FERRUM, VA, June 10, 2025 – Dr. Tim Durham, associate professor of crop science, traveled to Ecuador from May 3 to May 10, 2025. With the University of Florida’s Doctor of Plant Medicine (D.P.M.) Program (his graduate alma mater), he visited a variety of agricultural operations and explored the development of a feeder program between Ferrum College and the D.P.M. program, as well as an exchange initiative with ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral).
An alumni representative on the D.P.M. program’s external advisory council, Durham joined six DPM students, an alum, and the program director on a plant health tour. Dr. Lisbeth Espinoza of ESPOL, also a D.P.M. alum, organized the tour and accompanied the participants.
Though often misunderstood as a type of ethnobotany–using plant botanicals to combat human ailments, the D.P.M. degree is the functional equivalent of a medical doctor or doctor of veterinary medicine. Graduates are holistic practitioners, diagnosing the living or nonliving factors that underlie plant illness. They then “write a prescription” to therapeutically or preventatively combat the problem. They serve as consultants, academics, and regulators, working in research and development in industry or other fields.
The group visited a banana farm, the MARS candy company’s cacao plantation, and dragonfruit and rose farms. They also enjoyed viewing indigenous flora and fauna at the National Botanical Garden and visited Centro Internacional de la Papa (International Potato Center), while finding time for some sightseeing in the historic Quito City Center. Durham explained that the trip started at sea level “in Guayaquil, peaking (pun intended) with an excursion to the Andes Mountains (11,000 ft above sea level), and culminated with a trip to relaxing hot springs.” In the mountains, a team of indigenous women prepared a typical lunch, drawn from their local bounty.
Participants gave two concurrent talks to ESPOL undergraduate students on entomology and crop protection. Durham also laid the groundwork for a potential exchange program with Ferrum College.
“As an alum, it’s a delight to interact with the next generation,” said Durham, “working with them in real time to hone their diagnostic skills. We were introduced to longstanding plant health issues in diverse ecoregions spanning multiple subcultures, all under one flag. These types of excursions are designed to build capacity–past, present, and future–to lift this fledgling field into the mainstream. In light of continued concerns about food security and sustainability, the D.P.M. program couldn’t be timelier. As one of only three agriculture schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I’m hopeful that Ferrum can host ESPOL students and serve as a feeder institution for the D.P.M. program.”
“At Ferrum College, we believe in the power of collaboration to expand horizons and deepen impact,” said President Mirta Martin. “Dr. Durham’s work with the D.P.M. program and ESPOL not only strengthens our academic partnerships but also positions Ferrum as a gateway for students to engage in meaningful, cross-cultural scientific exploration.”
An album of Durham’s photographs from the trip can be found here.
About the photograph: Ferrum College Associate Professor of Crop Science Tim Durham (in the gray hoodie) stands with other tour group members in a farm field in Ecuador.
