(HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND) – May 25, 2021– Barbara Hamilton of Marriottsville, Md., and Lynne Thomas of Fallston, Md., have been awarded the 2021 Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation Academic Scholarship. The MAEF Academic Scholarship was open to rising junior or senior undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in majors leading to careers in agricultural education or Extension education.
Hamilton is a full-time student at the University of Maryland College Park where she is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program in Secondary Education and Agriculture Science and Technology. Hamilton was an active member of the Maryland FFA in her high school ag program and a dedicated advocate of agricultural education in schools.
Hamilton states, “I will be a passionate teacher who cares deeply about agriculture, and that will be something my students notice and appreciate.”
Thomas is a full-time student at West Virginia University pursuing a degree in Agricultural & Extension Education with minors in Horticulture, Agribusiness Management, and Food Science & Technology. Thomas was an active member of the Maryland 4-H for 14 years and served as Maryland Dairy Princess from 2018-2019.
“My future goals in agriculture education include teaching in a middle or high school agri-science program and serving as an FFA Advisor at a Maryland school. I also want to become a leader in my community and state agriculture organizations to increase my agriculture outreach,” said Thomas.
The recipients of the MAEF Academic Scholarship will receive $1,500 each in support of their academic achievements and pursuit of a career in agricultural or Extension education.
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.
