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October 2:
Fight Heart Disease & Stroke
Fresh Conversations
Online Session
October 16:
Should You Worrry About Vitamin D?
Fresh Conversations
Online Session
November 3:
Election Day
Office closed
November 6: Eating Out & Eating Healthy Fresh Conversations Online Session
November 11: Veteran's Day Office closed
November 20: Dairy Case Dilemma Fresh Conversations Online Session
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Holiday Office closed
December 4: Ancient Grains Fresh Conversations Online Session
December 18: Sugar: Sinfully Sweet? Fresh Conversations Online Session
December 25: Christmas Day Office closed |
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September 2020
Dear friend of Extension,
We hope that you and your families are faring well as we continue to maneuver through these pandemic times. It is hard to believe that less than a year ago, we were celebrating the arrival of fall and all of the wonderful activities that go with it. Today, although fall is still celebrated for the cooler temperatures and the beginning of fall color, we all can't help but wonder when this will end and what happens next. We miss seeing so many of you have been visitors in our office through the years-- we hope you will be able to return in the near future.
I would like to share the sad news that John Kozenski, President of the Anne Arundel County Fair, passed away recently. John was a tireless advocate for the County Fair and for 4-H Youth Development programs. During the fair, John was easy to be found, since he seemed to be anywhere and everywhere. We in the Extension office and 4-H World will remember him fondly.
Our hope and expectation is that the fair will return next fall and we will all appreciate it even more after missing the 2020 fair.
Everyone stay safe- your children, spouse, extended family and you yourself!
Best,
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
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We're still in business, but with some differences!!
We have partially resumed operations at our office at Sunrise Farm and hope to see you soon! All visits will be by appointment only. No walk-ins are permitted. We will be working on a 'split" schedule which will include some telecommuting and also being in the office until County Exececutive Steuart Pittman clears us to be back in the office full-time.
As we return to part-time office work, certain guidelines are being followed: 
- Face masks must be worn and social distancing practiced at all times while at our facility.
- All visits will be on an appointment-only basis. The best way to reach the educators will be by email. We will only have 1 appointment at a time. Please come alone, do not bring anyone else with you.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please call the office from the parking lot and let us know you are here. You will receive a call when the person you are coming to see is ready. They will meet you at the door. They will meet with you outside if the weather is cooperating.
- We know this may seem inconvenient to some of you; these are county and university guidelines created to try to meet our mission of educating the public and our stakeholders and at the same time ensuring the safety of our faculty, staff and YOU!
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Soil Nutrients and How to Manage Them
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
Do you have questions about soil nutrients and managing them?
University of Maryland can help! For Landowners and Gardeners:
The University of Maryland Extension has many online resources available to individuals who may not qualify for a Maryland nutrient management plan. The Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) https://extension.umd.edu/hgic contains a wealth of knowledge including the  "Ask An Expert" section where you are able to upload a question, including photos, for Extension experts to answer. Clemson Extension provides a good overview on how to take photos so our Extension experts may be able to better assist you https://ter.ps/qnh. For m ore specific information on soil there are two sections of the HGIC website that may be of interest, Soil and compost https://ter.ps/qni, and Soil Testing Information https://ter.ps/qnj.For Farmers: The University of Maryland Extension is here to assist with your nutrient management planning needs. If you gross over $2500 in agricultural sales from your farm or have over 8000 lbs. of livestock, you are required by Maryland state legislation to have a nutrient management plan. We are happy to develop a plan for you in our office. Please email or call Kayla Griffith at [email protected], 410-222-3900. For more information related to our program and additional resources please visit https://extension.umd.edu/anmp. Happy Fall!
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Our Experts Are Here to Help!
For well over 100 years, University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland citizens and communities. We will not waiver from that promise. Our faculty and staff are developing new learning opportunities to continue to meet the needs of our stakeholders and clientele; we are committed to ensuring that you have the science-based information you need to protect your families, farms and communities whether in an urban, suburban or rural area of the state.
We are ready to serve you.
 While our offices are closed or only partially staffed, we are still working to provide assistance. Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.
Field visits: If needed and following social distancing protocol, we continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.
We are offering many classes remotely, and, in fact, you can attend classes across the state from the comfort of your home! |
Maintain a Healthy Routine to Cope During These Uncertain Times
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
Project Leader/Nutrition Educator
Set up a daily routine that fits with your natural rhythm. Most of us are working and learning from home. Create a routine that includes time to wake, completing normal tasks, and getting proper sleep. Setting alarms to keep you and the entire family on schedule is  very important; structure is a critical part of developing a sense of security and mastery, especially for children. Once your schedule is set for the week, post it in a visible place in your home. Don't be afraid to modify your schedule as needed on a weekly basis to best fit your family! Make the most of mealtimes. This is an opportunity for everyone to detach from their devices, and be present with family and friends. Choose meals that can be easily prepared when you don't have a lot of time; or prepare meals in advance to heat and serve on your busiest days. Family-favorite meals are always comforting, but keep mealtime exciting by trying new recipes. Search recipes by ingredient using MD SNAP-Ed's EatSmart Recipes and MyPlate Kitchen.  Schedule Self-Care. Take breaks! Go for a walk, find a virtual exercise class, play music & dance, call a friend you haven't talked to in a while, unplug and read a book, plan something fun to look forward to in athe next few days or weeks, or restart that hobby you used to enjoy-- all ways to take care of your self needs. It is important to pay attention to what your mind, body and spirit need. Taking care of your self can make you feel better and make coping during uncertain times more manageable. Wishing you wellness!
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Become an Anne Arundel County Master Gardener
Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are a group of gardening enthusiasts who are passionate about gardening, education, and volunteering in their community. The curriculum is presented by University of Maryland Extension faculty and trained Master Gardeners. The class scheduled for this fall-winter is already full but we have started a waiting list for a spring class if we see the need. Call for more information!
Click here for more information.
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Fresh Conversations Offered Online!
Please join Jeanette Jeffrey, University of Maryland Extension Educator, online for the series Fresh Conversations. Focused on older adults (50+ years of age), Fresh
Conversations features an array of nutrition, wellness, and health-related topics.
This 8-part series will meet the first and third Friday of each month beginning September 4th and ending December 18th.
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Our Agronomy Experts are Here to Help
While our offices are closed we are still working to provide assistance.
- Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.
- Field visits: If needed and following social distancing protocol, we continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.
- Online Resources: We are expanding online learning available at the websites below. Find online pesticide and nutrient voucher recertification here: https://go.umd.edu/iKp
We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agriculture Agents:
Alan Leslie
 301-542-7612 Ben Beale 301-481-7209 Dave Myers 410-980-1768
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Perhaps you have heard that the Anne Arundel County Fair was not held this year, along with most other county fairs. They were missed by many, but there were some virtual
activities in their place, including a livestock Sale of 4-H and FFA project animals. Hopefully next year we will be back to holding our wonderful County Fair.
Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more about 4-H! Visit our website or email the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at [email protected]. "4-H makes the best better!"
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Do you have a plant question? Pests in your house? Not happy with your lawn? The University of Maryland Home and
Garden Information Center can help. Visit their website:
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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.
Agriculture Newsletters
Agriculture Calendar of Events
For more information, please contact Dave Myers, Extension Educator, AGNR.
4-H offers plant and animal science programs for youth ages 8-18. See the 4-H website for more details. |
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Healthy Eating - Apple Parsnip Soup
4 apples, washed, peeled, cored and chopped
4 parsnips, washed, peeled and sliced
1 large sweet potato, washed, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, washed, sliced in large chunks
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried sage (optional)
8 cups low-fat or fat-free milk
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, mix vegetables, oil, salt, pepper, and sage (if used). Place vegetables in baking dish. Bake vegetables for 45 minutes. Let cool. Add vegetables to blender, in batches, with milk and blend until smooth. Put soup in large pot and warm for 15 minutes until heated through.
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Did you know...
With a little creativity, you can still have a spooky time without putting your health or the health of others at risk.
Click here to learn more.
Source: www.realsimple.com |
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Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900
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Area Extension Director Karol Dyson, AED
| Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
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Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
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Master Gardener Program
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
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4-H Youth Development
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
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Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
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Family and Consumer Sciences
Jeanette Jeffrey, Agent |  |
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