|  MAEF Announces 2009 Urban Youth Garden Grant Winners
This year MAEF received a record number of extraordinary Urban Youth Garden Grant proposals from schools and organizations working with students in grades kindergarten through high school. The goal of the Edible Classroom Youth Gardening Project is to increase the awareness of and appreciation for agriculture in the lives of urban students through hands-on gardening and classroom activities that correlate with Maryland State Department of Education's Voluntary State Curriculum.
Each grant proposal had unique goals and objectives. The ideas ranged from simply showing how food is grown to sharing their produce with the less fortunate. One proposal was even international in nature. One element that they all had in common was MAEF's mission to increase the awareness of an appreciation for agriculture in the daily lives of Marylanders.
The 2009 MAEF Urban Youth Garden Grant recipients are:
Hampstead Hill Academy - Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS)
Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) - Baltimore
Fallstaff Elementary/Middle -BCPSS
Berwyn Heights Elementary - Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS)
Roland Park Elementary/Middle- BCPSS
Kennedy Krieger High School Career and Technology Center - Baltimore
Living Classroom Foundation - Baltimore
Baltimore Friends School - Baltimore
Gardenville Elementary - BCPSS
The Green School of Baltimore - BCPSS
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle - BCPSS
William Paca Elementary - BCPSS
Cardinal Shehan School - Baltimore
Baltimore Freedom Academy - BCPSS
Village Learning Place - Baltimore
Congratulations to all of this year's grant recipients! |
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|  Each issue of MAEF's Flash News will highlight an organization or individual who demonstrates exceptional support of agriculture in education.
Walkersville's "Spring into Ag" event, held April 25, was an exemplary model program of how to integrate Ag education into all grade levels. The classroom curriculum was developed as a colaborative effort between the elementary, middle and high school educators.
A unique blend of the imagination and energy from Frederick County's Walkersville High School teachers Sarah Welty and Greg Stull and their high school FFA students, led by senior Mandi Ramsburg, provided over 500 Walkersville Elementary students with an educational, fun-filled day of learning about agriculture.
Each grade level from the elementary school, led by Walkersville Middle School FFA Club tour guides, experienced a variety of Ag related activities that supported the elementary classroom curriculum. Huge painted cut-outs of dairy cows by breeds were "milked", puzzles and math activities were completed, seeds were planted, live farm animals (horses, goats, chicken, and sheep) were on display and students looked for "a needle in a haystack" and participated in egg relay races.
The creativity of the high school FFA students, the organization of the event and the totally hands-on experiences for the elementary students created a sensational day for all participants. Agriculture in education was at its best on a beautiful spring day!
This innovative program is a great model for other school districts around the State to use to incorporate Ag education into the curriculum.
For all of their continued support of agricultural education, we recognize Walkersville Elementary, Middle and High Schools and Walkersville FFA.
 Walkersville FFA member Mandi Ramsburg and Walkersville High School teacher Greg Stull enjoy the "Spring into Ag" event.
500 Walkersville Elementary students enjoyed an educational, fun-filled day of learning about agriculture.  | |  Grants Available for 2009-2010 School Year! Several Mobile Science Lab Grants for schools, that have never had a mobile lab visit their school, are available for the 2009-2010 school year. A generous gift from the Maryland Grain Producer's Utilization Board and Maryland Fair Board have made it possible for MAEF to reduce the cost of a mobile lab to a new school as a way of introducing this hands-on science program. If your school is interested, please contact Diana Tyler at 410-939-9030 or Jeanne Mueller at 410-848-4745. Do not wait to call - grants are limited in number. | |  Check It Out!
Several folks have forwarded this website to Peggy Eppig, MAEF's Middle School Director. Here is what she has to say about the website. "Too much here to describe. HAVE FUN ROOTING AROUND! I did!" So check the it out and see all of the great things that the website has to offer.
| |  Congratulations Buddy Hance!
Governor Martin O'Malley announced the appointment of Deputy Secretary Earl "Buddy" Hance as Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, and thanked Roger Richardson for his dedicated service to the State of Maryland and his work in the agricultural community. Roger Richardson announced that he would retire to travel and to spend more time with his family. His last day is May 5. A fourth generation Southern Maryland farmer, Earl F. Hance was selected as Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture in February 2007. Prior to this appointment, he served most recently as president of the Maryland Farm Bureau. For more information visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website www.mda.state.md.us. MAEF would like to thank Roger Richardson for his support of agriculture in education thoughout the years. MAEF is pleased that Secretary Hance has been a long-time supporter of agriculture in education. We look forward to working with Mr. Hance advancing his initiatives. |
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