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Close Encounters with Agriculture

4-H and Youth Programming

Kelly Nichols
Ag Agent
University of Maryland Extension
Derwood

Abstract

Montgomery County is in central Maryland, just north of Washington, D.C. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, its population was approximately 1 million in 2020, with 97.3% located in urban areas and 2.7% located in rural areas. There is minimal interaction between the urban population and the farming community; this gap is only widening. The average consumer has limited knowledge about how their food is produced and farmers’ role in protecting the environment. Close Encounters with Agriculture, an educational program for 4th grade students, was started to bridge this gap and increase agricultural awareness. Close Encounters with Agriculture is an annual field trip held at Montgomery County’s Agricultural History Farm Park. For approximately 14 days in the fall, fourth grade students, along with their teachers and chaperones, visit the Farm Park. Students rotate through three tracks: agriculture, nutrition, and environment. In 2024, Close Encounters with Agriculture was held for 16 days in October. Students from 45 schools (34 public and 11 private) attended. A total of 3,360 students and 246 adults (teachers and chaperones) were reached, and 71 volunteers were trained. Ten stations were taught by University of Maryland Extension educators and volunteers. Each station includes teaching and a hands-on activity. IRB approval was obtained to do pre- and post-testing for a subset of students (n=367). Students were given a pre- and post-test onsite using response clickers before and after the field trip. The pre- and post-tests consisted of the same 14 multiple choice questions. Overall, students scored an average of 32% correct on the pre-test. After participating in the program, their test scores rose to an average of 83% correct on the post-test. Statistical analysis indicated a significant increase in correct responses from pre-test to post-test for all but one question. Differences from ranged from 6% to 81%. In conclusion, Close Encounters with Agriculture is a successful multi-disciplinary program providing students with the opportunity to learn more about agriculture, nutrition, and the environment.

Authors: Kelly Nichols, Mona Habibi, Catherine Savage
  1. Kelly Nichols Ag Agent, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 20855
  2. Mona Habibi Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 20855
  3. Catherine Savage 4-H Agent Associate, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 20855