Environment & Natural Resources

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (September 26) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and tour the on-campus farm.

Wild bees play a critical role globally in pollination.  This presentation will examine wild bees generally, illustrating their characteristics, their importance in the food chain, and the challenges they currently face in this changing world.  As a group, we will discuss recommendations on how to support these key pollinators and how to make your landscapes more bee-friendly.

Garden Discovery Days - Discover Vegetables! (9/28) - will meet requirements for Girl Scout Junior Gardener badge (Grades 4-5)

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and learn the essentials of vegetable gardening and garden design, then plant your own!

See different types of plants, including how, when and where they grow best.

Experiment and closely examine the effects of sun, water, and soil types on plant growth.

Participate in an optional hike.

Program is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes long.

Suggested for grades 4 - 5.

Discover Vegetables! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Junior Garden Badge.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 6 children in your group. Tickets are $15 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

Discover Nature! (9/28) - will meet requirements for: Daisy Clover Petal & Eco Learner Badge and Cub Scout Tiger Into the Wild (Grades K-1)

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and learn about nature from Master Gardener guides.

Learn how to prepare for, explore, and protect nature by using resources wisely, and to Leave No Trace.

Read about examples of resourcefulness and practice re-purposing with a craft.

Program is approximately 1 hour long.
Suggested for grades K - 1.

Discover Nature! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Daisy Clover Petal and Eco Learner Badge and Cub Scout Tiger in the Wild Adventure.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 3 children. Tickets are $12 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

September 28th PM - Discover Trees (will meet requirements for Girl Scout Cadette Trees & Cub Scout Arrow of the Light Into the Woods (Grades 5-8))

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, explore the connection between trees and humans, and visit an orchard!

Study tree anatomy and learn to distinguish between them.

Have some fun and make art with leaves.

Program is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes long.

Suggested for grades 5 - 8.

Discover Trees! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette Trees Badge and the Scouts BSA Arrow of Light Into the Woods Badge.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 10 children in your group. Tickets are $12 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

September 27 PM Discover Art Outdoors will meet requirements for Girl Scout Cadette Art Apprentice badge and the Scouts BSA Art merit badge, besides visiting an art museum/exhibit (Grades 6-12)
Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and discover ways nature has inspired artists.

Learn about art principles and use nature and gardens as subject matter.

Use drawing, painting, and photography/recording to create works of art in class.

The program is approximately 3 hours long.

Suggested for grades 6 - 12.

Discover Outdoor Art! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette Outdoor Art Apprentice and most of the Scouts BSA Art Merit Badge requirements (excludes visiting an art museum).

Come dressed for the weather. Kids should bring a cell phone capable of taking sound and photography. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone per 10 children in grades 6-8, or 1 chaperone per 12 children for grades 9 -12. Tickets are $20 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

September 27 AM Discover Bugs will meet requirements for Girl Scout Brownie Bugs badge (Grades 2-3)

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and learn about good and bad bugs from a specialist.

Take a field trip with a Master Gardener to the garden to see where and how bugs live.

Explore different bug homes and then craft one for your own backyard.

The program is approximately 1 hour long.

Suggested for grades 2 - 3.

Discover Bugs! will meet requirements for the Girl Scout Brownie Bug Badge.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 6 children in your group. Tickets are $15 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

The Montgomery County Master Gardeners will be offering programs for children grades K-12 (including Scouts) on September 13, 27, and 28 at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park (Address: 18400 Muncaster Rd, Derwood, MD 20855).

September 13: Discover The Harvest! will meet requirements for the Girl Scout SOW What Journey (Grades 9-10)

Learn what "local" actually means when it comes to food.

Unearth what grows locally in Montgomery County, both naturally and by cultivation.

Have a taste of seasonal foods and learn how seasonal crops are grown now and in the past.

Explore food sustainability and security issues in Montgomery County, along with ideas on how to help.

Program is approximately 4 hours long.

Recommended for Grades 9 - 12.

This program was developed for high school students and will meet the Girl Scout Senior SOW What Journey. This program may have requirements besides the Take Action Project.

Please bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone per 12 children. Tickets are $20 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

The 2025 Maryland State Fair is back for three weekends of fun! The dates are August 21-24, August 28- September 1, and September 4-7. 

The 2025 Maryland State Fair is back for three weekends of fun! The dates are August 21-24, August 28- September 1, and September 4-7.