Ag Day 2008 Events and Descriptions

4-H SET Discovery Zone: Youth ages 8-18 are invited to experience a variety of innovative 4-H projects through interactive stations highlighting 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology programs across the state. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

4-H Tech Team: Stop by and enjoy 4-H Tech Team demonstrations. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Concourse of the Animal Sciences Building.

4-H State Communications Contest-- Extemporaneous Speeches: Maryland 4-H members compete for state titles in junior (ages 8-10 years), intermediate (ages 11-13 years), and senior (ages 14-18 years) categories. 11:00 AM-3:00 PM.

4-H State Communications Contest-- Interpretive Speeches: Maryland 4-H members compete for state titles in junior (ages 8-10 years), intermediate (ages 11-13 years) and senior (ages 14-18 years) categories. 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

4-H State Communications Contest-- Prepared Speeches: Maryland 4-H members compete for state titles in junior (ages 8-10 years), intermediate (ages 11-13 years) and senior (ages 14-18 years) categories. 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM in the AGNR Tent on McKeldin Mall.

4-H State Communications Contest-- Radio Spots: Maryland 4-H members compete for state titles in junior (ages 8-10 years), intermediate (ages 11-13 years) and senior (ages 14-18 years) categories. 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM in the AGNR Tent on McKeldin Mall.

A Taste of Maryland Ice Cream: Enjoy Alpha Zeta dishing up free samples of ice cream made by the University of Maryland. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Aquatic Lab: Have fun in the aquatic teaching lab with hands on activities involving land and water. In partnership with the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Beekeeping- How Sweet it is! BUMBA (Bowie and Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association) presents beekeeping for everyone! An observation hive will be available to better explain hive social behavior and bee anatomy. Honey tastings make this an event to savor. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Building for a Greener Future: Learn about exciting plans for a new LEED-certified green building at the research farm in Clarksville. The building and grounds will be a "living laboratory" for researching green technologies and sustainable horticulture. The building, with its 300-person conference center, will provide unique outreach educational opportunities in Green Living for K-12 and Maryland students, businesses, the green industry, and the general public. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Calvert County Master Gardeners: Gardening fun for everyone! 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Center for Agrosecurity and Emergency Management: Check out our agrosecurity and emergency management display for families. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Collegiate 4-H: Learn how to bring your 4-H skills to college. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Cotton Candy and Natural Resources: Indulge your sweet tooth and your curiosity about the natural environment with the Natural Resource Management Society.

Could You Be a Maryland Farmer or Forester? Stop by and take a fun, informative quiz to test your knowledge of Maryland agriculture and forestry. Everyone gets a prize. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Academic Major Information Session: Learn more about the dynamic academic majors in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Hear from a student panel, ask questions, and get answers! 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Department of Nutrition and Food Science: Learn about our outstanding degree programs in dietetics, food science and nutrition. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Dietetics Meets Cyberspace AND WINS! Visit Department of Nutrition and Food Science Dietetic interns to see how dietetics meets Cyberspace and actually does win. 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank: Learn how the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank (EVBB), an all volunteer organization, is helping to save canine lives across the country. The EVBB provides veterinarians with high quality blood products along with guidance and education to enhance animal care. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

EGG-citing Start for Ag Day Alumni Breakfast: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alumni are invited to make their own omelets, honor past student leadership, celebrate scholarship donors and enjoy the 83rd Ag Day! Past AGNR Student Ambassadors and Student Council Leadership will be recognized. Call 301-405-2434 for reservations. 8:30 AM- 10:00 AM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Engaged University: We will be offering interactive demonstrations representing the following programs: the Master Peace Community Garden, nutrition education, mural painting and the Renaissance Community Bike Shop. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Environmental Science and Policy-- Partners in Stewardship: How will we preserve and enhance the quality of our environment while supporting a growing human population? How can we maintain an ecological balance that allows animals and plants to flourish? The Environmental Science and Policy Program explores these issues. Stop by our display and check your "EK" (environmental knowledge). Win prizes and leave with a greater appreciation for the planet we share. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Concourse of the Animal Sciences Building.

Equestrian Club Horse Show: Watch the horse show as students, faculty, and staff display riding skills, disciplines, and demonstrations. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Showring.

Faculty/Staff Swine Show: Watch as faculty and staff from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources test their big charming skills in this fun show. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Barns.

Fidos for Freedom: Meet a group of remarkable dogs that provide assistance and companionship to people with disabilities. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Food Plus Science Equals Yum! Students from the Food Science Club discuss how new food products are developed. Sample soy chips and discover delicious ingredients of healthy smoothies. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Food Safety Information Center, USDA- National Agricultural Library: Stop by to see how the Department of Nutrition and Food Science works with USDA's Food Safety Information Center at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville to help families make safe food choices. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

From the Barnyard to the Bay: Come find out how Maryland farmers and the university are working together to protect the Chesapeake Bay. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Frontiers in Science- Past, Present and Future: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is the largest and most diversified agricultural research center in the world. Discover how technologies past, present, and future developed in partnership with the University of Maryland can impact the community. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Concourse of the Animal Sciences Building

Gardening Questions? Home and Garden Information Center Has the Answers: Meet experts from the Home and Garden Information Center. Learn how to identify and control invasive plants and manage insect and disease problems, inside and outside your home, without chemical pesticides. Kids get to handle giant and unusual bugs. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Got AREC? How much do you know about agricultural and resource economics (AREC)? How does AREC impact our community? Stop by to learn about our programs and careers. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Great Oaks of Maryland-- Grow Your Own Beauty: Come to the large oak tree down the hill from the Chapel where you'll find seedlings from this and other noteworthy area trees. The parents of all trees have been identified for each seedling, and pictures and locations are available. Available species allow you to select a tree tolerant of whatever soil moisture conditions you have. New this year in addition to seedlings from large trees: seedlings from rare trees. Come pick up a tree and discuss the multiple services it will provide you and your community. Similar seedlings sell for as much as $60. Get yours FREE. All Day event, Chapel Fields.

Greenhouse Tour: Visit the most technologically sophisticated research greenhouse facility on the East Coast. Tours begin every half hour. Meet your tour guide at the front entrance lobby facing the Comcast Center. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM.

Grilling with AGR: Enjoy flame-broiled culinary delights while meeting and learning about Alpha Gamma Rho. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Growing with Grains: Learn about grains, their role as the foundation of civilizations and how they're used in everyday life. Make a grain-art jar using six different grains that originated from around the globe and take it home with you. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Hands on Minds: 4-H Volunteer Leader's Association: Explore hands-on adventures with 4-H. Expand your mind to learn about urban and rural youth activities in the arts, sciences, areas of health, agriculture and more. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Horseshoe Decorating: Put your artistic skills to work decorating a horseshoe to take home. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Helping the Animals of Prince George's County: Learn how AGNR students and other volunteers with the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County are combating animal overpopulation through spay/neuter education and services; helping county residents better care for their pets through low-cost shot clinics, emergency medical assistance, and humane education; and preventing animal suggering through cruelty investigations and education on animal welfare legislation. Stop by to meet some adorable adoptables and learn how you can help. 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

I Didn't Know I Could Major in That: Are you looking for a different, exciting and challenging major? Visit College of Agriculture and Natural Resources staff and students regarding the diverse majors available in the sciences and social sciences. 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM in the Main Lobby of the Animal Sciences Building.

Institute of Applied Agriculture's Admissions and More: An information session for prospective IAA students and their families. Learn more about admissions to the Institute of Applied Agriculture, our majors and programs. 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM in 1123 Jull Hall.

Kiss a Pig: See your favorite faculty and staff from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources pucker up to a pig. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Showring.

Launch of 4-H SET Program: Visit the launch of the 4-H SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) program. There will be speakers, presentations, and celebrations throughout the day announcing this new 4-H youth development initiative. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Livestock and Horse Show: Watch as students show dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. Meet the animals that live on the Campus Farm. Learn about different sheep breeds and see the Fistulated Cow demonstration. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM on the Campus Farm.

Lucy, the Original Biofuel Reactor: Lucy, a rumen fistulated cow, will produce methane gas from fermentation of feeds in her rumen-- her first stomach. See her rumen microbes under the microscope. Learn about university research to decrease methane production from cattle, and use rumen microbes to produce biofuels like methane and ethanol. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Barns.

Maryland Soybean Board: Come test your knowledge in a trivia game about soybeans and animal agriculture in Maryland. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

MILK-- Maryland's Official Beverage: Learn about nature's nearly perfect food. Activities and educational materials in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and the Maryland Dairy Promotion & Princess Committee. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Myths and Facts About Avian Influenza or "Bird Flu": Learn about the myths and facts regarding Avian Influenza or "Bird Flu" and what researchers and Extension specialists at the University of Maryland are doing to help prevent and control this disease. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Neighborhood Grime Watch: Participate in an interactive hand washing activity and through the use of black lights and magic lotion, discover how well you wash your hands. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Nutrition Jeopardy: The Food and Nutrition Club from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science will host a nutrition jeopardy game, a fun way to learn about basic nutrition and win prizes. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Operation Military Kids: Join 4-H, National Guard, and the Army Reserves as we support kids of deployed soldiers. Visit the modile tech lab, email a message to a soldier, or record a personal greeting. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Orchid Display: Orchid production is a current research project on campus. Visit the beautiful orchid display in the lobby of the Plant Sciences building and tour the Research Greenhouse complex where you can view the thousands of orchids under study. See separate listing for greenhouse tour information. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Lobby of the Plant Sciences Building.

Picture Yourself With a Horse: Take home a photo of you with a university horse taken by a member of the Equestrian Club. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Barns.

Putting for Prizes: The Institute of Applied Agriculture welcomes you and your children to sink a putt and win a prize. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about the Institute's full range of two-year programs including Golf Course Management. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Plant Science and Landscape Architecture: Stop by for coloring activities, a photo opportunity with plant scenes, and a putting green. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Main Entrance Foyer of the Plant Sciences Building.

Raising Kids, Eating Right, Spending Smart-- Living Well: Family and Consumer Sciences educators of the UM Cooperative Extension want you to eat right, to spend smart, and to teach your children to do the same. Visit the Living Well booth for information and giveaways relating to nutrition and personal finances for the whole family. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Schiences Building.

Saving Endangered Species Through Reproductive Sciences: Talk to experts from the National Zoo about the science behind saving endangered species around the world. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Concourse of the Animal Sciences Building.

Share your AGNR Pride: Share your best contact information to help establish an AGNR Alumni Email list serve. Share career information for mentoring undergraduates and networking with fellow alumni. Join the AGNR Alumni Chapter to ensure that you receive future AGNR communications, publications and exclusive invitations to campus and related off-campus events. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Sigma Alpha Samples: The sisters of Sigma Alpha charm you with baked goods while feeding you information about Sigma Alpha. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Solar-Powered Algal Turf Scrubber: Algal turf scrubbers are constructed ecosystems used for wastewater treatment. Come watch and learn as the sun powers this one! 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Tackling Childhood Obesity in Maryland: Learn more about the obesity epidemic among children and its devastating consequences. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program provides information and training throughout Maryland to educate the public about this critical health issue.

Tattoo Mania: Choose an exciting animal, insect, or sparkly tattoo to temporarily wear on your hand. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

The More Green, the More Clean: We will use a rainfall simulator to demonstrate how various forms of vegetation, bare soil, and pavement impact the quality of runoff water and the potential for water pollution during a rainstorm. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

The Versatility of Chicken Breast: Come watch as the Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association/Poultry Science demonstrates different ways to prepare chicken breast. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

The World Beneath Our Feet: Enter a special pit dug into a natural forested hillside to reveal the layers of mystery beneath our feet. Learn about the soil's texture, its food web and its geological history. A mini-camera uses fiber optics to show critters inside the soil as well as plant roots and aggregates. Shuttles are available from the Animal Sciences Courtyard to the Greenhouse Complex. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM outside the Greenhouse Complex.

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine: Information about the Vet School presented by faculty and staff-- academic requirements, career paths, current research projects and more. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Walk Through the Web of Life: Discover over 450 resources at your finger tips related to your everyday life including: Garden, Food, Nutrition and Health, Finances, Lawn, Natural Resources, Water Quality, Crops, Farm Animals, Family Life, Community and more. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

Wetlands: At Your Service: Wetlands are appreciated for their natural beauty and the wildlife they support. But did you know that wetlands can also remove pollutants from the water you drink, keep your house from flooding, and store carbon that might otherwise lead to global warming? Learn why wetlands are important and see what wetland scientists are studying. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

What Tree is This? Test your tree identification skills. Get an inside peek at our online forestry course. Ask about upcoming training opportunities. Check out our natural resource publications. All this and more as you learn about the many great forestry programs the Maryland Cooperative Extension has to offer. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Building.

What Types of Soils Do You Have at Your Home? Come use the new online Web Soil Survey to discover what types of soils are at your home or land. Attendees will locate their land using an online mapping system, print and tape home a map and description of the soils on the property, and have the opportunity to speak with a soil scientist about their soils. This event is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Science and Technology in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the lobby of the Animal Sciences Building.

Wildlife on Display: Get up-close and personal with local and exotic reptiles. Families enjoy hands-on learning about responsible pet ownership, the dangers of approaching wild animals, and the value of misunderstood creatures. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Yogurt and You: Enjoy FREE samples of La Yogurt courtesy of Johanna Foods, an AGNR partner! Nutrition and food science students will also be handing out information about the numerous health benefits of yogurt. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

For more information, contact Emilie Clingerman

Last updated: 04/23/2008