Brad Hartle, a UMES Extension 4-H STEM educator, was recognized April 13 at Parkside High School CTE Horticulture program’s annual Community Planting Day. It was a day shared by students and their families, along with the program’s friends and partners to fill the raised beds at the A+ Garden Center with beautiful annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and vegetable starter plants to sell for spring.
Hartle has served as an outreach partner and advisory council member for the horticulture program at Parkside over the past seven years. He was the recipient of its Partnership Appreciation Dedication and Service Award for the 2023 academic year.
“Mr. Jerry Kelley does an amazing job incorporating partners from all aspects of the community to give his students unique opportunities to learn and grow,” Hartle said. “Collaborations like this help UMES 4-H STEM be successful in its goals of working with youth, families and educators to promote STEM education. Time spent with these enthusiastic students is always fun and rewarding, helping them expand their knowledge and experiences on the way to being the next generation of horticulturists, farmers, food producers, environmentalists, scientists, teachers, leaders or any path they choose.”
“Brad Hartle has provided our program with integral contributions through sharing of advice, community connections and important STEM-related instructional support. Our students love Mr. Brad,” said Jerry Kelley, the program’s instructor and horticulturist for over 12 years.
The A+ Garden Center, Maryland’s top high school horticulture program and one of the nation’s largest, is open Monday and Saturday (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Tuesday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) for your spring planting needs.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communication and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photo submitted.
