Isaacs’ impact on Delaware agriculture

The 347-acre Carvel Center campus is the perfect example of a land-grant university’s tripartite mission in action: teaching, research and extension outreach. Isaacs ensured that the center's research and services reflect UD's commitment to the agriculture community and the people of southern Delaware.

“We’re among the most well-equipped research stations in the country,” Isaacs said. “And it’s because of the State of Delaware supporting us.”

As director of Carvel, Isaacs oversaw agronomic and vegetable research and Cooperative Extension projects on more than 460 acres on the Thurman Adams Jr. Research Farm, Warrington Farm, and the Jones Hamilton Environmental Poultry Research House in Sussex County. During his tenure, the Carvel Center expanded with new construction. Additional resources like irrigation research and infrastructure, and the expansion and remodeling of Lasher Lab, the primary poultry diagnostic laboratory for the State of Delaware’s $4.4 billion poultry industry, came online. Staff say that Isaacs’ care and maintenance of the Carvel Center was contagious, and after 20 years, the facility still looks brand new.

R.C. Willin of Willin Farms, a fifth-generation family farming operation located west of Seaford, worked with Isaacs in several capacities. Willin Farm hosts and co-manages crop and soil trials with UD. Willin said that as Delaware became an agricultural powerhouse, the increased yields and productivity presented new challenges for area farms.

“It was a dream of Mark’s to have a full complement of the various disciplines involved in production agriculture represented at the Carvel Center,” Willin said.

Isaacs recruited experts, such as state extension specialists like Alyssa K. Betts, Nate Bruce, David Owens, Jarrod Miller and Mark VanGessel, and stationed them in Sussex County. Willin said having access to this panel of experts who educate the public and work together on complex issues benefits agriculture in Delaware. 

“Delmarva Farmers hoping to increase productivity while remaining good stewards of the land can access a tremendous knowledge base through Carvel and extension services,” Willin said. “As a result, Delaware producers are some of the most educated producers in the country.”

Isaacs’ great strengths were in building experience and connections across Delaware agriculture.

“The thing I’ve been most successful at is garnering resources — building industry connections and stakeholder support, working with state legislators and networking,” Isaacs said. 

Wes Page, manager at Helena Agi-Enterprises, a leading agricultural and specialty formulator and distributor, agrees. 

“Mark’s efforts to create funding with county officials led to opportunities for internships for two students who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to intern with us,” said Page, who added that one of the students is now working for Helena. The other will return as an intern. “As a company, we owe a lot of our success with our UD interns to him, and we will certainly miss his presence at the University of Delaware.”

Isaacs’ efforts resulted in funding for several projects, including the Jones Hamilton Poultry Research Facility. His relationships with the Delaware State Legislature fostered support for constructing the current home of the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center, named in honor of the former governor and his wife. Isaacs was also instrumental in securing a commitment from Sussex County to fund $10,000 annually toward student internships.

Cultivating the next generation

Isaacs viewed internships as a critical part of a student’s undergraduate experience; he firmly believed in the benefit of developing professional skills alongside academics.

“I help students understand the challenges and the opportunities that exist in the agricultural industry,” Isaacs said. “By the year 2050, we will need to feed 10 billion people. We’re not getting any more land, and the number of farmers isn't increasing. We need to embrace technology and increase efficiency while being good stewards of the environment.”

Isaacs cultivated opportunities for UD students. In the past 10 years, Isaacs connected 52 students with paid internships. Through partnerships with state agencies, the Sussex County Council, regional agribusinesses and UD colleagues, Isaacs’ students have interned at places like Helena Agri-Enterprises, Willard Agri Services, Arbor Care, UD Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Isaacs secured annual funding from the Sussex County Council for the Sussex County Internship Program. He even developed student housing on the Carvel Center campus to support students working at summer internships.

Agriculture is Delaware’s top economic driver, and many of Isaacs’ internships directly resulted in offers of full-time employment.

Another way Isaacs helped students explore career options was the Ready Set Grow Career Showcase, an industry-specific career planning and personal development event for CANR students. Isaacs created the event alongside Michele Walfred, a communications specialist and two-time UD alumna. These college-focused showcases allow students to network with representatives from agricultural and natural resources companies, organizations and agencies. 

Maci Carter, a Class of 2024 alumna, attended many of these CANR events while at UD.

“Ready Set Grow was a great opportunity to advance my career,” said Carter, who graduated as a double major in plant science and agriculture and natural resources. “The experience made me more comfortable talking to potential employers and giving my personal elevator speech, which I learned about in Dr. Isaacs’ class.”

Isaacs developed the course Understanding Today’s Agriculture (AGRI130) for first-year undergraduate students. The class offers a broad overview of Delaware agriculture and its associated industries and includes field trips to local farms, laboratories and equipment suppliers.

Isaacs also taught two senior capstone courses. Students sought his guidance on cover letters and often requested letters of recommendation. Isaacs celebrated every student’s win. 

“I’ve received amazing thank you cards and emails from students about their job offer and the difference I’ve made in their lives,” Isaacs said, smiling. “To me, that’s worth more than anything.”

One of those students is Miranda Farnum. The Class of 2024 alumna was a precision agriculture intern at Hoober Inc. 

“I asked about shadowing the company, but Hoober did not have an intern program,” said Farnum, who majored in agriculture and natural resources. “Dr. Isaacs worked his magic and convinced them to take me on.”

Advancing agriculture in Delaware

Isaacs' dedication to the University of Delaware and his positive impact on students, research, and Delaware agriculture cannot be understated. But he knows teamwork makes the dream work when advancing agriculture in the first state.

“I could not have done what I’ve done for agriculture without the teamwork of the legislators who have worked closely with me over the years and the amazing staff and faculty here at Carvel,” Isaacs said.