MAEF Flash News

www.marylandfarmtoschool.org

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation | PO Box 536 | Havre de Grace | MD | 21078

Flash News from Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

2009-09-04T15:28:00.001-04:00

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

Promoting the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

September 2009 Flash News

Dates to Remember:

Sept. 14 - 18: Homegrown School Lunch Week

Sept. 15: MAEF & MGGA Golf Tournament

www.maefonline.com

Sept. 16: Non-Formal Educator's Workshop at Swan Harbor

Sept. 17 - 20: Eastern States Exposition

www.mdffa.org

Sept. 26: University of Maryland AGNR Tailgate at the Campus Farm

Terps vs. Rutgers

www.agnr.umd.edu

Oct. 25: MAEF & LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc. Sporting Clay Shoot

Nov. 5: MAEF 21st Annual Banquet & Auction

MAEF and MGGA:
Two great state agricultural non-profit organizations. One great golf tournament.

Still Time to Register!

Join us for a spectacular day on the links of the Oakmont Green Golf Club. The fun-filled day will benefit the outreach programs of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of the Maryland Greenhouse Grower's Association and ... "working toward our Industry's future today by training our leaders, educators and workers of tomorrow".

FEES
(Includes lunch, greens fees & cart, beverages, supper, prizes & awards.)
Single player...........$100.00
Supper only...............$30.00

   Bronze Tee Sponsor $150
*Handsome Sponsorship tee sign during tournament play
*Recognition in event booklet, MGGA and MAEF publications and websites

   Silver Tee Sponsor $250
All of the above, plus
*Recognition at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium
*Recognition at the 21st Annual Banquet and Auction

   Gold Tee Sponsor $500
All of the above, plus
*A foursome
or
*2 tickets to the 21st Annual Banquet and Auction (MAEF)
or
*Courtesy vendor sponsorship, one registration, and vendor display table ($250 value) at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium and standing recognition at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium opening         ceremonies (MGGA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hole-In-One-Prize is a Kawasaki 4X4 Mule (valued at $10,000) sponsored by Ceresville New Holland, Inc. of Frederick.

For more information and registration, visit www.maefonline.com or www.mdgga.org.

Show Your Support!

Buy an Agricultural License Plate Today!

Visit www.mva.state.md.us and click on online services for a link to the Agricultural Plate application.

Thank You For Your Support!

Congratulations!

Leasa Gudderra, MAEF's Assistant Director of High School and Post Secondary Programs, has been selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree. This award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond the valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well being of the nation.

Gudderra will travel to Indianapolis to receive the honor during an onstage presentation at the 82nd National FFA Convention, held Oct. 21-24, 2009. All recipients will receive a certificate, a medal and their names will be permanently recorded.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Each issue of MAEF's Flash News highlights an organization or individual who demonstrates exceptional support of agriculture in education.

Summer may be coming to an end, but it is just the beginning for the 23 young women across Maryland who have been honored with the title of Ag Ambassador. The young women, between the ages of 16 and 19, have earned their titles by winning their county Farm Bureau-sponsored contests.

Throughout the year, the Ag Ambassadors will be present at county and statewide events to represent agriculture. These events offer the Ambassadors the chance to educate Marylanders on the vital role that agriculture plays in their daily lives.

Rachel Miller, of Clinton in Prince George's County, was named Miss Maryland Agriculture 2009 at the Maryland State Fair. Ms. Miller lives on and assists with the day-to-day operations of her family's 270-acre fruit, vegetable, wheat, straw and flower farm that has been farmed by her ancestors since the 1840's.

As Miss Maryland Agriculture 2009, Miller will be present throughout the run of the Maryland State Fair to award prizes, and meet with fairgoers, dignitaries, and media representatives. Her responsibilities will continue throughout the year, as she will participate in a number of activities representing Maryland agriculture.

The Southern Maryland counties were well represented in the Miss Maryland Agriculture 2009 contest. The runners up, whose duties include support for Miller, are as follows:

1st Runner-up
Charles County
Jeanne Herbert

2nd runner-up
St. Mary's County
Noelle Barnes

3rd Runner-up
Harford County
Elyse Hladky

4th Runner-up
Baltimore County
Ruthie Miller

For all of their hard work and dedication, MAEF would like to recognize all of Maryland's Ag Ambassadors.

Miss Maryland Agriculture 2009, Rachel Miller

A Day in the Garden...

The Ag Returns to the City program had the opportunity to join forces with some of the students and teachers at Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary School to work in their school garden. The students, along with school counselor Jeannette Gaither and Sandy Robson of the Community Greening Network, planted various fall crops and cleaned up weeds.

The garden, containing a variety of vegetables and flowering plants, was planted by the students in May. The garden was maintained over the summer by the residents of a neighboring group home and school staff members such as school principal James Linde. Since the garden's establishment squash, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce and many flowers have been harvested by the students, including a basketball-sized pumpkin.

During the school year the garden is used in several capacities. Gaither works with students in the garden as a reward to some students, but also can be a timeout session for others. Art teacher Elisabeth Gambino uses materials from the garden in student art projects. Gambino also is planning art projects, such as stepping stones and a bird bath that can be used in the garden.

Sharp-Leadenhall is part of Baltimore City Public Schools. It is a special education school that serves students in Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Fun at the Fair!

MAEF collaborated with 4-H, the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Maryland Dairy Princess Association and the Maryland State Fair to organize the U-Learn Farm at the Maryland State Fair Aug. 28 - Sept. 7.

The U-Learn Farm offers families with children a large area in the Cow Palace filled with hands-on activities. Activities include ice cream making, butter churning and making grain art.

MAEF is also offering the Agsploration Passport to fair attendees. The Passport is a scavenger hunt that takes participants through the Ag buildings at the fair to find answers to nine questions. Participants will be rewarded with a prize from various state commodity groups when they present a completed passport card at the Maryland Agriculture Showcase, located next to Animal World.

Come out and join MAEF at the fair! Activities at the U-Learn Farm will be available on Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday activities will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Meet the Mobile Science Lab Teachers!

Pictured from left to right: Wayne Buckingham, Norman Francis, Anita Thomas, Sharon Fox, Paul Harman and Carolyn Menne.

It Feels Good To Give!

Now there is another way for state employees to help MAEF continue to promote the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in Marylander's daily lives. MAEF is a participating agency in the 2009 Maryland Charity Campaign.

If you would like your financial contribution to go even further toward making a difference across Maryland, then please remember us when filling out the Maryland Charity Campaign form! MAEF's designation code is 3198.

Please designate your contribution to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

MAEF's designation code is 3198.

Upcoming MAEF Events (click on event for more information)

LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc and MAEF Partnerships at Work Sporting Clays Tournament

21st Annual MAEF Banquet & Auction

YES I Want to Support MAEF's Outreach Efforts Through These Challenging Economic Times!

Name:____________________________________________ Phone (___)________________________

(Please print your name as you wish it to be listed on contributor list)

Organization: __________________________________Email: ___________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________________________________

Please charge my contribution to (please circle): Visa MasterCard

Card Number: __________________________________________Expiration Date:__________________

This email was sent to mkoerner1.corinne@blogger.com by cwilliams@maefonline.com.

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www.marylandfarmtoschool.org

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation | PO Box 536 | Havre de Grace | MD | 21078

Flash News from Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

2009-08-07T10:07:00.001-04:00

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

Promoting the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

August Flash News

Dates to Remember:

Aug. 28 - Sept. 7: Maryland State Fair

Sept. 14 - 18: Homegrown School Lunch Week

Sept. 15: MAEF & MGGA Golf Tournament

Sept. 16: Non-Formal Educator's Workshop at Swan Harbor

MAEF and MGGA:
Two great state agricultural non-profit organizations. One great golf tournament.

Oct. 25: MAEF & LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc. Sporting Clay Shoot

Nov. 5: MAEF 21st Annual Banquet & Auction

FORE!

Hole-In-One-Prize is a Kawasaki 4X4 Mule (valued at $10,000) sponsored by Ceresville New Holland, Inc. of Frederick.

For more information and registration, visit www.maefonline.com or www.mdgga.org.

Show Your Support!

Buy an Agricultural License Plate Today!

Visit www.mva.state.md.us and click on online services for a link to the Agricultural Plate application.

Non-Formal Educator's Workshop at Swan Harbor Sept. 16

The Department of Natural Resources and MAEF will partner to provide a custom tailored Project Wild/Aquatic Wild/Agriculture Workshop on Wednesday Sept. 16 at Swan Harbor. This workshop is designed especially for the non-formal educator who may normally work weekends, summers and afterschool, for nature centers, Extension and experiential programs. Learn how to adapt Project Wild/ Aquatic Wild activities and lessons to complement and enrich your agricultural program, ag outreach and ag summer camps. This workshop runs from 9am till 3pm. Bring a bag lunch and dress is casual, but be prepared to go outside for some activities. Participants will get two resource guides; the basic Wild Guide and Aquatic Wild Guide - together they contain almost 300 activities! Call or email Peggy: peppig@maefonline.com or 410-939-9030 to register. Space is limited to 20 participants and is free!

Each issue of MAEF's Flash News highlights an organization or individual who demonstrates exceptional support of agriculture in education.

They say it takes a village. And in the case of Maryland's Homegrown School Lunch Week, that saying couldn't be truer. On Wednesday, July 29, 140 Maryland farmers, food service staff, parents, teachers and citizens took part in the first ever Maryland Farm to School Workshop.

The workshop, hosted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and partners, was a way to make connections and share ideas on how to boost the use of local food in Maryland Schools. The keynote speaker was Doug Davis of the Vermont Farm to School program. He has been recognized as the national School Nutrition Association's food service director of the year. Tegan Hagy of the national Farm to School Network and the Food Trust, a nonprofit agency based in Philadelphia, also presented important information and insight.

In its second year, more than 20 counties and 30 farms have been collaborating to prepare for the 2009 Homegrown School Lunch Week. The participants realize that this week is about more than just bringing local food into schools. It is also an opportunity to teach students to make healthy food choices and agriculture's impact on the economy and the environment. Students will then take home their new-found knowledge and share it with others.

This year's Homegrown School Lunch Week is September 14-18. For more information, visit www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.

For all of their hard work and dedication, MAEF would like to recognize all of those involved in making the Farm to School program a success.

Summer Doesn't Stop Students from Learning!

A group of Holibird Academy scholars decided to take advantage of the summer break to sharpen their skills at the Academy's summer program and Ag Returns to the City was there to assist. The students, ranging from Kindergarten to fifth-grade, were treated to agriculture-themed science lessons.

The students in Kindergarten through second-grade enjoyed four fun-filled "Ag"tivities about cows, chickens and flowers. The third through fifth-graders created ice cream, used baseball to learn facts about growing popcorn and used corn kernels to calculate and estimate length, diameter and circumference.

Dairy Princess Visits the City

Mariah Hill, Upper Chesapeake Dairy Princess, visited the Good Samaritan Nursing Center to share her experiences as a representative of Maryland's dairy industry. As Hill described milking cows, several residents joined in and shared their experience of life on the farm. After a brief explanation of yogurt production, everyone sampled various flavors of the creamy treat. Residents were also given the opportunity to make butter and enjoy it on fresh baked muffins.

Congratulations!

Baltimore City was represented for first time at the annual statewide Maryland Envirothon Competition held at Mt. St. Mary's University in Emmittsburg in June. A team from Western High School coached by Susanne Gray Rice audited this program with competition in five natural resource areas. The competition is an outdoor event that challenges students to identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys & solve other natural resource issues. Students enjoyed the experience and were rewarded with Rookie of the Year certificates!

Check Out These Great Sites!

National Junior Horticulture Association - http://www.njha.org

Check out the Experiments & Fun Activities page for cool things to do with students in environmental science, hort clubs & classes, biology...The Careers page is a great resource for middle and high school students who are thinking about taking their interests to the career path...Scholarships and Awards are available for members. This may be a good organization for schools to investigate and learn who is "growing" hort programs or looking for affiliations for their programs.

Garden of Learning - http://www.gardenoflearningk6.com/curriculum.htm

Year Two of this K-6 curriculum is now available. Lots of good comments on this project, especially from the new school garden crowd. Most lessons can be adapted for middle school and special needs. Good stuff here!

Hanging Gardens - http://www.hgic.umd.edu/

If your school or center is short on ground, hang your gardens instead! Easy to do and very space efficient! It would be fun to experiment with different plants to see which varieties adapt well to living at altitude!

Another Successful Year!

It was another successful update for Maryland's high school Ag teachers, held July 8-10, in Westminster, MD.

Fifty-one teachers from around Maryland spent four fun filled days learning and sharing new ideas in Ag Education. The participants rotated through workshops at Winters Mill High School covering topics such as vegetable judging, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and record keeping. The group spent an afternoon at Bear Branch Nature Center learning about Geo-caching.

An awards breakfast was held the final morning of the conference to recognize outstanding teachers in Ag education. MAEF's own David Miller was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes an individual for their outstanding contribution to agricultural education.

Maryland will be hosting the Eastern Region Summer Agriculture Educators Conference scheduled to be held at the Crowne Plaza in Rockville, MD, July 5-8, 2010.

YES I Want to Support MAEF's Outreach Efforts Through These Challenging Economic Times!

Name:____________________________________________ Phone (___)________________________

(Please print your name as you wish it to be listed on contributor list)

Organization: __________________________________Email: ___________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________________________________

Please charge my contribution to (please circle): Visa MasterCard

Card Number: __________________________________________Expiration Date:__________________

This email was sent to mkoerner1.corinne@blogger.com by cwilliams@maefonline.com.

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Buy an Agricultural License Plate Today!

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation | PO Box 536 | Havre de Grace | MD | 21078

News from Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

2009-07-10T14:25:00.001-04:00

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

Promoting the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

July Flash News

Dates to Remember

July 23: Maryland Commodity Classic

July 29: Maryland Farm to School Workshop

Sept. 15: MAEF & MGGA Golf Tournament

Oct. 25: MAEF & LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc. Sporting Clay Shoot

Nov. 5: MAEF 21st Annual Banquet & Auction

Show Your Support!

Visit www.mva.state.md.us and click on online services for a link to the Agricultural Plate application.

What if MAEF earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=869630 and search or shop. And, be sure to spread the word!

The more you search, the more money you raise!

FORE!

MAEF and MGGA:
Two great state agricultural non-profit organizations. One great golf tournament.

FEES
(Includes lunch, greens fees & cart, beverages, supper, prizes & awards.)
Single player...........$100.00
Supper only...............$30.00

Bronze Tee Sponsor $150
*Handsome Sponsorship tee sign during tournament play

*Recognition in event booklet, MGGA and MAEF publications and websites

Silver Tee Sponsor $250
All of the above, plus
*Recognition at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium

*Recognition at the 21st Annual Banquet and Auction

Gold Tee Sponsor $500
All of the above, plus
*A foursome
or
*2 tickets to the 21st Annual Banquet and Auction (MAEF)
or
*Courtesy vendor sponsorship, one registration, and vendor display table ($250 value) at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium and standing recognition at the 2010 Chesapeake Green Symposium opening ceremonies (MGGA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hole-In-One-Prize is a Kawasaki 4X4 Mule (valued at $10,000) sponsored by Ceresville New Holland, Inc. of Frederick.

For more information and registration, visit www.maefonline.com or www.mdgga.org.

Congratulations!

The 2009-2010 State Officers were announced at the 81st Maryland State FFA Convention, June 23-25, 2009.

Officers: (Bottom left to right) Allison Moore - President, Nikki Swann - Vice President, Mandi Ramsburg - Secretary. (Top left to right) Courtney Willoughby - Treasurer, Katie Wheatly - Sentinel, Tyler Yoak - Reporter.

State officers are offered the opportunity to greatly improve their leadership skills and to further improve the FFA and Agriculture Education programs in Maryland.

The Maryland FFA Association places heavy demand on its officers. Officers are required to attend conferences around the state as well as around the country. The Association insists on regular attendance at executive meetings, planning conferences and leadership schools. Additionally, officers represent the Association at all FFA activities in their home region.

For more information on the Maryland FFA Association and the state officers, visit www.mdffa.org.

Again, congratulations to the 2009-2010 Maryland FFA State Officers!

Each issue of MAEF's Flash News will highlight an organization or individual who demonstrates exceptional support of agriculture in education.

Summer is in full swing and with summer comes the many fairs and festivals around the state. The local and state fairs would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers that donate their time. The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. would like to salute the countless volunteers that make local and state fairs successful.

More than 2 million people will visit Maryland fairs this summer. Volunteers help to run the more than 350,000 exhibits that will be enjoyed. A volunteer wears many hats. They serve as sources of information, parking attendants and competition judges, just to name a few. Everywhere you look, there are volunteers sharing their knowledge and time so that fair visitors have an enjoyable experience.

"Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!" ~ author unknown

If you would like to volunteer at a fair or festival this summer, contact your local fair board.

For all of their hard work and selflessness, MAEF would like to recognize fair and festival volunteers!

Maryland Farm to School Workshop

Join the fun at Maryland's first ever state-wide Farm to School Workshop on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from 9 am - 3:30 pm, to be held at Indian Creek Upper School, 1130 Anne Chambers Rd., Crownsville, MD. Maryland farmers, food service staff, parents, teachers, and interested citizens can collaborate toward growing healthier children and a healthier economy and environment. See the new, improved website and plan for the second Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, plus other initiatives to expand children's healthy eating and strengthen the local economy.

Doug Davis - Vermont Farm to School

Tegan Hagy - The Food Trust / National Farm to School Network
Maryland leaders in school gardens, procurement partnerships, parent and student initiatives including photography and cooking contests, and how you can be involved.

To register, go to www.mdfarmtoschool.org, or register by email, regular mail or fax. Early registration by July 15, 2009 is $25; later is $35. Early registration guarantees your locally prepared lunch! Space is limited - watch for your confirmation with directions by email.

Looking for Gardening Grants? Look No Further!

National Gardening Association Invites Applications for 2009 Hooked on Hydroponics Education Grants
Deadline: September 18, 2009
The Grow Store and ProgressiveGardening.org have joined with the National Gardening Association to offer hydroponic equipment to expand indoor gardening opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students. The program will provide thirty-six schools with equipment and learning materials for hydroponics projects that involve at least fifteen children between the ages of 6 and 18 during the 2010 school year. Applicants must verify that their facility can accommodate the equipment in the award packages available.

National Gardening Association Announces Continuation of Youth Garden Grants Program
Deadline: November 2, 2009
The National Gardening Association has announced that the Home Depot is returning as the Youth Garden Grants sponsor for 2010. NGA annually awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs across the United States. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of three and 18 years. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so, but must wait one year before applying again, and must have significantly expanded their garden programs. For the 2010 grant cycle, 100 grants are available. Five programs will each receive gift cards valued at $1,000 (a $500 gift card to the Home Depot and a $500 gift card to the Gardening with Kids catalog and educational materials from NGA). Ninety-five programs will each receive a $500 gift card to the Home Depot and educational materials from NGA.

A Celebration in the Garden

For a second year, Ag Returns to the City and Holabird Academy in Baltimore City wrapped up the Agricultural Experience unit with a garden party held next to the gardens recently planted by the students and their kindergarten teacher Kathleen Richardson. The party was a culmination of five, hands-on lessons exploring different areas of Maryland agriculture.

All of the snacks at the party celebrated Maryland agriculture and buying local. Students enjoyed fresh picked strawberries from Huber's Farm in Perry Hall and a fresh salad from the garden of MAEF Educational Consultant Charles Gummer. Homemade cupcakes were freshly baked by Joan Gummer. Broom's Bloom Dairy in Churchville treated the students to ice cream, chocolate milk and cheese.

Thank you to Kathleen Richardson and her students for making this special Agriculture unit a success!

Thank You!

MAEF would like to say thank you to the Maryland Geographic Alliance (MGA) for all of their support.

MGA partnered with MAEF to sponsor the 20th Ag in The Classroom Summer Workshop and shared lessons such as Pioneer Farming, Seasons on a Farm, Producing the Produce and Maryland Farming Long Ago. The workshop, held in Westminster, was attended by 50 teachers from 14 counties and Baltimore City.

Look for a full article on the workshop in the summer edition of Opening Minds.

YES I want to Support MAEF's Outreach Efforts !

Name:____________________________________________ Phone (___)________________________

(Please print your name as you wish it to be listed on contributor list)

Organization: __________________________________Email: ___________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________________________________

Please charge my contribution to (please circle): Visa MasterCard

Card Number: __________________________________________Expiration Date:__________________

This email was sent to mkoerner1.corinne@blogger.com by cwilliams@maefonline.com.

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Buy Agricultural License Plate Today!

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation | PO Box 536 | Havre de Grace | MD | 21078

June 2009 Flash News

2009-06-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

Maryland Agricultural

Education Foundation, Inc.

Promoting the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

June Flash News

2009

Dates to Remember

June 12:

FFA State Officer interviews

June 14:

Flag Day

June 21:

First day of summer

June 21 - 25: Elementary Summer Ag in the Classroom Workshop

Westminster, MD

June 24 - 27:

National Ag in the Classroom Conference

St. Louis, MO

June 23 - 25: Maryland State FFA Convention

Linthicum Heights, MD

July 7 - 10: 2009 Agricultural Educators Technical Update

Westminster, MD

Show Your Support!

Visit www.mva.state.md.us and click on online services for a link to the Agricultural Plate application.

81st Maryland FFA Convention

June 23-25, 2009

Conference Center at the Maritime Institute

For more information

please visit www.mdffa.org/events/state

To exhibit or volunteer as a judge please contact

Matt Koerner at support@mdffa.org or 410-767-0189

What if MAEF earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations

add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=869630 and search or shop. And, be sure to spread the word!

The more you search, the more money you raise!

MAEF Announces Annual Poster Contest Winners!

MAEF is pleased to announce the 2009-2010 poster contest winners. Eighteen students' posters were chosen from hundreds of submissions to be placed in MAEF's 2009-2010 calendar. Congratulations to this year's winners!

Ellen Humbel - Frederick High School
Kelsey Marshall - Damascus High School
Ling Fang - Saint James School
Emily Lipscomb - Showell Elementary
Ally Genson - North Carroll High School
Lana Hart - Frederick High School
Danielle Ford - Saint James School
Kiersten Baumgardner - Tuscarora High School
Julia Haberstam - North Carroll High School
Antoinette Addo - Saint James School
Kylie Giordano - Bodkin Elementary
Morgan St. George - Saint James School
Alexandra Ferguson - Tuscarora High School
Luz Calderon - Frederick High School
AJ Ianniello - St. Joan of Arc
Stacy Bull - Catoctin High School
Mia Jenkins - Oakdale Middle School
Mary Morrison - Reisterstown Elementary

Maryland students used their artistic talents to share their understanding of the diversity of Maryland agriculture and the impact agriculture has on everyone's daily lives. The contest was open to all public, private and home school students in grades K-12. Winners received a $50 prize.

Thank you to all of the students who submitted posters and congratulations again to this year's winners. Stay tuned for information on the 2010-2011 contest!

Each issue of MAEF's Flash News will highlight an organization or individual who demonstrates exceptional support of agriculture in education.

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce through its Agri-Business Committee is actively pursuing avenues for supporting and enhancing agriculture in education in the region. The committee, chaired by James McNaughton of A. H. Pharma, Inc. listened to presentations from MAEF's executive director, George Mayo, Delmarva Poultry Industry education director Connie Parvis, and Parkside High CTE Center horticulture instructor, Richard McCabe. Each presenter provided insight regarding current programs and initiatives for including agriculture in education. The committee members were very attentive, asking many questions and generally assessing the opportunities for improving the current programs and introducing new programs within the region.

It is not a surprise to learn that programs thrive in school systems where the community shows strong interest. By their support and leadership, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the economic and social importance of agriculture in their community. The future growth of agriculture will require consumers, voters, future business owners, employees and leaders to be well informed about agriculture's importance.

"There is a lot of momentum (from chamber members) which is amazing to me," says Jim McNaughton. "We have been receiving positive support from realtors, lawyers and school board president Robin Holloway."

We congratulate the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and their Agri-Business Committee for their advocacy initiatives and ongoing efforts supporting agriculture in education. You can learn more about the Chamber by visiting their website at www.salisburyarea.com and Parkside High CTE by visiting http:/cte.wcbe.org.

More Schools Join the Program

Ag Returns to the City visited three new schools in May to spread the word about agriculture.

Gardenville Elementary's Kindergarten student's read the story of Jack and the Beanstalk during their first visit from Ag Returns to the City. The students colored a picture of Jack and a castle before planting three "magic" beans in soil and attaching a bamboo stalk with the castle and Jack.

The Candy Camouflage lesson was an opportunity for 3rd-graders at Furman Templeton Elementary to use the math lessons they learned throughout the school year. The students learned how animals use the environment as camouflage to protect themselves. To see just how effective camouflage is, the students conducted an experiment that used a tally sheet and bar graph.

Fourth-grade students at Alexander Hamilton made Garden Greenies during a soil lesson. The students first viewed the video Soil: Who Needs It to learn different soil types and how to conserve the natural resource. The Garden Greenies, nylon stockings that grow grass as hair, demonstrate how to keep soil cover.

Ag Returns to the City loves meeting new students and visiting new schools. For more information contact Charles Gummer at charlesgummer@verizon.net or 410-960-2979.

Some Great Sites to Explore!

Longwood Gardens Self-Directed Lessons

Check out Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, PA) self-directed activities for families and teachers. Trees and bees are on the summer slate, with changes due this fall, so check back for more great ideas. Explore the Gardens at your own pace and take the time to smell the flowers! Unlike the often hurried activities led by docents and teachers - the self-directed menu allows you focus, enriching your experience at Longwood.

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/SelfdirectedCurriculumActivities.html

My First Garden

This is a brilliant site devoted to teachers and students in the upper elementary grades, but perfectly usable as it is for teachers of special needs students and summer camp directors.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/firstgarden/

Looking for Garden Grants? Look No Further!

Gardener's Supply Invites Nominations for Garden Crusader Awards

Deadline: June 15, 2009

The Garden Crusader Awards were created by Gardener's Supply to honor individuals across the United States who are improving their communities through gardening. Awardees are enthusiastic men and women who are planting trees and flowers, growing food, creating new green spaces, and teaching their friends and neighbors about the rewards of gardening.

The award honors individuals who are improving their world by gardening. There is no age requirement. Organizations may apply by choosing one person to represent the group. Award categories include Education, Feeding the Hungry, Urban Renewal, and Restoration. There are five winners for each category - first, second, and third, plus two honorable mentions and one grand-prize winner, for a total of twenty-one winners overall. The grand-prize winner will receive $2,500 in cash and a $2,500 gift certificate from Gardener's Supply. First-place winners will receive a $1,000 gift certificate, second-place winners will receive a $750 gift certificate, third-place winners will receive a $500 gift certificate, and honorable mentions will receive a $200 gift certificate. All prizes are awarded to the winner's organization in his or her name.

Grants Encourage the Family Farming System

Deadline: Aug. 1, 2009

The mission of Farm Aid is to keep family farmers throughout the United States on their land. Farm Aid supports organizations that work to maintain a family farm system of agriculture and that promote solutions to the challenges facing rural communities. Grants are provided in the following categories: Growing the Good Food Movement supports projects that increase the interest in family farm-identified, organic, or humanely-raised food. Helping Farmers Thrive supports projects that assist farmers transitioning to more sustainable farming practices, as well as support services for farm families in crisis. Taking Action to Change the System grants enable advocates to strengthen the voices of family farmers and promote their interests on a local, regional and national level.

YES I want to Support MAEF's Outreach Efforts !

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