During the mid-July AgDiscovery Summer Enrichment Program, 21 high school students (ages 13-17) were exposed to careers in food science and technology, veterinary medicine, animal science, entomology, soil sciences, horticulture, forestry, food and environmental microbiology, nutrient management, food safety, water quality, and the science and technology used in the food and agricultural sciences. Many experiential learning opportunities were offered through state-of-the-art research activities, visits to farm facilities, and field trips to conservation areas and research centers. In addition to the exposure and the experiential learning, the students were immersed into campus living while residing in the dorms and interacting with university faculty, staff, students and other agricultural professionals.
Among the highlights for the program were a veterinary medicine workshop conducted by Dr. Kimberly Braxton, assistant professor; a soil health and water quality workshop conducted by Dr. Amy Collick, assistant research professor; and an animal science workshop, where the students conducted a necropsy on a goat under the guidance of Dr. E. Nelson Escobar, assistant professor and interim administrator for UMES Extension. The students also enjoyed a Caroline County 4-H field trip, where they made glue from powered milk and plastic from soybeans.
Corrie Cotton, also a research assistant professor, is the coordinator of the popular AgDiscovery Program at UMES. She and Lisa Purnell, USDA liaison in the Office of Partnership and Public Engagement, evaluated 72 applications. She explains, “The application process for the program is very competitive. Parents can help their child by making sure he or she fills out the application completely and according to the instructions and submits it well before the deadline. In addition, parents will need to ensure that their child has a real interest in learning about agriculture and pursuing a career and/or education in the food and agricultural sciences; that the child’s references are familiar with his or her interest in agriculture; and that the child’s essay is proofread and well written.”
While AgDiscovery programs are held at 20 different universities, only 20 seats are available at UMES. Next year’s application will be available January 2020, and the application deadline will be March 2020. All applications must be submitted, electronically or by mail, to the USDA-APHIS AgDiscovery Program for approval.
In addition to APHIS, funding for the program is also provided by the UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. For more information in the coming months and specific dates, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery.
