The 7th-grade students of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools were invited to participate in a once in a lifetime educational experience to learn about Maryland’s number one industry, agriculture. As our population continues to grow, agriculture is crucial for our survival; therefore, a coalition of agricultural educators, professionals, and youth involved in 4-H and FFA joined together to host an educational experience for all 7th-grade students across our county.
This coalition hosted the 8th annual “Agriculture Awareness Day” on Wednesday, April 9th, attended by Stevensville and Matapeake Middle schools. They were followed by Centreville and Sudlersville Middle schools on Thursday, April 10th. The program utilizes the Next Generation Science Standards and Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards to educate students about agriculture. With the use of educational stations throughout the day, students are fully involved in activities covering a variety of industries within agriculture while being introduced to the career opportunities within.
Recognition for sponsors and volunteers:
- Horizon Farm Credit
- Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation
- Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board
- Maryland Soybean Board
- Mid-Atlantic 4 R Alliance
- Queen Anne’s County Board of Education
- Queen Anne’s County Farm Bureau
- Queen Anne’s Soil Conservation District
- University of Maryland Extension
- University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center
- Upper Shore Regional Council
- A Sure Bet Farm
- Atlantic Tractor
- Black Dog Farms
- BR Poultry
- Bright Star Farm
- Chicken Creek Farm
- Choptank Electric Coopertive
- Clover Seeds 4-H Club
- Cockspur Farm Highland Cattle
- Cohey Farms
- Crow Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Delmarva Chicken Association
- Farm to Market 4-H Club
- Goat Club 4-H Club
- Go-Getters 4-H Club
- Growmark FS
- Hoober, Inc.
- Humble Hearts Catering & Events
- King Show Lambs
- Kreider Dairy Farms
- Maryland Dairy Princess Association
- Maryland Department of Agriculture
- Maryland Sea Grant
- Mountaire Farms
- Maltby Veterinarian Services
- Nagel Crop Insurance
- National Chicken Council
- Patterson Dairy Farm
- PepUp, Inc.
- Pony Express 4-H Club
- QACTV – Queen Anne’s County Television
- Queen Anne’s County 4-Her’s
- Queen Anne’s County 4-H All Stars
- Queen Anne’s County Commissioners
- Queen Anne’s County Economic Development
- Queen Anne’s County Government
- Queen Anne’s County High School FFA members
- Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners
- Queen Anne’s County Volunteer Fire & EMS
- Queenstown Lions Club
- Scout Applicators, LLC
- Shear Joy Acres
- Sheubrooks Family Farms
- Stony Knoll Farm
- Sudlersville Ruritan
- Tidewater Seed
- Tomahawk Farms Land Services & Tomahawk Drones
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- WintAcres Dairy Farm
- Wheaton Show Pigs
This educational experience was held at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park during school hours. Local educators facilitated these stations and interacted with students to provide awareness on the diversity of agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula. Stations covered agriculture’s ever-changing technology, food safety, pollinators, aquaculture, animal production, career opportunities and grains grown in the county and their uses.
Our team is here to serve the public and provide awareness, so we encourage anyone to contact our agriculture organizations for more information. Learn more about our team below.
Contributors:
Jenny Rhodes
Principal Agent, Agriculture & Food Systems, University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s County
2025 Quote: “The long-term success of the agriculture industry depends on engaging and educating the next generation. Agriculture Awareness Day in Queen Anne’s County directly addresses this by introducing 7th graders to the wide world of agriculture and its career possibilities. We are dedicated to providing an increasingly interactive and hands-on educational experience each year. The support of University of Maryland Extension educators statewide highlights the collective commitment to this program, and it’s inspiring to see our community unite for this vital goal.”
Jessica Clarke, Crop Insurance Agent, Horizon Farm Credit
2025 Quote: “The Agriculture Awareness Day is an event that really connects our kids in the county with our strong agriculture community. They see so much agriculture around them every day and it is exciting to be able to have this event to connect them to that diverse agriculture right in their backyards. The agriculture industry has shaped me into the person I am today, which is why I enjoy being able to give back and advocate for the industry. With hopes to spark students’ interest in future college or career pathways in agriculture. It amazes me at the 100 plus volunteers we get each day from throughout the community that are willing to do the same. This event wouldn’t be possible without all of them!”
Michael Page
QACPS, Supervisor of Instruction
Environmental Literacy / Health / Physical Education / Science
2025 Quote: “This has been another outstanding Agricultural Awareness Day. The Maryland Extension office and the Queen Anne’s County farm community continue to provide an engaging and exciting day for our students!”
Connie Dean
Workforce Development Administrator at
QAC Economic & Tourism Development
2025 Quote: “As the career station coordinator, I had the pleasure of hearing numerous students say they never knew about many of these careers represented, or how to know what job skills they are good at – or not. It is hands-on experiences like these, as well as this direct connection between students and our workforce/businesses that make such an impact on career awareness of our youth. and their career decision making journey.”
Dr. Patty Saelens
QAC Public Schools
Superintendent of Schools
2025 Quote: “The University of Maryland Extension continues to be a valuable partner in building agricultural awareness for our students in QACPS. Their thoughtful approach and design of Ag Day provides invaluable learning opportunities. We appreciate all the volunteers that work hard to make this a successful event.”