Maryland Farm & Harvest Middle School Lesson Starters
Explore Maryland's rich farming heritage as students visit farms around the state. These lesson starters allow middle school students to dig into the daily work of farmers, from growing microgreens with the best traits to using soil properties to make agricultural decisions.
Select a topic below to find video clips, essential and guiding questions, learning extensions, and other student supports to use in your classroom.
Apples grown in orchards come in all shapes and sizes. Many also appear in different colors and have different tastes to them, some sweeter than others. However, new types of apples are constantly emerging in grocery stores. How do farmers create new apples?
Maryland is home to a great deal of fertile soil throughout the state. However, depending on what region of Maryland you are in, you will find that there is a variety of different types of soil. What are the advantages and disadvantages of various types of soil for farmers?
Microgreens are growing in popularity due to their nutritional value, health benefits, and overall taste compared to other leafy green vegetable alternatives. So, how are farmers able to grow microgreens with enhanced characteristics such as flavor, color, texture, and nutritional content?
> Go to Microgreens - Artificial Selection
Mushrooms can be found growing out of the ground in soil or even on trees in many grassy areas and forests. Certain mushrooms are considered a delicacy and used as an ingredient in culinary dishes. However, live mushrooms play a major role in helping the ecosystem. Why are mushrooms important for our environment?
Maryland is known for its oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Oyster gardening and farming are popular among farmers who produce oysters for restaurants and markets. Besides being delicious, oysters are an important species for the Chesapeake Bay. What makes oysters a keystone species to preserve the health of the Bay?
