MHS Ag Department Newsletter
In This Issue
- Strawberry Fundraiser
- National FFA Week
- Teacher Breakfast
- Gift of Blue Interest Form
- Horticulture Valentine's Day Rose Sale
- AG Day Mandatory Meeting
- AG Day
- Sign Up for FFA Competitions and Events
- Regional Competition - Ag Mech, Extemporaneous Public Speaking & Creed
- Regional Competition - Prepared Public Speaking & Job Interview
- Upcoming State Competitions
- Turtle Race Committee & Volunteer Sign Up
- Regional Leadership Field Trip
- Day in Annapolis
- SAVE THE DATE - Middletown FFA Banquet 2024
- Chapter Officer Applications
- Student Grant & Scholarship Opportunities
- FFA Alumni Meetings
- Upcoming Dates
Strawberry Fundraiser
Strawberries are sold by the flat, ½ flat, and quart. Prices for each are listed below. When filling out the order blank, be sure to mark the correct variety and price for each customer. **Please collect the money in advance if at all possible. It is much easier if things are paid for in advance.**
You, the salesperson, are responsible for arranging to deliver the fruit to your customers or having the customers pick up the fruit from the high school agriculture shop. Without some unforeseen delay, the fruit will be available for pick up the week of February 26th - March 1, 2024.
Orders are due by Friday, February 9th. Please keep track of your sales on your strawberry sale form. Sales can also be submitted online by using the google form.
Fruit Prices for 2024 are:
Full Flat ½ Flat 1 Quart
Strawberries……………………………….$26.00 $16.00 $6.00..
Please see an advisor to pick up a paper copy form or utilize the digital order form by using the link below.
National FFA Week!!! Feb. 17-24, 2024
Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.
What better way to show your support of FFA than to get involved in FFA Week? Whether it’s in person, on the phone or via social media, be sure to share your FFA stories during #FFAweek!
Help our chapter celebrate! Check our FFA Week schedule for details.
FFA Week Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Parents and FFA members we need your help. On Thursday Feb. 22th, 2024 we would like to offer a grab and go breakfast for the MHS Staff to say thank you for all they do to support the Middletown FFA chapter. Donations can be sent to school with a student or dropped off in the front office beginning Friday 16th, 2024 until Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024. Items can also be dropped off between 6:45am and 7:00 am the morning of breakfast. We are also in need of two parent volunteers to assist our students during the time of the breakfast 7:00 am until 8:00 am, please email sara.seiser@fcps.org if you are able to volunteer the morning of the breakfast. Any help is very much appreciated. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Gift of Blue
Are you interested in getting your own FFA jacket? If you plan to get involved and compete in an event this spring, you will need a jacket. Maryland FFA offers jackets to 3 members of each chapter through the gift of blue program. We will choose 3 members from Middletown based on interest. Please complete the interest form below by February 9th.
AG Day Mandatory Participant Meeting 3/6/24
Our Mandatory Ag Participant Meeting will be Wednesday March 6th, 2024 from 2:30pm until 3:30pm. If you would like to participate in Ag Day you are required to attend. At this meeting we will discuss important information and you will receive your ag day participation permission slips.
We are looking for students to bring Agriculture Equipment (Tractors, Livestock Trailers, Machinery, etc.), Animals (Livestock) and Tour Guides. We will need lots of help running each station and taking around classes. We look forward to your participation in Ag Day.
Stop by the Ag Hallway and Sign Up if you are interested in participating and don't forget to attend the MANDATORY meeting on Wednesday March 6th, 2024.
AG Day!!!
Ag Day will be Tuesday May 7th!! - Save the Date!
Ag Day Committee meetings will begin soon. Please see an advisor, officer or Trenton Strong (Committee Chair) if you would like to be on the committee. The first Ag Day Committee meeting will be Thursday February 15th 2:30 to 3:30pm.
FFA Career & Leadership Development Event Competitions
Through Career and Leadership Development Events, participating Middletown FFA members in grades 9 to 12 are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE and LDE events occur at the local, state and national levels.
Currently we have started to begin FFA CDE practices and will continue add competition as members are interested throughout the spring. If you are interested in a competition we are not currently practicing for please let an advisor know. Check out what CDE/LDE National FFA Offers: https://www.ffa.org/participate/cde-lde/ If you are interested in joining a team or competition please let an advisor know or attend a practice.
Mondays:
Ag Mech: 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Weekly
Starting - 1/20/23
Creed: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Horse Judging: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Thursdays:
Public Speaking: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Starting - 2/15/23
Fridays:
Milk Quality & Products: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Future Teams Looking for Members:
- Floriculture
- Vet Science
- Forestry
- Nursery and Landscape
- Livestock Judging
- Ag Sales
Please see an advisor if you are interest in any competition that is still looking for members or has already begun to practice.
Region 2 Ag Mech, Extemporaneous and Creed Competition
Students participating in the Ag Mechanics CDE and Extemporaneous and Creed LDE will compete on March 13th at Walkersville High School. The top 4 public speakers will advance to the state competition. The top 3 Ag Mechanics teams will advance to the state competition.
Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024, 05:00 PM
Walkersville High School, West Frederick Street, Walkersville, MD, USA
Region 2 Prepared Public Speaking and Employment Skills Contest
Students participating in the Prepared Public Speaking and Employment Skills participants will compete on April 19th at Frederick High School. The top 4 public speakers will advance to the state competition.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024, 05:30 PM
Frederick High School, Carroll Parkway, Frederick, MD, USA
MD FFA Spring Judging Competition
The Milk Quality and if the Ag Mechanic team advances from Regionals will complete on Saturday April 13th at Westminister High School. The gift of blue ceremony will begin at 9am in the Auditorium.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024, 08:00 AM
Westminster High School, Washington Road, Westminster, MD, USA
Save the DATE! Middletown FFA Banquet April 23rd, 2024
Apply for your Degrees!!
Banquet is coming do not forget to apply for your Greenhand and Chapter degrees. Applications due back by April 1st. Use the links below to check if you are qualified.
Student Grant & Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships:
Mountaire Scholarship:
Mountaire’s $2,500 annual college scholarship to your graduating seniors. Eligible students include the children and grandchildren of our more than 10,000 employees; children and grandchildren of more than 1,200 poultry growers; and the children and grandchildren of more than 1,000 grain producers in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. You can learn more about the scholarship here: https://mountaire.com/mountaire-cares/scholarships/.
Many of you have been helping us find students for our new Farm to Table Scholarship program, and for that, we are grateful. But our annual scholarship program offers a generous scholarship too! The annual scholarship has traditionally opened in April with a deadline in June, but this year, it opened in January with a deadline of March 4, 2024, so that families have more time to make the important decisions about choosing the right college.
THE 2024 MAEF ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. academic scholarship is open to rising junior or senior undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in majors leading to careers in agricultural education or Extension education. Applications will be reviewed by the MAEF secondary education committee.
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) will soon be accepting applications for its 2024 Academic Scholarships, providing up to $1,500 in tuition funding to college students.
MAEF Academic Scholarships are open to rising junior or senior undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in majors leading to careers in agricultural education or Extension education. Qualified candidates should complete and submit their online application by March 25, 2024.
Award announcements will be made by May1, 2024.
All applicants will be notified of the results by the beginning of May. Financial scholarship awards will be sent directly to the educational institutions for deposit in student accounts. Scholarships are nonrenewable. Previous recipients may reapply in consecutive years.
Please see the application and guidelines below:
2024 MAEF Academic Scholarship General Guidelines and Selection Criteria
Purpose
To provide financial assistance to Maryland residents who are rising junior or senior undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in majors leading to careers in agricultural education or Extension education.
Scholarship Award
o Five or more $1,500 awards annually
o May be awarded more than once to same individual
o Application reviews and awards made by the MAEF Secondary Education Committee
Selection Criteria
Residency
Applicant must be a resident of the State of Maryland
Award Priority
Four-year undergraduate or graduate program leading to teaching certification or an Extension education career in Maryland
https://maefonline.com/home/student-center/scholarships/
THE 2024 DR. RONALD J. SEIBEL SCHOLARSHIP
MAEF’s Dr. Ronald J. Seibel Scholarship is open to students enrolled in two-year or four-year programs leading to careers in agriculture or agriculture education at a qualifying institution. Qualified candidates should complete and submit their online application by March 25, 2024.
Dr. Ronald J. Seibel established this scholarship fund during his lifetime to support students seeking agricultural degrees or certificates. As a former educator and longtime director of the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland, Dr. Seibel was a passionate supporter of agricultural education.
Award announcements will be made by May 1, 2024.
Please see the application and guidelines below:
2024 Seibel Scholarship General Guidelines and Selection Criteria
Purpose
To assist those students requiring financial support who are pursuing a career in agriculture.
Scholarship Award
o One or more $1,000 awards annually
o May be awarded more than once to same individual
o Application reviews and awards made by the MAEF Secondary Education Committee
Selection Criteria
Residency
Applicant must be a resident of the State of Maryland
Qualifying Institutions
- Institute of Applied Agriculture (1st Preference)
- University of Maryland (2nd Preference)
- Other, in or out of state, institutions offering an accredited Agriculture program.
Award Priority – Eligible Agricultural Paths of Study
- Two-year certificate program (1st Preference)
- Four-year undergraduate program with interest in teaching
- Graduate program – continuing teacher education
https://maefonline.com/home/student-center/scholarships/
Grants
SAE Grants
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Grants of $1,000 are available to start or expand member SAEs . The SAE Grant application process opens in October and closes on Nov. 15. Eligible grant applications are scored and the grant recipients will be announced in mid-December.
https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/sae-grants/
Want to Show at The Great Frederick Fair
Active FFA members are eligible to show at The Great Frederick Fair in September. To be eligible to show students must turn in their record book by May 8th, turn in registration papers by the specified due dates, complete animal husbandry quality assurance, attend weigh ins and fair meetings as needed.
AH&QA program: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ahqa/
Must complete the Quality Assurance by July 25th, this is required to show
Check out the Fair Youth Exhibitor Website for more information: https://thegreatfrederickfair.com/the-great-frederick-fair/participate-in-the-great-frederick-fair/2021-youth-4-h-ffa-show-sale-frequently-asked-questions/
USDA Ag Discovery Program, FREE Program for this Summer!
AgDiscovery is a free summer outreach program to help teenagers explore careers in agricultural sciences.
As an AgDiscovery student, you’ll live on a college campus for 2–4 weeks and learn from university professors and USDA experts—plant and animal scientists, biotechnologists, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, administrative professionals, and others. You’ll gain hands-on experience through labs, workshops, and field trips; participate in character- and team-building activities; and join in many other fun and educational events. It’s a unique chance to get a first-hand look at the many exciting career paths in agriculture
Applications are Due by March 31st at 11:59pm
Middletown FFA Alumni Upcoming Meeting!
Parents, Supporters, Past Members join the Middletown FFA Alumni. The Middletown FFA acts as booster group to support the Middletown FFA chapter. The Alumni meets the second Tuesday at 7:30 pm, every odd numbered month at the Myersville McDonalds
Up Coming Dates
Weekly Reminder Dates
Mondays:
Ag Mech: 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Weekly
Creed: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Horse Judging: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Tuesdays :
Officer Meeting:2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Thursdays:
Public Speaking: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Starting - 2/15/24
Ag Day Committee:2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
Starting - 2/15/24
Fridays:
Milk Quality & Products: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Weekly
February
- 9th - Strawberry Orders Due
- 15th - American FFA Degree Emailed to Mrs. Shank
- 15th - Officer Applications Released
- 18th - 24th - National FFA Week
- 18th - Chapter Breakfast Mountain Gate 8:30am to 10:00am
- 20th - Chapter Service Project 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Dress up day Anything but a Backpack
- 21st - Movie Night @ Warehouse 6pm to 8pm, Dress up day PJ Day
- 22nd - Teacher appreciation breakfast @ 7am, Dress up Wild West day
- 23rd - National FFA Week National Officer Field Trip Timonium
- 23rd - Roller Skating @ Turner's in Hagerstown, MD 7pm to 8:30pm, Dress Up USA Day
- 28th - March 2nd Strawberry Pick Up
- 28th - Day in Annapolis
March
- 1st & 2nd - Charlotte's Web Petting Zoo
- 6th - Mandatory Ag Meeting
- 13th - Creed, Extemp, Ag Mech @ WHS
- 15th - American FFA Application Due
- 27th - Regional Leadership Field Trip
- 25th - Officer Applications Due
- 30th - USDA Ag Discovery Applications Due
April
- 1st - Banquet RSVP's Due
- 1st - Greenhand and Chapter Degrees Due
- 13th - Spring Judging @ Westminster HS
- 15th - State FFA Degree
- 17th - Prepared Public Speaking, Conduct of Chapter @ FHS
- 20th - Turtle Race
- 30th - Greenhouse Opening Day
May
- 7th - Ag Day
- 10th - Record Books due