Frederick, MD (October 4th & 5th 2025) — More than 300 young people tested their skills, strength, and agricultural knowledge at the 2nd Annual University of Maryland Extension (UME) Frederick County Agriculture Olympics, held this past weekend at Rose Hill Manor Park, home to the Frederick County Farm Museum Fall Festival.
Throughout the weekend, youth and families participated in a variety of “Olympic-style” games that represented different aspects of local agriculture, including Straw Bale Stacking Races, Cow Milking Competitions, Compost Chaos Sorting Games, Herb Hunting Challenges, Drone Demonstrations, and Egg Operation Games.
While the games provided plenty of laughter and competition, they also offered meaningful lessons about agriculture and the people who make it possible. Participants learned how farmers use technology to increase yields, how healthy soil supports food production, and how milk, eggs, and herbs make their way from farms to tables. At each station, youth also discovered key character traits of successful farmers—such as being gentle, patient, hardworking, smart, innovative, and resilient—helping to challenge common stereotypes about farmers and highlight the skill and care involved in agricultural work.
“Our goal with the Agriculture Olympics is to connect young people and families with the agricultural community in a hands-on, engaging way,” said Anna Glenn, UME 4-H Agent. “By experiencing agriculture through play, youth not only have fun but also gain a deeper appreciation for the intelligence, creativity, and compassion that define modern farmers.”
Originally created to bridge the growing divide between consumers and the agricultural community, the Agriculture Olympics has quickly become a signature outreach event for UME Frederick County. The program brings together educators from multiple Extension disciplines and more than a dozen community partners to provide accessible agricultural education to urban and suburban audiences.
The Agriculture Olympics was hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation, which owns and operates the historic Rose Hill Manor Park. The event was part of the long-running Farm Museum Fall Festival—a beloved Frederick County tradition featuring bluegrass music, tractor rides, historic home tours, live animals, and hands-on demonstrations celebrating the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
The 2025 event was made possible through the generous support and participation of local partners, including Horizon Farm Credit, Frederick County Farm Bureau, Frederick County Office of Agriculture/Homegrown Frederick, Maryland Agriculture Council, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Maryland 4-H, Maryland 4-H All Stars, Frederick County Master Gardeners, Frederick County Parks and Recreation, Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums, Frederick County Farm Museum, The Great Frederick Fair, Brookfield Pumpkins LLC, Maryland FFA Association, the Community Foundation of Frederick County, and Saputo.
As the event continues to grow, organizers hope to inspire more young people to explore careers in agriculture and deepen public understanding of where their food comes from.
For more information about upcoming youth programs or to learn how to bring the Agriculture Olympics to your community, contact University of Maryland Extension – Frederick County 4-H at amglenn@umd.edu or visit extension.umd.edu/frederick-county.