Student Spotlight

by Maggie Elliot

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Writing Toolbox

Using a Readability Scale  How easy-to-read is your writing? Whether you are designing a lesson plan or penning an article, communicating the complexity of agriculture can be challenging. One way to note the “readability” of a document is by using the Flesh Kincaid Readability Test, which is available through Microsoft Word. The scale assesses the reading ease of your document and indicates the appropriate grade level to read the paper. It takes into account sentence structure, syllables, word length, and vocabulary. With this in mind, as the author you can more accurately tailor your work to best suit the age of your audience. To access the readability statistics, go to Tools, Spelling & Grammar, 1 Click the File tab, and then click Options . 2 Click Proofing . 3 Under When correcting spelling and grammar in Word, make sure the Check grammar with spelling check box is selected. 4 Select Show readability statistics . Once the spell...
Read more

CALS Ireland Study Abroad 2018

From Dublin to Dairies CALS students and faculty toured one of Ireland's agriculture research centers We were at the foot of a castle. Perched on a tall hill, impenetrable walls enclosed a millenium old round tower, cathedral, and chapel. The exposed rock of the castle was mottled and weathered, splotched with white lichen and hardy moss. After a stormy day, swirls of heavy clouds shed curtains of windblown mist across the landscape. Wind and rain lashed around us, but the castle remained still, unmoving, as if part of the earth itself.   “For those who are not faint-hearted” Dr. Ahmadzadeh called, “There is a striking view on the other side.” He pointed to a narrow, water bogged trail weaving around the sharply slanted hill. The ground had withstood hours of pouring rain, and was now saturated and unstable, shifting precariously under our feet. Undaunted, all eight students quickly fell in step behind him. We treaded through the long grass, stepping o...
Read more

Lewis Clark AVA

by Maggie Elliot Photo Credit: Susan R. O'Hara An AVA, or “American Viticulture Area” is a grape-growing region producing distinct wines because of the unique terrain, climate, soil, and other factors of the land. In May, Idaho’s third AVA was designated, the Lewis Clark Valley AVA. Bordering the Lewiston and Clarkston state lines, the AVA is shared by two states, with twelve percent in Washington and the remaining in Idaho. Vineyards in the Lewis Clark Valley AVA are nestled between the steep Bitteroot Mountains. The deep, v-shaped valleys create ideal air drainage for wine grapes, inhibiting mold growth, lending frost protection, and the presence of cool summer nights work to develop acid retention. The soil is composed of silt based mollisols, carrying a high water holding capacity, promoting the need for minimal irrigation. The Lewis Clark Valley is set apart from other AVAs in the Northwest, as its landscape was not carved from ancient Missoula floods. I...
Read more