EDUCATION        LEADERSHIP

EDUCATION

ü NEW Maryland Agriculture Video Development – Maryland Department of Agriculture - $100,000

Given the lack of understanding of the general public about modern day farming practices, a documentary will be produced about agriculture targeted to MPT audiences.  Modern grain production will be featured within the general Maryland agriculture theme as farmer profiles present the faces and issues behind America’s essential agricultural industry. 

ü NEW Kid’s Country Farm Exhibit  – Port Discovery Children’s Museum - $15,000

Kids’ Country Farm will expose children ages 2-10 to the ways in which their lives are connected to the people, plants, animals, and activities found on a farm. For many children, especially those from Baltimore City, Kids’ Country Farm will provide their first exposure to nature, rural lifestyles, and agricultural practices that impact their daily lives.  Exhibit elements will include grain elevator and silo, harvest field, horse stable, chicken coop and cow milking areas. Primary exhibit messages include the growth, care and importance of plants; food and product origins.  Exhibits will be minds-on, hands-on, learning activities that support the Maryland state curriculum.  Port Discovery has over 250,000 visitors a year.

ü NEW Soundbooks on Grain Farmers –Maryland Department of Agriculture - $5,000

Add short videos on grain production to the sequence being filmed by Ed Remsberg as part of the Maryland’s Best program.  These will appear on MDA website and be posted to Facebook and You Tube.  The project will produce 4-5 minute videos to address conservation practices, nutrient management, and the value of ethanol.

ü NEW The Whole Grains Story of Corn, Wheat and Barley – Laser Letters, Inc. - $69,250

This grant supports the development, production and distribution of an activity booklet, video, website and essay contest designed to teach Maryland fourth and fifth graders about the wonderful world of agriculture and the important and surprising role of grains- corn, wheat and barley-in their lives. Three main characters (Corn, Wheat and Barley) will be developed who will deliver a positive message to children on the impact of grain in their diets and in many of the products they use daily. Next, 30,000 activity booklets and support materials will be produced and disseminated to education organizations including MAEF, county school systems, county Extension offices, and 4-H instructors. The message will be reinforced through video and web, culminating in an essay contest.

ü NEW Where Does It Come From? Book  - Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation - $11,286

The development, production and distribution of an activity booklet, video, website and essay contest designed to teach Maryland fourth and fifth graders about the wonderful world of agriculture and the important and surprising role of grains – corn, wheat and barley – in their lives. Goals are to development three main characters (Corn, Wheat and Barley) who will deliver a positive message to children on the impact of grain in their diets and in many of the products they use daily; then produce and distribute 30,000 activity booklets and support materials to education organizations including MAEF, county school systems, county Extension offices, and 4-H instructors.; Reinforce the message, through video and web, culminating in an essay contest with winning child (and parents) attending the Maryland Commodity Classic in July 2012 to accept the award.

ü NEW AGsploration – “The Science of Maryland Agriculture” – University of Maryland Extension - $4,300

The Science of Maryland Agriculture is a program being designed by University of Maryland Extension to bolster middle school students’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) abilities while learning the importance of agriculture.  The AGsploration team will conduct three 2-day overnight Summer Science Career institutes for 200 middle school aged youth in summer 2011. Through agro-science and technology based curriculum, students will gain a greater understanding of agricultural production, environmental, and nutrition issues in Maryland; Maryland residents’ awareness, appreciation and support of agriculture, and their appreciation of science in their everyday lives will increase.  The AGsploration Winter Institute will teach how to use curriculum and pilot test with ag agents; teacher training in spring/summer 2012.

ü NEW University of Maryland Agronomy Newsletter – University of Maryland - $5,000

The Agronomy Newsletter is part of the effort by the University of Maryland Extension (UME) to continue to provide farmers with production information while UME faces issues related to downsizing.  The biweekly newsletter features pertinent crop production topics ad is distributed statewide via electronic and bulk mail outlets. 

ü NEW Winter Barley Breeding Program – Oregon State University - $500

Featured at the 20^th North American Barley Workers Research Workshop, the Winter Barley Breeding Program will include topics of barley foods and beverages, and provide information useful to a range of participants.

ü NEW Cattleman’s Skillathon – Maryland Cattleman’s Association - $500

The Maryland Livestock Skill-A-Thon is held in conjunction with the annual Maryland Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Hagerstown, Maryland. The statewide youth contest is an innovative, educational event for Maryland 4-H and FFA youth that encompasses all aspects of animal husbandry, management and science.   A team is then identified from Maryland to compete in the National Livestock Skill-A-Thon competition held each October.

ü  Wheat Promotion - Wheat Foods Council - $16,000

“How Wheat Works” is the unique invention and program by the Wheat Foods Council.  It is an excellent, online course teaching agriculture and nutrition to those who might never be on a farm. In 2011 the website will be updated with new extensions and better marketing.  A teacher’s guide will be added to deliver more nutrition messages to students. To halt the childhood obesity crisis, proper nutrition and physical activity are the only solutions and WFC can assist through nutrition education while informing the audience how wheat becomes a food product.  An educational tool kit will be revised and offered online, in the teachers section, as part of the virtual tour.

ü  Enhancing Maryland-Grown Wheat Consumption for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland - $18,000

Health beneficial activities are critical marketing factors for food ingredients. The goal of this research is to promote the value-added consumption of Maryland-grown soft wheat varieties in all natural functional foods. In this study, the biological properties of different wheat samples and products will be estimated and used for enhancing the consumption of these foods. In addition, more all natural functional food recipes will be developed and optimized. Sensory acceptability of whole wheat functional foods rich in antioxidant will also be assessed. 

 ü  Kids Growing with Grains for Fourth Graders - Frederick County Extension Advisory Council - $4,000 

Children, teachers, and parents of Maryland 4th graders learn about grain utilization in animal science, the importance of grain products for good nutrition, and grain production through hands-on activities.  Separate portable programs are being developed for in school use to bring the project into the classroom, as well as to use the materials at fairs and other event exhibits.

ü  Close Encounters with Agriculture - Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Office - $4,000

Students in 4th grade are offered hands-on learning at the Extension office farm park in areas of environment, nutrition and production agriculture. Teaching packets with additional learning activities are provided.

ü  Tri-County Middle School Grains Education Program – Frederick County Extension, $10,000

This project is a continuation of the 2010 Tri-County Middle School Grains Education Program. The grant will teach students how who grains can help prevent chronic disease and control weight. Additionally they will taste whole grain food products and participate in a hands-on laboratory experience on how to prepare foods with whole grain ingredients.  The goal is to reach 5300 high school students in 31 schools from three Maryland public school systems – Carroll, Frederick and Howard County. Targeted students are enrolled in Family and Consumer Science foods, nutrition classes, and Career and Technology culinary arts classes.

ü  National Agriculture Day - Agriculture Council of America - $500

Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and others come together with a single mission: to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture.  As part of the National Ag Day on March 15, organizers will send 100 high school students to Washington to carry the message of Ag Day to leaders, key influences, and the media.  Ag Day materials and tools include a website, media and classroom resources, public service announcements, Ag Day Poster, Planning Guide and Fact Cards.

LEADERSHIP

ü  Maryland Envirothon - Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts - $9,000

The Maryland Envirothon program is a competitive natural resource education program for high school students, carried out through local soil conservation districts. It supplements local school’s science curriculum with hands on field based activity and instruction by natural resource professionals. During competition, students are trained and tested in five natural resource areas; forestry, aquatics, soils, wildlife and a current issue, which for 2011 is Salt and Fresh Water Estuaries.  The students train throughout the year for competition with an adult advisor, aided by the various natural resource professionals from each area. Students compete progressively for scholarship money and prizes at the school, county, state and finally the North American level. Begun in 1979, the Envirothon has now spread 21 of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

ü  Maryland's Agricultural Leadership Development Program - LEAD Maryland - $55,000

LEAD Maryland's two-year program is designed to prepare emerging leaders to make a difference in areas of education, research, marketing and promotion, and improving the image and effectiveness of agriculture. Outcomes will be everything from having legislative representatives more responsible to the needs of Maryland farmers, to having stronger leadership serving our current agricultural and community organizations.

ü  Enhancing the Education & Development of Maryland Youth - Maryland FFA Foundation - $10,000

High school students develop vital leadership skills by participating in Maryland FFA programs.  This grant provides support for career development events, group functions, and proficiency awards at the state convention.  Additionally it supports leadership development through the sponsorship of training and workshops. 

ü  Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program – MD Association of Soil Conservation Districts - $30,000

This project expands the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program (FSCAP) that is currently operational and certifying farmers that are in compliance with nutrient management regulations and implementing best management practices.  To date 11 farmers are certified in Washington, Frederick, Carroll and Baltimore counties.  In 2011 the program will expand to the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland, focusing on priority watersheds 

ü Support for Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board - Maryland Grain Producers Association - $140,000

The Maryland Grain Producers Association is the member organization of the grain producers in the state.  It informs members through informational newsletters, conducts the Annual Commodity Classic to promote grain activities, promotes the expanded utilization of grain, and expands education efforts on grain and agriculture through exhibits, displays, workshops, promotional campaigns, social media and website (www.marylandgrain.com).  ($70,000 allotted to Market Development)