Agricultural Science

Authors: Rachel Bayer - Sara Arnold - Donielle Axline - Kelly Nichols - Catherine Sorenson - Razan Sahuri - Haylee Staruk

The Kids Growing with Grains Virtual Field Trip offers interactive lessons for students about the importance of grains in nutrition and the environment. Each lesson features a 5 to 15-minute video, a student worksheet, and family engagement pages in both English and Spanish. The program includes four sections: Grain Science, Grains and Nutrition, Grains and the Environment, and Grains and Animals. A pre-field trip student workbook is also available for additional resources. Teachers can select lessons based on their needs and can reach out to Kelly Nichols, UME Ag Educator, for assistance. Authors: Rachel Bayer, Sara Arnold, Donielle Axline, Kelly Nichols, Catherine Sorenson, Raza Sahuri, and Haylee Staruk; Title: Kids Growing with Grains Virtual Field Trip (WB-2).

Authors: Anna Glenn

This factsheet provides guidance for 4-H coaches to create successful competitive programs, focusing on judging contests, Skillathons, and quiz bowls. It emphasizes the importance of the 4-H Thriving Model, which fosters youth development by creating a supportive environment that encourages social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Key elements include igniting interest, fostering belonging, building supportive relationships, and encouraging meaningful engagement, leading to positive long-term outcomes for youth participants. Author: Anna Glenn; Title: Tips for 4-H Competitive Event Coaches: How to Create Thriving Programs (FS-2025-0760).

Authors: Willie Lantz - Philip Malone - Karen Wood - Amy Lang - Brad Hartle - Mark DeMorra - Amanda Wahle - Mary Elizabeth Bissell - Aimee Cristy - Bobbi Hudson - Thomas Hutson - Jessica Mellon

The “Investigating Oysters” underwater science activity booklet is an educational component of the Smart, Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture Management (S3AM) program. S3AM is a nationwide, multi-institutional, USDA-funded project that uses smart technology to increase farming efficiency, economic viability, and environmental sustainability of oyster aquaculture. This guide provides young people with an introduction to oysters and an overview of underwater robotics through engaging activities that connect to the future of oyster harvesting. The activities included in this booklet are a virtual oyster dissection, experiments in buoyancy and propulsion and a guide to building the 4-H SAM underwater robot. Authors: Willie Lantz, Phil Malone, Karen Wood, Amy Lang, Brad Hartle, Mark Demorra, Amanda Wahle, Aimee Cristy, Mary Elizabeth Bissell, Bobbi Hudson, Tom Hudson, and Jessica Mellon.; Title: Investigating Oysters 4-H Guide to Underwater Science Activities for Youth (EC-2025-0751)

Authors: Amy Lang

The Power of Pollinators lessons provide engaging, interactive activities for youth audiences to explore the role pollinators play in our food supply, providing opportunities to explore pollinator species and habitats and engage in environmental stewardship practices to support these vital organisms.  As youth explore these concepts they will develop an increased affinity for the natural world and the science that can be used to explore and understand it. Author: Amy Lang; Title: The Power of Pollinators (EC-2023-0675).

Authors: Justine Beaulieu - Heather Buritsch - Jon Traunfeld - Shauna Henley

As interest in educating students about gardening and food production increases, it will be helpful to outline food safety principles in school settings. This fact sheet uses a pre-existing University of Maryland Extension fact sheet and expands it to include more information on rain barrels, lead in soil, chickens, and school policies. It also includes a glossary of terms. Authors: Justine Beaulieu, Heather Buritsch, Shauna Henley, and Jon Traunfeld; Title: Food Safety in Your School Gardens, Classrooms, and Greenhouses (FS-1077)

Authors: April Barczewski - Sheryl Bennett - Thomas Hutson - Christine Johnston - Becky Ridgeway

Career AGsperience is an agriculture career literacy program designed to increase participants’ knowledge base related to agriculture careers and preparation for careers in Animal Science, Environmental Science, Agri-Business and Leadership, and Agriculture Science and Technology. Authors: April Barczewski, Sheryl Bennett, Thomas Hutson, Christine Johnston, and Becky Ridgeway; Title: Career AGsperience (EC-15)

Authors: Elaine Long Bailey

How does a 4-H youth select which livestock project to complete for their first experience? There are many considerations for children in families who have no livestock background when youth take on their first 4-H livestock project. Some of the first questions to answer before committing to a project animal include “Which species and type of project do I select?,” “Where do I find my project animals?,” “What kind of facilities do I need?,” and “How do I take care of my animals?” This factsheet will present answers to these questions.

Authors: Lacie Ashby

Writing for professional journals is a learned skill that takes practice to excel. This fact sheet will share seven general steps to help emerging authors to begin grooming their academic writing skills.