BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
INFORMATIONAL REPORT
PRESENTATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
MAGNET PROGRAM PROPOSED FOR NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
DECEMBER 3, 2007
Background Information:
At the November 27, 2006 meeting of the Board of Education of Harford County, the Board
gave approval for continued support of development and implementation of the Natural
Resources and Agricultural Sciences Magnet Program at North Harford High School. In the
summer of 2007 a group was organized for the purpose of studying program development in four
areas of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences. This group was made up of 30
individuals, representing Natural Resources, local industry, Harford County Public Schools, and
Harford County Government. This group developed a mission statement for the Program, to
include:
 To provide students with essential knowledge, experience and opportunities for pursuing
academic, vocational and recreational futures in the management of natural resources and
agriculture.
 To develop future leaders, business owners, and advocates to support the growth of Maryland
industries related to Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences.
Members of the Local Program Advisory Committee for the Natural Resources and Agricultural
Sciences Magnet Program include:
Animal Science Strand
 Aimee Densmore (NHHS), Strand Facilitator
 Jackie Smith (JHS), Strand Facilitator
 Tom Scher (AMS)
 John Sullivan (Harford County Government)
 Jay Rickey (NHMS)
 Beth Harkins (Harkins Hill Farm)
 Dr. Kim Holloway (Veterinarian)
Natural Resources Strand
 Greg Murrell (NHHS), Strand Facilitator
 Cindy Etgen (MD-DNR), Strand Facilitator
 Frank Lopez (MD-DNR Forestry)
 Gary Davis (Director, Harford Soil Conservation District)
 Tom Harned (CMW)
 Dan Magness (Harford County Farm Bureau and Magness Dairy Farm and Museum)
Plant Science Strand
 Holly Woodward (NHHS), Strand Facilitator
 Dene’ Bruce (NHHS)
 George Mayo (Executive Director MAEF)
 Evonne Woolford (JHS)
 David Thompson (Foxborough Nursery)
 Amy Vaughn (PMES – Harford County Farm Bureau)
Equine Science Strand
 Melissa McNutt (Harford County Government), Strand Facilitator
 Martha Straus (BAHS)
 Karen Leffew (SHMS)
 Cynthia Warner (MD Extension Service)
 Billy Boniface (Harford County Government, Bonita Farm)
 Jeannie Willems (Nutramax)
 Dr. Amy Burk (University of Maryland)
 Teri Weston (Harford Community College)
In addition to these individuals, the following post-secondary institutions have expressed interest
in the Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences Magnet Program at North Harford High
School:
 Harford Community College
 University of Maryland, College Park
 University of Maryland Institute of Applied Agriculture
 University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
 Delaware State University
 Allegany College of Maryland
 Penn State University
 University of Delaware
 Garrett College
 Delaware Valley College
 CCBC Dundalk
 Cecil College
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute
After researching the projected Maryland and regional job markets in Natural Resources and
Agricultural Sciences industries, there will be 52,000 annual job openings predicted through
2010 (Source: USDA/Purdue University), with only 49,200 graduates available to fill these
openings. The best opportunities are predicted to be in the following areas:
 Environmental science & management
 Sales & marketing
 Food safety & bio-security
 Plant & animal genetics
 Animal health care & well being

Food systems nanotechnologies
Discussion:
The Board of Education received an informational report on November 27, 2006, which
contained information pertaining to the larger Program Advisory Committee, as well as
influential state leaders in Harford County who support the Natural Resources & Agricultural
Sciences Program. These individuals include:
 William K. Boniface, Maryland Young Farmers’ Advisory Board
 Lee McDaniel, Chair, Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts
 Bob Tibbs, Past President, American International Charolais Association and Harford County
Farm Bureau
 Henry Holloway, Past President, Maryland Farm Bureau
 David Crowl, Board Member, Dairy Farmers of America
 David Thompson, Past President, Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association
 Lawrason Sayre, Past President, American Angus Association
Upon completion of meetings through the summer of 2007 and into the fall of 2007 which
included the Local Agricultural PAC Members, members of the Program Development
Committee, and MSDE, the group recommended the proposed strands, as follows:




Animal Science (comprised of breeding, genetics, nutrition, medicinal developments for
livestock, etc.);
Natural Resources (comprised of courses such as Soil Science, Wildlife Management,
aquaculture, forestry, wetlands management, etc.);
Plant Sciences (comprised of field crops, vegetable production, ornamental/environmental
plant production, soils, Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, pesticides,
etc.); and
Equine Science (comprised of courses such as nutrition, safety, veterinary science,
conformation, business, husbandry, etc.; and of breeding, genetics, nutrition, medicinal
developments for livestock, etc.).
All four of the program strands require an understanding of Geospatial Technology resulting in
students gaining certification in Global Positioning System and Geographical Information
System.
In moving toward implementation of a magnet program, the following timeline has been
submitted:
Spring 2008
 Program Coordinator included in FY 2009 Budget
Summer 2008
 Curriculum Identified and Curriculum Writing
 Course Identification Finalized
Fall 2008



Articulation Connection
Funding and Partnerships Commitments
GCC Presentations
Spring 2009
 GCC Presentations
 Staffing Finalized
 Facility and Equipment Acquisition
 Funding and Partnership Commitments
 Marketing of Magnet (Brochures/Video/Theme/Logo)
Summer 2009
 Curriculum Revisions
 Funding and Partnership Commitments
Fall 2009
 Application Process Begins
 Magnet Informational Meetings
Spring 2010
 Staff Hiring and Assignment
 Application Process Finalized (Notification of Applicants)
Fall 2010
 Open Magnet Program with Grade 9
Upon review of this timeline, the most significant aspects are funding for:
 Program Coordinator
 Summer curriculum writing (summer 2008)
 Facility specifications and requirements for the program
 Purchase of existing curriculum (ex.: geospatial technology)
 Marketing strategies
 Development of an application to the program
The following future funding sources have been identified:
 STEM Grants (MSDE)
 Perkins Grants (supporting Career Completer Programs)
 Chesapeake Bay Trust
 Maryland Horse Industry Board
 Maryland Horse Breeders Foundation
 Harry H. Hughes Center for Agro-ecology
 United States Department of Agriculture
 Corporate Sponsors
 Business Sponsors
Superintendent’s Recommendation:
1.
2.
3.
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the concepts and
programs of the Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences Magnet Program.
The Superintendent recommends that the Board approve the addition of a half-time
Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences Magnet Program Coordinator be included in
the FY09 Board of Education Operating Budget Request.
The Superintendent recommends that the Board instruct the Steering Committee to
develop a curriculum and materials task list and timeline for consideration at a future
Board meeting.