Close Encounters with Agriculture is a free award-winning program offered each year to Montgomery County fourth-grade students from the public, and private sectors. Since 1993, over 100,000 students have participated in this hands-on educational program designed to teach students about modern agriculture, maintaining a robust environment, and making healthy nutritional choices.

Impact Report

Teacher Testimonial
This trip compliments our focus on nutrition, ecosystems, and being more conscious of our environment.
Student Testimonial
You people have a great park, nice people, and lovely animals and together you make a great community.
Program Teacher Notebooks
-
Soils and Environment
Students will better understand how agricultural soil conservation best management practices affect water quality and our environment. Hands-on activities will help children learn about water quality, local soils, soil erosion, wildlife habitat, and things students can do at home to help keep water clean and safe.
Our program would not be possible without the generosity of our partners, and volunteers for the 2025-26 school year
Donors
We thank the following donors for helping to make the program successful:
- Laytonsville Turf Farm
- Brown Cow Creamery
- Oldways
Contact Us
Our program is closed for 2024, please check back in April of 2025.
If you are a school interested in our program, please reach out to our office.
