Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Educators Network

Farm-Based Education Association (Network) : Maryland Agricultural Education Association : Maryland Farm to School, MD Dept. Agriculture :

Who are Farm-Based Educators? Non-formal professional educators Formal educators Farm managers Dedicated (paid) or volunteer staff

What Do Farm-Based Educators Do? Agriculture education K-12 school students Adult and adult special needs ag education Farm tours and events using ag education activities Supervise interns, service projects, service learning

The Need for a Regional Network Farm-Based Educators (FBE) provide on-site agricultural education for thousands of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Virginia school students spring, summer, and fall. FBE receive little or no professional development and very little networking opportunities during the “off season” FBE, like other educational service providers, compete for funding and audiences. In order to compete, their educational services must be relevant, meaningful, and accountable to an ever-increasingly stringent educational system.

Relevance and Accountability Next Generation Science (MD, DE, VA) Agricultural Literacy Environmental Literacy Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Farm-to-School/School Nutrition/Food Services Agricultural History

Spreading the News: Social Media E-Newsletters/E-Blast MDA Events Announcements FBEA & MAEF Websites

First Gathering November 2012 Our Identity Our Attributes Our Goals Mid-Atlantic Farm-Based Network Our Mid-Atlantic region is described by its agricultural and community diversity, where dozens of languages are spoken and agricultural practices reflect our deep historical and generational roots.

Second Gathering December 2012 Our goals support the work of individuals – to be of direct benefit to network members by providing opportunities for high quality professional development and recognition as professionals in the field of agriculture education.

Third Gathering March 2013 Professional practice includes continuing education in agricultural education, designing and aligning our educational activities to state and national standards, evaluation strategies, and maintaining/ improving relationships with local school districts.

Contact Information: Peggy Eppig, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation Karen Fedor, Maryland Farm To School Program, MDA Brooke Redmond, Executive Director, Farm-Based Education Network (National)

Mid-Atlantic Information and Events: Atlantic-Farm-Based-Educators-Network maryland-network