HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) has selected James McCrobie, a teacher at Salisbury Middle School, for the 2024 Velma Clark Excellence in Teaching About Ag Award. This award honors one Maryland teacher who exemplifies excellence in using agriculture as a context to engage students in learning core subjects.

McCrobie, who teaches Social Studies and Geographical Sciences to sixth, seventh and eighth graders, has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrating agricultural topics into the classroom. His innovative programs, methods, and activities have had a significant impact on student attitudes and overall learning.

One of the key elements of McCrobie’s curriculum is the integration of hands-on experiences. His classroom features a school greenhouse, edible organic vegetable and herb gardens, edible fruit trees and plants, a pollinator garden, composting area, wetland pond demonstration, and pocket meadow demonstration. These resources provide students with the opportunity to engage in research projects focused on plant growth, agricultural systems, irrigation, fertilizer and pest management, and ecosystem dynamics.

McCrobie’s curriculum also includes a focus on the impact of agriculture throughout history. Students explore topics such as food security, colonial gardens, food preservation methods, and sustainability. Through project-based learning and inquiry-based lessons, students develop critical thinking skills while learning about agricultural and sustainability issues.

“I believe it is essential for students to understand our food system and their role in creating a sustainable future. This award will allow me to continue providing my students with the tools they need to address agricultural and environmental challenges,” McCrobie said.

The Velma Clark Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award includes a $500 stipend for classroom materials and a scholarship to attend the 2024 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. McCrobie will be attending the conference from June 24-28, 2024

The Velma Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture was established by the Clark Family in 2019. Trained as a nurse, Velma Clark found her calling as a farmer. While her husband worked, she milked cows and raised hens, delivering eggs in Baltimore City. Passionate about ag education and supporting the ag industry, she raised her children in 4-H programs and was active in dairy industry organizations.

For more information about the award or the Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation, please visit www.MAEFonline.com or contact Ben Brown at bbrown@maefonline.com.

Dedicated to increasing agricultural literacy and agricultural education, MAEF is a nonprofit organization with programs serving pre-kindergarten through post-secondary audiences. MAEF signature programs include “Infusing Ag in the Classroom” professional development courses for teachers; mobile science labs; mobile agricultural showcases and Maryland FFA. Funded by the Maryland “ag tag” license plate revenues, gifts, grants and program fees, MAEF promotes the importance of agriculture in everyone’s daily lives. For more information visit www.maefonline.com.