July 2021
beach_stuff.jpg
Class XI Fellows Tour Kent and Queen Anne's Counties to Learn about Grain and Vegetable Industries
Photos by Chase Potter of Remsberg Inc.
Last month, Class XI Fellows gathered in-person for their 3-day seminar featuring the grain and vegetable industries of Kent and Queen Anne's Counties. Fellows began their seminar on June 15 at the University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center farm, where they learned about current grain crop research and drone technology, before continuing on to Boyle Brothers, Inc. to learn about grain and soybean seed processing.
Day 2 of the seminar featured stops at Arnold Farms, Oksana's Produce Farm, Chesapeake Fields Farmers Cooperative, Fair Hill Farms, and Grand View Farm. On Day 3, Fellows visited the Schmidt Farm and Godfrey's Market before heading home. Many of the presentations featured LEAD Alumni, including: Dr. Nicole Fiorellino (Class VIII), Eddie Boyle (Class III), Oksana Bocharova (Class VI), Evan Miles (Class VIII), Jennifer Debnam (Class VI), Jennie Schmidt (Class VI), and Alan Schmidt (Class V). We give special thanks to Jenny Rhodes (Class IV), Principal Agent of UME-Queen Anne's County, who joined the class for all 3 days and provided her expertise, and to Dr. Missy Welsh (Class X), Assistant Clinical Professor of UMD's Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Program, who managed to record key portions of the seminar. Thanks also to Chase Potter of Remsberg Inc. for capturing photos throughout Day 2.
For those who were able to arrive early, Eddie Draper (Class II), Wye Angus Program Manager at the University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center, provided a morning tour for Fellows to learn about the beautiful cattle, the research work with the cattle, and managing pastures at Wye Angus.
Fellows and Program faculty, staff, and guests adhered to University COVID safety guidelines, and completed daily sign-in forms and symptom checks.
It was so nice to have the class together again! We thank Class XI for their continued flexibility, enthusiasm, and dedication to LEAD.

NEW Facebook Group for
LEAD Program Alumni

The LEAD Maryland Alumni Facebook group is a private Facebook group dedicated to Program Alumni to come together, share industry news and events, discuss hot topics in agriculture and leadership, and to learn and grow with each other.

Special thanks to Jess Armacost (Class XI) and Kelly Dudeck (Class VII) for their work in creating this group.

NEW LEAD Program Information Sessions Announced!
Photo Credit: Edwin Remsberg of Remsberg Inc.
Are you or is someone you know interested in joining a future LEAD class? Curious to learn more about Program requirements, eligibility, benefits, and the application process?

Register to attend one of the following Information Sessions:

Tuesday, July 20 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) --- Register HERE.

Wednesday, Augusts 25 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) --- Register HERE

Thursday, September 9 (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) --- Register HERE

These brief, one-hour, virtual (Zoom) sessions offer potential applicants the opportunity to learn more about the Program and the application process, and to hear from Alumni and current Fellows about their experiences in LEAD and how the Program helped advance their personal, professional, and community servant leadership goals. Sessions are FREE to attend, but registration in advance is required.

Additional instructions, including the Zoom link and details to access the event, will be provided in a confirmation email following registration.
Applications for LEAD Class XII (2022-2023) Open Now through October 1
We are currently accepting applications for LEAD Class XII for participation in 2022-2023.

To apply, please first review the Class XII Program Information and Calendar and the Class XII Statement of Understanding and Code of Ethics to familiarize yourself with the Foundation's mission and Program curriculum, and to ensure that you are able to fully commit to participation in Class XII. After reviewing these documents, please complete the online application, and then have 3 references complete and submit this form directly to LEAD Program faculty and staff by October 1, 2021.

The LEAD Maryland Selection Committee will review all applications and references, and schedule interviews with individuals that will be held in October. The LEAD Maryland Foundation Board of Directors will make the final class decisions and notify selected candidates by email in November/December. The first seminar of the 2-year Fellowship will take place in January 2022.

All application materials are found on LEAD's website: www.leadmaryland.org. Additional questions may be directed to LEAD Maryland Foundation Executive Director, Susan R. Harrison at 410-703-1094; or LEAD Maryland Foundation Program Director, Debbie Simpkins at 410-443-4867.

SAVE THE DATE
September 2, 2021
Volunteer to Scoop Ice Cream
at the
Maryland State Fair

It's that time of year again when LEAD Maryland Alumni are invited to come to the Maryland State Fair and volunteer for the sweetest job possible: scooping ice cream at the Maryland State Fair's Dairy Bar on Thursday, September 2! This is a key fundraising activity of the Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee. Alumni can sign up for one of the following shifts and spend a few hours reconnecting with friends, meeting Alumni from other LEAD classes, and enjoying some delicious ice cream as well.

The following shifts will be available:
  • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Parker Welch (Class X) is organizing the event and working on an electronic sign-up form to make the process as easy as possible. We will provide more details as they are made available, so hold the date and stay tuned!

For more information about the fair, visit: http://www.marylandstatefair.com/

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LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc.
124 Wye Narrows Drive/ Queenstown, MD 21658
Email: leadmd@umd.edu
Phone (office): 410-827-8056 / (mobile) 410-703-1094