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Prince George's County
Fall 2014
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 As we move into winter and the holiday season, I hope that everyone will take this opportunity to help someone less fortunate enjoy the upcoming days. Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, food banks, animal shelters, and many other local charities are in overdrive at this time of year taking care of those who need a helping hand. As we appreciate our own families and friends, find time to extend a greeting and a smile to those who may need a lift.
 UME-PGC had the pleasure of hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA VOLUNTEER for the first time this year Esther Gray. Esther served as the Field of Greens (FOG) Community Garden Coordinator and turned a vacant soccer field into a thriving community garden in Riverdale. It has been a pleasure to have her on our team! We are truly sad to see her leave but wish her all the best in her future endeavors! Esther, Field of Greens would not have happened without you! Thank you for your service!
Wishing Happy Holidays to all; stay warm and safe,
Capitol Area Extension Director
University of MD Extension, Prince George's County
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We Hope to see you at the Image of Ag Symposium December 3!
The goal of the Symposium is to inform, educate and promote awareness of agriculture in everyday life. This event is open to consumers who are interested in knowing where and how their food is produced.
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Prince George's County Collaborations Lead to Great Results!
Prince George's Extension faculty and staff have collaborated with other county and state agencies along with local non-profits to present three major events in the past two weeks, along with presenting a local foods and wine tasting at our UME Open Houses! (Celebrations held at both Clinton and Riverdale.)
Crop Hop Bike Ride
 On October 25th, 320 riders gathered at Nottingham (home of the Patuxent Riverkeepers) to celebrate Prince George's County's farms by bike! Extension partnered with the Southern Md. Ag Development Commission (SMADC), Maryland National Capital Parks & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Prince George's County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Prince George's County Farm Bureau and local cycling clubs, farms and historical sites to offer the CROP HOP (A Cycling Tour of Southern Maryland Farms). This fundraiser bike tour highlights the connection between farms, fresh food and good health, and to help provide fresh farm foods to low-income families in Southern Maryland. Farm stops included Leighton Farm, Bald Eagle Farm, Romano Vineyard & Winery, Sunsplash Farm and P.A. Bowen Farmstead. There were activities for all ages at Mt. Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, the destination for the children's Sprout Route. Kim Rush Lynch, Interim Ag Marketing Consultant, provided the leadership for Extension efforts at this successful event which had over 300 cyclists! For more information about the 2014 Crop Hop, check out a recent article from the The Gazette and a blog post from a local cyclist.
Casey Trees: Tree Planting 
Staff at the Center for Educational Partnership in Riverdale joined with Casey Trees and many volunteers to plant 38 fruit and nut trees to establish a food forest in the new Field of Greens Community Garden (FOG). Casey Trees is a D.C . based non-profit organization that is committed to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the nation's capital. We want to extend a special thank you to Casey Trees as well as all the volunteers who participated in this wonderful event.
Field of Greens Dedication
Several days later, on October 29th, FOG held its dedication program. It was a cold, windy day but spirits were high as Drs. Wei and Wright, along with representatives from the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County, MNCPPC, Prince George's County Department of the Environment, Neighborhood Design Center, Riverdale Heights, Riverdale Hills and Crestwood Community Association, Partners of the Suburban Washington Resettlement Center, local politicians (Councilman Eric Olson and Delegate Tawanna P. Gaines), and many of the gardeners enjoyed a great feeling of satisfaction at making this dream come true for refugees from many countries. Americorps VISTA volunteer Esther Gray has been working for UME for 11 months to make this garden a reality-We know that the garden expansion will continue in the capable hands of our new Extension Coordinator at Riverdale, Michelle Nelson, and a new VISTA volunteer who will start work in late winter.
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4-H Robotics Program Participants Shine Around the County
2014 has been a very busy year for our county's 4-H Robotics program. Thanks to grants from U.S. First Organization, Lockheed Martin and Leidos, Inc, we were able to start a new teen First Tech Challenge (FTC) team called the ThunderDogs Robotics Club. This has been a welcomed addition to the county's two other robotics clubs for the younger 4-Hers.
In August, the teams participated in robotics demonstrations at the local National Night Out in District 2 as well as at the State Fair in Rocket's to the Rescue Program. After a busy summer, the teams started the school year off with robotics demonstrations at the Maryland State Fair and Prince George's County Fair. In October, they were given the distinguished
 honor to play a very central role in the 4-H National Youth Science Day Program at the Verizon Center. After attending the event's V.I.P. Breakfast, Christian Edwards (ThunderDogs 4-H Club) served along side Jennifer Sirangelo (4-H National President & CEO) as the satellite media spokesperson for the day. Jonathan Edwards, Karis Edwards and Casey Werhman served as V.I.P. greeters. In August, the Lego Pros and ThunderDogs Robotics Clubs were also invited by the National 4-H Council to provide demonstrations to Capitol Hill Staffing as they taught the National Youth Science Day experiment.
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The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Welcomes new Educators to the Center for Educational Partnership!
Edith Han started working with EFNEP in January to implement nutrition, physical activity, and cooking classes with youth in PGCPS's before and after care program (BASELP), along with youth in after school programs at middle and high schools. Edith has been instrumental in developing promotional and educational materials for our families and partners. Contact Edith at (301) 779-2806 ext. 709 or email her [email protected].
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Amy Hollar started working with EFNEP in April. She currently works with our youth nutrition program in collaboration with several schools. This past summer, she implemented our nutrition/physical activity classes with youth at Parks and Recreation's summer playgrounds, along with our nutrition, cooking, and gardening classes with youth in GapBuster's summer STEM program. Contact Amy at (301 779-2806 ext. 709 or email her at [email protected].
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Sydney Lewis started working with EFNEP in October. She will be working with PGCPS's before and after care program (BASELP) and will be implementing our in-school, science-based nutrition classes with middle schools, along with our after-school cooking/nutrition classes with various schools. Contact Sydney at (301) 779-2806 ext. 702 or email her at [email protected].
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Follow EFNEP on Twitter and our Blog on Facebook Like UME-Prince George's County Facebook |
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Food Day Symposium - Healthy Ideas to Chew On
Bowie State University Natural Sciences Department in Collaboration with USDA hosted their 4th annual Food Day Symposium on Friday, October 24, 2014 in collaboration with Prince George's Food Equity Council (FEC). Food Day is celebrated nationwide, and is the foundation for a movement toward healthier, more affordable, and sustainable food for all.
Speakers included Dr. Elizabeth H. Jeffrey who presented her research on how to enhance the anti-cancer efficacy of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. UME offered information at several exhibits including healthy eating and lettuce cup terrariums. The event concluded with breakout groups on Healthy & Hunger Free Youth, Healthy Food for Sale and Farming for Health and live cooking demonstration (with tasty samples!) by BSU Dining Services and Thompson Hospitality. |
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Sheridan Street Community Garden Prepping for Winter
The Sheridan Street Community Garden has been in winter preparation for the past couple of weeks! Green tomatoes are falling off the vine, collard greens are screaming for the first frost, and garlic bulbs are ready for planting.
 The Sheridan Street Community Garden had a very successful work day on November 15th, 2014 with a total of 40+ volunteers helping with winter garden prep. Riverdale Hills, Riverdale Heights and Crestwood Community members, University of Maryland students, William Wirt Middle School students, and Bladensburg High School Students all participated. We were excited to have one of CEP partners, Prince George's Clubhouse, volunteer as well. Thank you to all who participated; we hope you join us in the spring for a Growing Season Kickoff!
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2014 Montpelier Farms 4-H Day was a Huge Success!
 4-H'ers and families had a fantastic time at Montpelier Farms on Saturday October 18th. 4-H volunteers chatted with farm visitors about 4-H and shared upcoming opportunities. 4-H teens spent the day making over 300 make and take crafts! Duct tape pencil holders and beaded pumpkins were definitely the favorite crafts of the children visiting the farm. We would like to thank Montpelier Farms for hosting our Second Annual 4-H Day!
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