Action Alert: Support Needed for Southern High School Greenhouse Upgrade

Hello Parker,

The Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau wanted to make everyone aware of an important issue impacting the Southern High School Agriculture Education Program and ask for your support.

The Anne Arundel County Board of Education adopted its FY2027 budget request, including $25,000 specifically for the mechanical upgrade to the control system for the greenhouse at Southern High School. Unfortunately, the current County budget does not include this funding.

We need your help!

We need members of our agriculture community to provide written or in-person testimony at the upcoming County Budget Hearing on May 19 to help restore this funding.

Here are several important points to include in testimony:

• The Anne Arundel County Board of Education adopted its FY2027 budget request, including $25,000 specifically for the mechanical upgrade to the control system for the greenhouse at Southern High School.
• This funding is critical to support hands-on agricultural education through the school’s Career and Agricultural Science Education (CASE) / FFA program. The greenhouse enables practical learning in plant propagation, hydroponics/aquaponics, greenhouse management, sales, and career skills.
• The Anne Arundel County Agriculture Commission has expressed strong support for the expansion of the Southern High School Agriculture Program and stresses the urgency of ensuring the program has a fully operational greenhouse to sustain and grow these efforts.
• The broader agriculture community has strongly supported the program’s expansion. Last year, the County Council approved a $70,000 line item specifically for agriculture programs within the county. This year, AACPS is expanding agriculture programs to other schools in the county; however, they need a fully operational greenhouse at Southern High School to support this growth.
• Agriculture is the number one industry in Maryland, and Anne Arundel County must recognize that educating our youth in agriculture ensures the future of this vital industry.

Take Action Now!

The next Budget Hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM at Severn Run High School. If you are willing to submit testimony or attend this hearing, please sign up using the buttons below.

Example Testimony & Tips

If you're not sure how to start crafting your testimony, here are some examples for inspiration:

• "As a lifelong farmer, I understand firsthand the importance of agricultural education and investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders. I have been involved with the Southern High School FFA program since 2011 and have seen the tremendous impact the program has had on students through hands-on learning experiences and career development opportunities."
• "As an alumnus of the Southern High School Agriculture program, I can personally attest to the tremendous impact this program has had on my life academically, morally, and civically. The agricultural education opportunities provided through Southern High School helped shape my work ethic, leadership abilities, sense of responsibility, and passion for agriculture."
• "As a lifelong Anne Arundel County resident and supporter of agricultural education, I have seen firsthand how the Southern High School greenhouse gives students real-world skills, confidence, and career opportunities that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom."

Remember, when writing testimony, it's important that your communication is personal, specific, respectful, and focused on one clear ask. Here are a few more tips that may be helpful:

• Start with who you are and your connection to the issue
  (“I am a parent,” “I’m an FFA alumnus,” “I own a local farm,” etc.)
• Explain why the greenhouse matters personally or locally
  Personal stories are often more persuasive than statistics alone.
• Mention one or two concrete benefits
  Examples: career training, STEM education, workforce development, leadership, food systems, or support for Maryland agriculture.
• Keep the ask simple and direct
  “Please restore the $25,000 funding request for the Southern High School greenhouse control system upgrade.”
• Avoid sounding overly political or confrontational
  Decision-makers are more receptive to constructive testimony.
• Encourage authenticity over perfection
  Twenty unique personal testimonies are usually stronger than twenty identical form letters.

Like what we're doing at Farm Bureau?

Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau · 2857 Davidsonville Rd · Davidsonville, MD 21035 · USA