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County schools, UMD Extension highlight agricultural awareness day, name student logo contest winners
Summary
District and University of Maryland Extension presenters described the county's Agricultural Awareness Day for seventh graders, announced logo‑contest winners and shared evaluation results showing knowledge gains from hands‑on stations.
Presenters for Queen Anne's County Public Schools and the University of Maryland Extension told the Board of Education on July 2 that the district's Agricultural Awareness Day reached hundreds of seventh‑grade students and emphasized hands‑on learning, community partnerships and career exposure.
"The contest invited all seventh‑grade students who participated in our annual agricultural awareness day to design a logo that reflected the spirit of Maryland agriculture with themes of education, sustainability, and community," said Michael Page, supervisor of instruction for Queen Anne's County Public Schools. Page announced the logo contest winners and details of the program.
Contest winners named at the meeting were: - First place: Ella Harris — prize $300, logo to be featured on next year's Agriculture Awareness Day T‑shirt; a family member received the award on her behalf. - Second place: Aubrey Drinker — prize $200 and fair concessions. - Third place: Maddie Schrader — prize $100 and fair concessions.
Presenters from the University of Maryland Extension — including Jenny Rhodes, the county agriculture agent; Lee Bridgeman, program assistant; and intern Macy Cook — described the structure of Agricultural Awareness Day. Stations included aquaculture (including oyster and underwater‑drone learning), grain/tractor technology, careers (local businesses demonstrating hands‑on activities), farm animals (with FFA and 4‑H student leaders), food safety and pollination. Presenters said older students, FFA and 4‑H members and master gardeners help staff the stations, and that the event relied on more than 100 volunteers per day.
Page and Extension staff also described evaluation work. Page said the program used pre‑ and post assessments; presenters reported 424 students participated in the pre‑test and 354 in the post‑test. The presentation cited increases in knowledge about aquaculture and that 73% of students "agree or strongly agree" with the statement that farmers use less chemicals, fertilizer and fuel with the aid of GPS, drones and other technology.
The presenters noted community support from local businesses and organizations, a recent Mockingbird Foundation grant of $5,900 to Bayside Elementary's music program for keyboards and MIDI controllers, and county/UpShore Regional Council assistance with event funding. They said the Extension has IRB‑reviewed survey questions and plans to publish evaluation findings and a handbook to share the model with other counties; Cecil and Caroline counties have already expressed interest in adopting elements of the program.
Board members thanked presenters and asked to be notified of next year's event dates so they can attend. Page invited board members, county officials and legislators to request a personal tour of the event when it occurs.
Ending: Presenters said they look forward to expanding evaluation and producing materials other districts can use; the board meeting then moved on to other agenda items.
