Southern, Catonsville and Phoenix CASE programs ask council for $70,000 to sustain hands-on agriculture instruction

Students, parents and teachers from Southern High School, Catonsville North and Phoenix Academy asked the County Council on May 14 to fund $70,000 for the county’s three CASE (Career and Agricultural Science Education) agriculture programs.

Speakers described the programs’ hands-on instruction in hydroponics, aquaponics, greenhouse maintenance and career-development activities. Stacy Scofield, a parent and school librarian, said the program "has given my sons direction, purpose, and experiences that they otherwise would not have had" and described state and national FFA competition participation. Sam Morland, Southern High School FFA chapter president, and Stacy Echols, an ag science teacher and advisor, said the funding would upgrade instructional labs, maintain greenhouses and enable students to attend competitions and leadership events that they otherwise must fundraise for.

Why it matters: proponents portrayed the CASE programs as providing career pathways, leadership development and hands-on STEM-aligned instruction that county funding would help sustain and expand. Teachers noted state-level successes and student officer placements and asked the council to support "amendment number 20" to invest in the programs.

Next steps: the request was presented during the FY26 budget public hearing; the council will consider capital and operating amendments as part of budget deliberations.

Ending: The council recorded the testimony for consideration; no funding decision was made at the May 14 hearing.