Agriculture

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Agriculture

September 27, 2024
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“Harvest Rest” | George Cole

One characteristic of the “customer experience” of school children, dormitory residents, patients in university-affiliated hospitals and attendees of large athletic events is the quality of food.  School districts and large research universities are responsible for hundreds of food service enterprises for communities that are sensitive to various points along the food supply chain.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is one of the first names in standards setting for the technology and management of the major components of the global food supply chain.   It has organized its ANSI-accredited standards setting enterprise into about 200 technical committees developing 260-odd consensus documents*.   It throws off a fairly steady stream of public commenting opportunities; many of them relevant to agricultural equipment manufacturers (i.e, the Producer interest where the most money is) but enough of them relevant to consumers (i.e. the User interest where the least money is) and agricultural economics academic programs that we follow the growth of its best practice bibliography.

A few of the ASABE consensus documents that may be of interest to faculty and students in agricultural and environmental science studies are listed below:

  • Safety for Farmstead Equipment
  • Safety Color Code for Educational and Training Laboratories
  • Recommended Methods for Measurement and Testing of LED Products for Plant Growth and Development
  • Distributed Ledger Technology applications to the global food supply chain

The ASABE bibliography is dominated by product-related standards; a tendency we see in many business models of standards setting organizations because of the influence of global industrial conglomerates who can bury the cost of their participation into a sold product.  Our primary interest lies in the movement of interoperability standards — much more difficult — as discussed in our ABOUT.

The home page for the ASABEs standards setting enterprise is linked below:

ASABE Standards Development

As of this posting we find no live consultation notices for interoperability standards relevant to educational settlements.  Sometimes you can find them ‘more or less concurrently’ posted at the linked below:

ANSI Standards Action

We always encourage our colleagues to participate directly in the ASABE standards development process.  Students are especially welcomed into the ASABE Community.  Jean Walsh (walsh@asabe.org) and Scott Cederquist (cedarq@asabe.org) are listed as contacts.

 

Category: Food

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Jack Janveja, Richard Robben

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Morrill Land-Grant Act

September 26, 2024
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IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference |  Agricultural Extension Offices

“Harvest Rest”  1865 George Cole

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end

contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”

— Thomas Jefferson

From the Wikipedia: Land-grant university

“…A land-grant university (also called land-grant college or land-grant institution) is an institution of higher education in the United States designated by a state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890.

The Morrill Acts funded educational institutions by granting federally controlled land to the states for them to sell, to raise funds, to establish and endow “land-grant” colleges. The mission of these institutions as set forth in the 1862 Act is to focus on the teaching of practical agriculture, science, military science, and engineering (though “without excluding… classical studies”), as a response to the industrial revolution and changing social class.  This mission was in contrast to the historic practice of higher education to focus on a liberal arts curriculum. A 1994 expansion gave land grant status to several tribal colleges and universities….”

Link to the original legislation:

THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS / Approved July 2, 1862

The Morrill Land-Grant Act has not undergone significant changes in its core structure within the past decade. However, there have been important developments and discussions surrounding its implementation, particularly regarding the use of land originally designated under the Act.

One key area of focus has been the ongoing management of trust lands associated with land-grant universities. Investigations have revealed that many of these lands continue to generate substantial revenue, often through activities such as fossil fuel production, mining, timber sales, and agriculture.

For instance, between 2018 and 2022, trust lands associated with land-grant universities generated over $6.7 billion in revenue. These investigations have also highlighted the historical context of how these lands were acquired, often from Indigenous nations, sparking ongoing debates about equity and restitution.


Several universities associated with the Morrill Land-Grant Act continue to generate significant revenue from fossil fuels, timber, and agricultural activities. Here are some examples:

  1. Washington State University (WSU): WSU benefits from timber sales on its trust lands, which have generated over $1.1 billion in revenue from 1889 to 2022. These lands are used for timber production, grazing, and other activities​ (Grist).
  2. University of Arizona: The university’s trust lands are involved in grazing, timber, and fossil fuel production. These lands generate revenue through leases for activities such as mining and oil extraction​ (Grist).
  3. University of Texas: The Permanent University Fund, which includes land-grant lands, generates revenue primarily through oil and gas production. The University of Texas system benefits significantly from these fossil fuel activities​ (Grist).
  4. University of Wyoming: Like other land-grant institutions, the University of Wyoming manages trust lands that produce revenue through activities like coal mining and grazing​ (Grist).

These activities raise important questions about the environmental and ethical implications of continuing to use land-grant trust lands in this manner, especially given the historical context of how these lands were acquired.

Point / Counterpoint

 

Climate Psychosis

Peach’s

September 25, 2024
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University of Chicago Consolidated Balance Sheets |  $19.837B

Facilities Services

Chicagoland

Illinois

“Everydayness is not only a mode of being but a dimension of existence.”
Martin Heidegger “Being and Time”:

Relevant OSHA Action

September 24, 2024
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Arenas, Lecture Halls & Theaters

September 24, 2024
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National Fire Protection Association | 2022 Revenue $82M

2026 NEC Code Panel 15 Public Input Report with Committee Response

Note in the transcript above that the four proposals submitted by Standards Michigan relate to healthcare facilities.  Code Panel 15 receives proposals for healthcare and assembly occupancy wiring safety concepts.

Marcel Jambon for an 1895 Paris production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello.

The standard of care for electrical system safety in dramatic art facilities in the education, and other industries, is largely established in Articles 518 through Article 540 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).   In some instances, dramatic art activity takes place in athletic arenas so we are mindful of parent standards for assembly occupancies generally; found in Chapter 3 of the International Building Code.

Free public access to the current 2023edition of the NEC is linked below:

2023 National Electrical Code

Of particular interest is the “technical power system” found in Article 640: Audio Signal Processing, Amplification, and Reproduction Equipment.

Access to the International Building Code on “related” occupancies is linked below (Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use):

2021 International Building Code

Note the imperfect correlation between the NFPA and ICC occupancy definitions.  This never happens by design but is sometimes necessary.  Some risk aggregations have to be understood as terms of art; to be understood by seasoned experts in context.  Also, keep in mind that the NEC is a wiring installation safety code.

Proposals for revisions to assembly-related installations in the for 2023 is linked below:

NFPA 70 Public Input Report for 2023 Assembly Occupancies 

Second Draft Report for all articles assigned to CMP-15

The so called “song and dance” sections of the NEC have been fairly “stable” in recent cycles.  Changes to these articles in the NEC 2020 revision are incremental — i.e clarifications on grounding, wiring methods, cord wiring, illumination — and helpful for designers and inspectors.  Nothing budget busting.   Convergence of fire safety, mass notification,  environmental air and visual experiences continues as once-independent technologies continue integration.

2026 National Electrical Code Workspace

 

We collaborate with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which meets 4 times monthly in Europe and the Americas.   See our CALENDAR for the next online teleconferences; open to everyone.

Issue: [Various]

Category: Sport, Electrical, Telecommunications, Fire Protection, Arts & Entertainment Facilities, Lively Art

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Matt Dozier, Jim Harvey

LEARN MORE:

BS 7827_2011 – Code of practice for designing, specifying, maintaining and operating emergency sound systems at sports venues

Requirements for Hybrid Media Production

Digital Content Production

Archive / Places of Assembly, Lecture Halls & Theaters

The Best Student-Friendly Brownies

September 21, 2024
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Student Life

Fall Watersport

September 20, 2024
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Athletic Competition Timing Standards

Today we update our understanding of best practice catalogs for outdoor and indoor watersport; primarily swimming and rowing.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Natatoriums 300: Advanced Topics

Sapienza – Università di Roma

USA Swimming and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Swimming are two distinct organizations that oversee different aspects of competitive swimming in the United States. USA Swimming governs competitive swimming in the United States across all age groups and skill levels, while NCAA Swimming specifically focuses on collegiate-level swimming and diving competitions within the NCAA framework. Both organizations play crucial roles in the development and promotion of swimming in the United States.

Governing Body:

USA Swimming is the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. It is responsible for overseeing competitive swimming at all levels, from grassroots programs to elite national and international competitions.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which governs intercollegiate sports in the United States. NCAA Swimming specifically deals with collegiate-level swimming competitions among universities and colleges.

Scope:

USA Swimming is responsible for organizing and regulating competitive swimming for all age groups and skill levels, from youth swimmers to Masters swimmers (adults). It oversees swim clubs, hosts competitions, and develops national teams for international events.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming focuses exclusively on college-level swimming and diving competitions. It sets the rules and guidelines for swimming and diving programs at NCAA member institutions.

Membership:

Individuals, swim clubs, and teams can become members of USA Swimming, allowing them to participate in USA Swimming-sanctioned events, access coaching resources, and benefit from the organization’s development programs.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming is composed of collegiate athletes who compete for their respective universities and colleges. Athletes are typically student-athletes who represent their schools in NCAA-sanctioned competitions.

Competition Format:

USA Swimming hosts a wide range of competitions, including local, regional, and national meets, as well as Olympic Trials and international events. Swimmers compete as individuals, representing their swim clubs or teams.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming primarily consists of dual meets, invitational meets, and conference championships at the collegiate level. Swimmers represent their respective universities or colleges, earning points for their teams in dual meets and competing for conference and national titles.

Scholarships:

USA Swimming itself does not offer scholarships. Scholarships for competitive swimmers are typically awarded by colleges and universities based on an athlete’s performance and potential.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA member institutions offer scholarships to talented student-athletes in various sports, including swimming. These scholarships can cover tuition, room, board, and other expenses, making NCAA swimming an avenue for athletes to receive financial support for their education.

 


 

Swimming, Water Polo and Diving Lighting

We Plough the Fields and Scatter

September 20, 2024
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Welcome | Our Campus

The lyrics were originally written in German by poet Matthias Claudius in 1782 as part of a larger work titled “Paul Erdmanns Fest” which reflects an appreciation for the agricultural cycle. The hymn was later translated into English by Jane Montgomery Campbell in 1861. The melody most commonly associated with the hymn is a traditional German tune, adapted by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz.

The hymn expresses gratitude for the earth’s bounty and acknowledges God as the ultimate provider of all good things. Its verses celebrate the act of sowing and reaping, emphasizing the cooperation between human effort and divine blessing. “We Plow the Fields and Scatter” has become a staple in Christian liturgy, particularly during harvest celebrations and Thanksgiving services, symbolizing a collective acknowledgment of and thanks for God’s abundant gifts.

Standards Ontario

CSA Group

 

Water Polo

September 20, 2024
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A standard water polo pool playing field has specific characteristics and dimensions regulated by the sport’s governing bodies, such as Fédération Internationale de Natation with regional variations informed by student athlete safety. There are about 750 high school girls and boys girls water polo programs in the US and about 70 collegiate teams.  Here are the key features:

Pool Dimensions

  1. Length: The playing area is typically 20 to 30 meters long.
  2. Width: The playing area is 10 to 20 meters wide.
  3. Depth: The minimum depth is 1.8 meters (about 6 feet) to ensure players cannot touch the bottom.

Goal Dimensions

  1. Width: The goals are 3 meters wide.
  2. Height: The goals are 0.9 meters high.

Markings and Zones

  1. Midline: The center of the pool has a midline to divide the playing area into two halves.
  2. 5-Meter Line: There are lines marked at 5 meters from each goal line, used to indicate where penalty shots can be taken.
  3. 2-Meter Line: There are lines marked at 2 meters from each goal line, inside which attacking players cannot remain for more than a few seconds without the ball.

Goals and Nets

  1. Goalposts and Crossbar: The goals are constructed with goalposts and a crossbar, usually made of metal or a similar sturdy material.
  2. Nets: Attached to the goals to catch the ball.

Ball Specifications

  1. Size: The ball has a circumference of 0.68 to 0.71 meters for men and 0.65 to 0.67 meters for women.
  2. Weight: The ball weighs between 400 and 450 grams.

Additional Features

  1. Team Benches: Located on the pool deck for players not in the water.
  2. Shot Clocks: To keep track of the possession time, typically set to 30 seconds.
  3. Scoreboards: To display the game score, time remaining, and other relevant information.

Water Temperature

  1. Temperature: The water temperature is usually maintained between 25-28°C (77-82°F) to ensure player comfort.

Related Water Standards

  1. American Water Works
  2. NSF International Pool, Spa & Recreational Waters
  3. NFPA Electric Shock Drowning

“Waterpolo 3” Mario Arroyave, 2013. © Mario Arroyave, courtesy the artist and Artemisa Contemporary Latin American Art, New York.

Water Polo Pool Dimensions & Drawings

Ann Arbor Huron Water Polo | Washtenaw County

 

“Jubilee” George Whitefield Chadwick

September 19, 2024
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