornamental crops aren’t adapted to both cold and warm temperatures so they need to be planted in a controlled environment to ensure optimal growth. In some cases, ornamental crops are grown from stems of parent plants while others are grown from seeds or bulbs- both of these are commonly planted inside to allow the new plant to grow in a controlled environment. Comparatively, most food crops are planted from seeds outside in the springtime once the ground has been tilled. Some crops such as pumpkins and watermelons can be started in a greenhouse, but only in small-scale production. The feasibility of starting food crops inside is lower as the plants are numerous and it’s hard to have enough resources to monitor them inside. Furthermore, many food crops are naturally or engineered to be hardy so they can be planted in the springtime with the confidence that they will still grow despite unexpected weather.

Energy demands

Both ornamental and food crops are fairly energy intensive and require close care and an understanding for the plants. While ornamental crops have fewer mechanical inputs (like tractors), they both share the need for fertilizers, pest controls, water and manpower. The type of fertilizers and pest controls used depends on the crop, the location and the farmer. Different climates are subjected to different soil types, weather, pests and temperatures so fertilizers and pest control methods will vary. Furthermore, some farmers are more open to trying new methods on their crops and have the financial and infrastructural resources to do so. Meg has been working towards a fully organic crop production method so she has taken the time to test the effectiveness of compost tea as a natural fertilizing agent. While the greenhouses at the Research and Development Center use biological controls, many greenhouses use chemical pesticides as they don’t have the resources to research alternative methods. Since greenhouses are a controlled environment, they require heavy amounts of watering to make up for what outdoor crops get naturally. Since I did allot of watering in the spring, I couldn’t help but notice how much of the water quickly percolates through the soil in a plant pot and drops to the ground as waste. I often thought that a water recycling system would be very useful in our greenhouses as it would reduce allot of water waste. Many ornamental crops require additional infrastructure that outdoor crops don’t including greenhouses, heat, plastic pots, an irrigation system and electricity.

Timing

As previously stated, ornamental crops are planted in greenhouses shortly after Christmas then planted outside in the mid to late springtime. Comparatively, food crops are planted outside as seeds in the mid to early springtime and are not fully grown until mid to late summer. Both crops are removed from the ground in the fall, though food is harvested while ornamental crops are simply removed. Is some cases, parts of an ornamental plant can be saved and used the next year.

Purpose– to feed vs for ornamental purposes, science

Pests– mostly different pests and how you get rid of them

Techniques which make small scale food production more environmentally sustainable

For my LFS 350 class, I wrote an academic review on the environmental benefits of agroecological farming. I think that greenhouse and ornamental crop farming could adopt many agroecological practices such as water recycling, use of natural fertilizers and pesticides and crop rotationing in outside flower beds.

It is very exciting for me to be writing this blog post because I can finally apply the knowledge I have gained about insects to my interest in small scale food production and food security. Specifically, this post describes the similarities and differences of rearing insects for entomophagy crops (intended to be consumed by people) and as biological controls. It has been three and a half months since I began working in Agassiz and Meg and our Entomologist Peggy have taught me so much about rearing insects as biological controls for greenhouses. Now, with a bit more research, I am exploring the world of rearing insects as food resources.

Why Insects?

In developing countries such as China and India, the demand for beef, pork and chicken is growing at an unsustainable rate. Unfortunately, because animal food production is so energy intensive and emits negative wastes such as Greenhouse Gases and manure, humans are exploring other protein-rich crops which are more sustainable. Plant-based protein sources such as beans, lentils, broccoli and peas are especially popular to consumers. However, recently, researchers are exploring a crop which is less conventional in developed countries- insect crops. Rearing insects is economical, it requires fewer energy inputs and is environmentally sustainable as they require less space and can convert waste to a product which farmers can use. Furthermore, they are highly nutritious and efficient in converting food into body bass and nutrients. However, and obvious setback is the prevalent view of disgust, fear and distaste by citizens in developed countries towards insects- this is known as the “ew” factor.

Surprisingly, insects are already being eaten in 80% of the world’s countries such as China, Australia and much of Latin America (Entomophagy, n.d.). Furthermore, these countries are not afraid to serve many different insects such as moths, butterflies, ants, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and worms. In many developed countries however, insect foods are a taboo which is only done as a dare or on a show like Fear Factor. In an attempt to introduce these small invertebrates into the food system of developed countries, two “tame” species are being reared and served- mealworms and crickets.

Key Differences

• Insect species

Since all agricultural crops have insect pests, there are many different biological control crops which are reared to meet the needs of those different crops. Therefore, we can safely say that there are many types of insects, arachnids, butterflies and moths which are used to control various crop pests. However, when it comes to food consumption, the type of insects are much more specific and they vary more between countries. In most of Latin America, Oceania, Asia and Africa, varieties of moths, butterflies, beetles, worms, crickets, cicadas and arachnids will be eaten. However, eating insects is not a part of the culture in many developed countries so it needs to be gradually introduced over time. So far, meal worms and crickets are the most popular where companies like Tiny Farms and Entomo farms are selling whole roasted insects, insect flour and powder (Entomo Farms, n.d.). Comparatively, many insects used as biological controls would never be served as food either because they are dangerous (parasitoides or poisonous spiders) or they are too small (predatory mites and pathogens).

• Scale of production and demand

Since biological controls are hugely important in many agricultural crops, large scale insect farming operations exist, especially throughout Europe and the U.S. For example, two companies, Koppert (Canada) and Biobest (Belgium) rear desired insects in large climate regulated barns, then sell them as packaged biological controls to scientists and farmers across the globe. Comparatively,  the market for insect food sources is still relatively new and unpopular so the farming remains relatively small scale. Even in countries where entomophagy is more popular, insect farms are predominantly small and they sell to a regional or possibly national crowd.

• Type of feed

For biological controls, the main agents are predators, pathogens and parasitoides, each of which is fed what it naturally feeds on (such as our Green Lacewings and their Aphid prey). This is done both to train the insects to hunt and because biological controls are predators or parasitoides and they rely on a prey species for survival. However, entomophagy crops are commonly fed materials that is fed to humans (such as meal worms with wheat bran or fruit).

Overall, most of the differences between rearing biological control crops versus entomophagy crops is based on their demand by consumers and their primal needs. Since commercial entomophagy crops are so far limited to a few species, crickets and mealworms especially, they have rather particular needs. Crickets and mealworms have diets similar to a human diet so they are especially fond of fruits and vegetables. Moreover, entomophagy operations are relatively monocultural so they are less complicated to operate, smaller scale and there is a smaller profit to be made. However, because there are so many biological control species, catering to all of their different climate and  feeding needs is more complicated. For many biological controls, you are not only rearing them, but also their prey (for predatory insects) or their host (for parasitoides or pathogens) which makes the energy inputs higher than that of the entomophagy crops. Furthermore, since there is a high demand for biological controls, farming operations are often large and farming a diverse crop of insects which makes them more complicated and expensive to operate. However, the financial rewards are also higher. Similarities between the two operations do also exist. Specifically, both require similar infrastructure such as climate regulation (air humidity, temperature and light), barns and staff.

Upon researching this topic, it was made clear to me how little information there is regarding insect farming and the production of biological controls. As these become more popular and well documented, I look forward to learning more about them!

References

Entomo Farms. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://entomofarms.com/

Entomophagy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10th, 2016 from the Entomophagy wiki https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

The remaining two insect species that I work with, and which take up the majority of my time, are the two Green Lacewings species (Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysoperla oculata) and the Aphids (Aphidoidea). Meg and I often look for new insect genetics in the fields outside to keep our colonies healthy, which is why we occasionally have two different species of a particular insect.

GREEN LACEWINGS (both Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysoperla oculata)

While the purpose of our Green Lacewings and Stink Bugs is the same (to feed on Aphids in our greenhouses), we rear both species just in case. If, for example, one species were to get a disease, have decreased population size or inefficiently work as a biological control, then we have another species to use as backup. However, the Green Lacewings greatly differ from the Stink Bugs in the manner of how they are reared and what we feed them. Meg and I feed the Lacewings a brown food (a mix of proteins and essential nutrients) , aphids and we provide them with a water dish. Their habitat is enclosed within one of our mesh bug houses and includes water for drinking, pepper plants for habitat and hiding, and cut up grass and peppers for hiding and as a location to lay eggs. An example of this is shown below;

Lacewings are the insect crop that takes up the most of my time as they are quite demanding. This work includes collecting their pupa, checking pupa cages for new emergents, watering pepper plants, releasing adults to greenhouses and of course, feeding. Collecting pupa is the most delicate and small jobs that I do here at the Research Station as the pupa are so small and hidden. Underneath the cut grass and pepper plants you will find pieces of dirt, but no visible pupa! With a small paintbrush, I brush along the floor of the cage until I feel a sticky ball catch on my paintbrush or I see a sticky white ball clumped to dirt- these are the pupa! I then gently pick them up with the paintbrush, record how many I collect, then transfer them to a smaller bug house where they can emerge before being released to a greenhouse. Shown below is me collecting Green Lacewings pupa (top) and the Green Lacewing houses for pupa and eventually, new emergents (bottom).

Lacewings can either be released to the greenhouse from the emergents bug house or from the adult house if it is overpopulated. At the moment, most of the ornamental crops from Meg’s greenhouse have been planted throughout the grounds so we have no use for the lacewings. However, the greenhouse department has year-round indoor crops such as tomatoes and raspberries so they are contently fighting with greenhouse pests and have use for our predatory insects. When working with the Lacewings, I have to keep a close eye out that none escape, and if they do, I have to catch them and return them to their bug house. Catching Green Lacewings is a very amusing job that I really enjoy doing as it feels like I’m taking part in calf roping in a rodeo. They are caught by pinching the wings together- which is tricky if they are very nervous and flying around.

APHIDS (Aphidoidea)

The aphids are reared solely for the purpose of feeding the Green Lacewings, so it is important that we do everything possible to keep their population size maintained. Aphid habitat is within a covered and contained Styrofoam cup (shown below) which needs to be changed twice a week.

Each cup is filled 1/6 full with water then a plastic SOLO cup with a small hole in it is placed above the water line. The stem of a freshly cut pepper leaf is then placed in the small hole so the water can keep the leaf fresh and provide the aphids with habitat and food. Shown below is a new colony cup with a fresh leaf (left) and an old colonies cup where the leaf is covered in aphids (right).

Following this, we need the Aphids. From previous colonies, we take the Aphid filled leaf from the Styrofoam cup and find three sexually mature adults to move to the new colony. As shown below, this work is done under a microscope so you can identify the distinct bump on the rear of an adult aphid which distinguishes it from the juveniles.

It is important to have 3-5 sexually mature adults in the new colony so that enough young can be born and raised for food. Sometimes, leaves from an old colony become overpopulated and it is impossible to retrieved sexually mature adults without affecting others. Overpopulation can be distinguished either by the number or the color of the aphids- if some have turned from their pale green to a pale pink color, that is a sign of stress from overpopulation. In these cases, that portion of the leaf can be discarded and will be fed to the Lacewings. Once the appropriate amount of adult Aphids have been placed in the new colony, the Styrofoam container can be sealed with a piece of tissue paper and a top exposed plastic drink lid. In peak greenhouse season (December-June), 12-14 cups will be made up. However, in the off months (mid June-December), 6-8 cups are prepared.

Note: It is important to avoid entering a greenhouse directly after working with aphid colonies as they are often on your person (though you can’t always see or feel them) and you can infect the crops.

THE OPEN HOUSE

On Saturday July 16th, our research station paired with the UBC Dairy Farm and hosted an Open House where approximately 1000 public  visitors toured our farm and experienced a bit of what we do. Lots was required of staff to prepare the grounds, lectures, tours, displays, interactive activities and food. I was honored to be asked to run the first ever kids zone- I love working with kids so much and event planning is one of my favorite things to do! The kids zone was completely student run with 4 volunteers working at all times running snail races, superworm races, craft station and face painting. I’m so thankful to my helpers as they made the station run so much more smoothly and their enthusiasm made my day so much fun. Running the kids zone reinforced to me the importance of involving people of all ages in our work, whether that be agriculture, science, animal welfare or environmental protection, as our community is diverse and every person plays a part in it. It is never too early to inspire people or expose them to the more complex world that our farm studies.

Below are some pictures of the day.

One of the most interesting parts of my job is the work that I get to do with insects. This is true mostly because I have so little experience with insects so most of what I see and do is for the first time. Some might find this area to be disconnected from my groundskeeping duties, but, in reality, they are intricately interconnected. For the purpose of this program is to use insects as biological controls for greenhouse crops when pest species are reducing their productivity and resiliency. My supervisor Meg and I work closely with the Research Station’s entomologist Peggy who frequently provides important insight and helps maintain our colonies. There are multiple insect rearing rooms in the Research Station’s main building and each one has regulated temperature and light to cater to the needs of the insects. This weeks blog post describes four of our insect crops Dicyphus, Aphilinus abdominalus, Podisus maculaventris (Stink Bugs) and Tenebrio molitor (meal worms) while the next post (July 20th) will provide an in depth description of our Aphidoidea (Aphid) and Chrysoperla (Green Lacewing) colonies.

Podisus maculaventris (Stink Bug)

Our Stink Bug colony is without a doubt my favorite to work with because of their brilliant colors and violent hunting methods. We rear these bugs as a biological control to feed on aphids in our greenhouses (one of our dominant pests). However, Stink Bugs are known to eat any soft shelled insect so we take extra care so that none escape as they could attack other insect cages and completely decimate their colony. Unfortunately, this occurred one sad morning (for Meg) when a Stink Bug broke in to the Stick Bug cake and killed them all. For this same reason, we rear the Stink Bugs and Green Lacewings in different rooms and we never release the two into the same greenhouse as the Stink Bugs would eat the Green Lacewings. When they are truly desperate for food, adult Stink Bugs will turn on their young and eat them- this is always a sign for Meg and I that the bugs are starving and need to be fed immediately or else the colony will be destroyed. Alternatively, we rear Meal Worms as food for the Stink Bugs. It is always fascinating to watch the Stink Bugs feed as they pierce the shell of the worm with a needle that is attached to the front of their face. Then, they suck out the insides of the worm as if it’s a smoothie! Admittedly, I have a bit of a gory mind as I confess I enjoy watching this and seeing the worm writhe as it dies. Interestingly, Stink Bugs do not require any water as they get a sufficient amount from the worms and from the fava bean plants we leave in their cage. Fava beans are used because they are fast growing and they provide a good habitat for the insects- the young bugs hide under the bean leaves that we cut from the plant tops and lay at the bottom of their cage. Shown below is a picture of our Stink Bug house:

Tenebrio molitor (Meal Worm)

Most students are familiar with a meal worm’s life cycle from their elementary school science classes and have fond memories of watching them evolve from a worm to a beetle. It is very fun for me as an adult to be able to work with them again in a practical and scientific way. These worms are reared to serve as food to the Stink Bugs and they are particularly easy to work with and they are cheap to keep. All they require is food (either an apple or a carrot) and habitat (a cornmeal bed covered with a layer of paper towel). Interestingly, they use the paper towel as food as well as shelter and when searching for worms to feed to the Stink Bugs, I am always sure to find some directly under a paper towel piece. The worm habitat is shown below:

Dicyphus and Aphilinus abdominalus

These two insect colonies are relatively new to Meg and she does most of the work with them alone. The Dicyphus is a white fly predator while the Aphilinus is an aphid predator and parasitoid. As with the Stink Bugs, these two colonies have plant material inside which serves to provide habitat. Interestingly, we feed the Aphilinus moth eggs which we stick to a neon sticky note and place in their habitat while Dicyphus is fed “blue food” (a mixture of essential nutrients). Since we are completely wrapped up in our outdoor work during the summer months, we don’t have time to experiment with these insects so increased use of their colonies won’t happen until the fall and winter. Shown below are the Dicyphus and Aphilinus houses:

On July 16th, our Research Station is hosting an Open House with the UBC Dairy Farm where all people in the community are invited to come and see our work and facilities. Tours, displays, games, food and lectures have been scheduled and we hope to get nearly 1,000 visitors throughout the day (if weather permits). I will be running the kids zone where we will have games, crafts, face painting and an insect display. Admittedly, I am excited to show off some of the insects to children and it is my hope that they will find them interesting, even “cool” rather than gross or scary. As this day is a week and a half away, we are busy working to get the kids zone supplies ready and to get the grounds fixed up for the crowds.

In the past few weeks, the weather has been getting consistently warmer, though it seems we are still experiencing many rainy and stormy days. Meg and I have been profiting from this warm then cool weather as it is ideal for planting crops outside. For the past month, a huge portion of our work has involved transferring plants from the greenhouse to the plant beds. While this sounds like a very direct and straightforward process, the reality is much more complicated and labor intensive. Below is a list of the steps involved in planting ornamental crops outside:

1. Prepare the bed where the plants are to be put- This involves weeding, breaking up the soil (either with hands or a rototiller), edging and laying down compost (nutrient rich soil which is ideal for feeding new plants).
2. Prepare the plants- Plants need to be watered and healthy before they are planted. Plants that are too dry or which contain mold (especially with Lobelia and Impatients) can be composted. Some plants may be overgrown and may need to be trimmed back before being planted- we found this especially necessary for the Necotiana and the Impatients.
3.  Transport the plants- Plants can be carefully spaced in the Gator box and in an attached trailer then moved to the desired bed. It is important to drive slower when driving with an attached trailer and to take extra precaution when turning, breaking and going over bumps.
4. Planting plants- Different beds require different plant spacing which is always planned out by Meg. Once the hole is dug with a shovel or trowel (depending on the size of the plant and the firmness of the soil), we commonly put a small amount of fertilizer in the hole, mix it in with the soil, then put the plant in the hole. Occasionally, the hole is too deep or too shallow and we have to adjust accordingly the amount of dirt accordingly. Once the plant is in the hole, we fill it in with soil and firmly press the plant into the ground to avoid it shifting or tilting over time.
5. Fertilize and/or water crop- Every plant has different water and nutritional needs (meaning some need more/less water and some need more/less fertilizer) so we plan our post planted crop care according to the plants needs. Immediately after having planted the crop, we turn on their sprinkler or irrigation system for a long soak (1.5 hours minimum) so the plants are well hydrated and have a better chance of a successful transition to outdoor living. For some plants, water is not enough and they need to be fertilized as well as watered- this is especially true for our Angels Trumpet (Brugmansia) crop.
6. Monitor crop as it grows- It is critical to closely monitor the crops in the first few weeks after they have been planted to see if they are adjusting to living outside. For most crops, we lay a layer of composted bark mulch over the dirt which reduces the amount of weeds that grow and improves the appearance of the planted bed. If the weeds return and are in large enough numbers that a passerby will notice, it is necessary to weed that bed. It is also important to water the beds which do not have an irrigation system and to make sure all irrigation systems are working properly (running on time, for the right amount of time and the right frequency). As the weather changes throughout the summer, so must our care of the beds. In hot dry weather, we must pay particular attention to the beds to see if they need to be watered. For the Angels Trumpets, they need to be fertilized at least twice a week or their leaves will turn yellow to indicate they are starving. Comparatively, some crops require additional structural stability as they are more delicate. Stakes and string can be used, as was done with our Dhalias and tomatoes.

Once the plant crops have been planted, the majority of our work moves to the outdoors so we spend less time in the greenhouse. I’m really enjoying this opportunity to be completely surrounded in nature all the time, though the weather variability can make me more tired by the days end. I’ve been fortunate to continue one of my favorite hobbies here- wildlife watching. With the help of my binoculars, I’ve watched some of my favorite creatures like the Bald Eagle and the Barn Swallow and I’ve been fortunate to see more rare animal like the Black Bear and the Bobcat. I can conclude in this blog entry that I am thoroughly enjoying myself here out among the animals and the trees!

Wednesday June 8^th, 2016

I have been working at the Agassiz Research and Development Center for one month now and I have learned and done so much! While I have been working at reduced hours because of my concussion, my supervisor Meg Marshall and I have gotten allot done on the grounds at the research center. Most of our time has been spent in the insectary with our insect crops, in the greenhouses preparing our plants for planting and on the grounds. Since I began on May 2^nd, my groundskeeping duties have included:

• Lawn maintenance on the research center grounds
• Grow ornamental crops in greenhouses to plant on the grounds
• Maintain trees and shrubs in the arboretum (forested area at the front/ center of the grounds)
• Plant and maintain plant beds on the grounds
• Rear insect crops to be used as biological controls in the greenhouses
• Attend various greenhouse and staff wide meetings
• Attend safety training on Gator motor vehicle operation and on bear awareness
• Participate in staff vs student team building soccer game

Since I began work on May 2^nd, a large proportion of my duties were in the greenhouses or inside preparing plants and insects for the greenhouses. Therefore, this blog entry will describe my greenhouse duties and what I have learned in the process.

To prepare ornamental plant crops that will be ready to plant in the spring, it is necessary that they are first grown in a greenhouse from as early as December until the following May or June. In the winter or early spring, seeds are planted or pieces of parent trees are transplanted to new pots. They are watered and maintained until the weather is warm enough and they are strong enough to survive outdoors. Listed below is an explanation of the different tasks that my supervisor and I have completed thus far to keep the plants at maximum health and growth.

1. Water plants

• Using water or fertilizer?

To survive, plants need food, soil, water and sun. The semi-clear material of the greenhouse allows sunlight to pass through and keeps the greenhouse warm (fans are used to keep air circulating and avoid overheating on hot days). When we are using the hose on the plants, we alternate between using regular water and a water-fertilizer mixture. The water-fertilizer mixture nourishes and feeds the plants which can sustain them for longer than if only given clear water.

• Overwatering and underwatering

It is important when watering plants to know when you have given the plant enough water or when it is still dry. Sometimes, a visual test can be done on the plant- if it is close enough to the individual, they can look at the color of the soil. If it is light in color and appears dry or if the plant is wilting, then more water is required. Otherwise, the soil may appear dark brown or black which means the plant may have gotten enough water. If the plant is close enough to the individual applying water, they can do a feel test where they touch the soil. It will either feel dry or moist and that will give some indication to whether the plant needs more water or not. Finally, if the plant is on a table with many others and a visual and feel test is hard to properly execute, then a weight test can be done. In this case, the individual applying water can carefully lift the plant and feel whether it is heavy or light- a plant that is well watered will be heavier than one that is dry.

Some plants are more subject to drying out- especially those in smaller pots and along the outside of the tables, so it is important that they are checked more frequently. When applying water, it is important that the waterer does not over disturb the soil of vulnerable plants- vulnerable plants being ones with a poor root system in place, a recently planted or transplanted crop and those in smaller pots. A lighter water output level or a shorter watering time may be required.

• Understanding plant needs in different weather conditions

In warm, dry and windy weather, plants are subject to drying out faster and will need to be checked and watered more often. In wet and cool weather, they may only need to be watered once a day or once every other day.

2. Treating diseases

So far, the only plant disease which I have treated is a mold known as Botrytis cinerea which affects most plants- especially those in greenhouses. In our greenhouses, the lobelia and impatiens are especially vulnerable to Botrytis cinerea and must to be monitored and treated frequently. Applied as a deep soak with a watering can, we use RHAPSODY fungicide diluted in water to temporarily treat Botrytis cinerea. Since it can reoccur after a soaking treatment, the plants need to be closely monitored and treated soon after the disease is found. If left too long, the plant will rot and die. Shown below is a photograph of an Impatiens infected with Botrytis cinerea.

3. Transplant pots

When a plant has grown to become too big for it’s pot, it is necessary that the plant and its soil be transplanted to a larger pot and that extra potting soil be added. It is important to make sure that the roots are fully covered with soil up to the base of the plant and the plant is firmly pressed into the soil to avoid it caving in or tipping over time. Finally, once transplanting is complete, the plant should be carefully watered.

4. Manage biological controls

Various insect varieties can be used as biological controls in greenhouse crops instead of spraying pesticide or herbicides. In the research station groundskeeping greenhouses, some insect species are reared while others are bought due to a lack of resources and facilities. So far in our greenhouses, I have only released three insect species that we have reared- the Goldeneye Green Lacewing (Chrysopa oculata), the Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) and the Stink bug (Podisus maculaventris). The role of these insect species is to act as a predator and parasitoid to aphids-which are a major pest in greenhouse production. The Stink bug prefers to feed on soft bodied insects which causes great risk when exposed to Green Lacewings. To avoid the Lacewings being preyed on by the Stink bugs, they are put in different greenhouses. Shown below are pictures of two boughten biological controls which I release weekly in the greenhouses. One variety is released to prey on Spider Mites and the other on Gnats, Thrips and other small soil organisms.

• Note: An explanation of the specifics of rearing different insect crops will be included in upcoming blog posts.

5. Space pots and trim plants

Once a plant has filled out in its pot, it may become crowded in a tray with other plants if they are spaced too closely. This can limit the plants ability to get water and sunlight and can therefore reduce its ability to thrive and grow. This problem can be solved by trimming and thinning the plant so it is less tall and thick and by changing the spacing in the plant trays. When trimming the plants, it is important that a few healthy leaves and stems are left so the plant can effectively photosynthesize and regrow. For spacing, the diagram below contrasts two spacing options- the first which is too crowded while the second allows room for growth.

Listed below is the type of crops we have grown in the groundskeeping greenhouses this year and the most popular varieties:

• Flowers
• Nicotiana
  

 

 

 

 

 

• Impatiens

 

 

 

 

 

• Begonia

 

 

 

 

 

• Petunia

 

 

 

 

 

• Lobelia

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Trees

• Fig tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Bay tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Maple tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Food crops

• Tomato
• Pumpkin
• Bean
• Note: we do not grow fruit crops as those are grown in large test plots in the greenhouses or outside and are used for scientific experiments.

As the weather is getting warmer, more crops will be planted outside and less work will be done in the greenhouse. I am eager to see how my work demands will evolve with the changing weather!