Apply by March 25 for UMES AgDiscovery summer camp

Area middle and high school students currently in grades 8-11 can apply now for the 2021 AgDiscovery summer program slated for Sunday, June 13 to Saturday, June 26, at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.

Campers will reside on campus unless COVID-19 concerns mandate a shift to a virtual experience.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, AgDiscovery is a free opportunity for students to explore agricultural sciences and gain knowledge about related careers, such as wildlife management, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, entomology, food safety, food production, agribusiness and forestry.

The UMES program is in its ninth year and has introduced more than 140 students to the diverse careers and opportunities in the field, said Corrie Cotton, a research assistant professor in the UMES Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences and one of the summer camp organizers.

“Participants learn through a series of hands-on labs, workshops, research projects and field trips,” she said. “They also have the unique experience of interacting with scientists conducting state-of-the-art research at the UMES Agricultural Experiment Station and at regional research centers.”

The camp is free, but students must apply by Thursday, March 25. To obtain the application package, go to aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery. For more information, contact Corrie Cotton at 410-651-6630.