Summary 2023 — Maryland

State Contact

Innovative Programming

Continual pilot of a the new educator workshops titled: Let's GRO Workshops (1-day, Let's GRO & Give; 2-day, Let's GRO a Nation), additionally work was done to house our MD Ag in the Classroom workshops within another organization's conference to capitalize on partnerships and minimize costs. This pilot will be a 3 year process in hopes to figure out what educators both formal and non formal need and want post covid.

Let's Gro Together Grants formally Urban Garden Grants. Improvements through our internal program review process to include a broadening of the RFP to include non-traditional gardening activities were made and the program received more applications than in previous years.

Library partnership- pilot Maryland's library system is a powerful partner for collaboration. With resources for public, private and home school students, libraries have transformed from hushed buildings into vibrant learning hubs, offering students access to a wealth of resources. Beyond books, these resources include video and digital content, in-person programming and more, offering dynamic and versatile spaces where students can explore, discover, and learn. In our growing relationship, students benefit from an educational environment that allows them to dive into materials related to agriculture, ag careers, the intersection of agriculture and science, technology, environmental and social issues. MAEF partnered with Cecil County Public Library's Kid's Academy, a program focusing on youth in homeschool and non-traditional school settings. MAEF offered hands-on agricultural learning with the Amazing Maryland Agriculture Showcase. Youth participated in egg dissections, ag STEM career exploration through USDA egg grading techniques, and handled button quail. MAEF's goal is to enhance the educational experience for all students, connecting them with the world of agriculture.

Major Program Impacts or Outcomes

• Increased knowledge and skills in the integration of agricultural education in classroom teachers
• Increased understanding of agriculture connections to personal and professional lives of educators
• Connected formal and non formal educators to agriculture within their communities
• Fostered partnerships across ag organizations and non ag organizations through ag literacy work

Program Leader Biosketch

Victoria Stone is the Middle School Education Director for the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation. Victoria started with MAEF in 2022 after a career with the University of Maryland Extension 4-H Youth Development program in Cecil County, MD. Formerly known as the "chick lady" after providing embryology experiences to 1,000's of students throughout her tenure, Victoria now uses those skills to create agricultural literacy programs and foster partnerships for students across Maryland. Victoria earned a A.A. degree from Cecil College in Secondary Education, a B.S. degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Liberty University, and a M.S. degree in Learning Design and Technology from University of Maryland, Global Campus. Victoria was named Maryland Agriculture in the Classroom Program Leader in the Fall of 2022.