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May 25:
Memorial Day
Office closed.
July 4:
Independence Day
Office closed.
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May 2020
Hello,
Such a strange time we all are living through. Our daily routines have been turned upside down, but, like you, we are continuing to cope with the challenges and adjustments we have all had to make, some much more than others. We in Extension are working diligently and conscientiously to adapt many of our ongoing programs to the reality of today and are offering classes, demonstrations and helpful information to you through remote methods including webinars, classes, phone conversations, email and written information on the Internet. We in Extension are all still teleworking at this point, and have a staff person answering phones and forwarding referrals to educators. We are also on email daily with only a few exceptions so please let us know what we can do to support and assist you.
I expect that when we do return to "normal", it will be a new normal, probably even more driven by science and experiential learning opportunities than currently, to prepare all of us for the new challenges headed our way. If you need resources or advice on a particular sciences based issue, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
Stay safe and healthy,
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
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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, 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.
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Expert: 'Murder Hornets'
Still a Distant Threat
UMD Strategic Communications
First, a message of reassurance from University of Maryland Extension specialist and entomology Professor Emeritus Michael J. Raupp: That's probably not a "
murder hornet
" buzzing around your porch and adding to your stuck-at-home stress.
Since a
New York Times story
last week spawned interest-and horrified reactions-nationwide, Raupp said he's been "totally swamped with people sending me images of wasps they've found in their houses, but they're all turning out to be something we call the European hornet, which is very docile. You'd probably have to grab it to get it to sting".
Although amateur bug watchers can learn to tell the difference, it isn't irrational to be a bit on edge about these invasive pests, recently found in isolated colonies in the Pacific Northwest. Asian giant hornets, as entomologists commonly call them, grow to nearly two inches long-big enough for a few stings to be hazardous even if you aren't allergic. And their three-part strategy to destroy already-struggling bee colonies, which are crucial for agriculture, calls to mind an insect-world "Game of Thrones."
Raupp, aka "
The Bug Guy
" in his frequent media appearances, said there is some good news: While the species seems threatening, the murder hornet hasn't taken over the country,or even been anywhere in it at all except the NW corner -we just need to take steps to ensure that remains the case.
How soon could we expect Asian giant hornets to spread from the Pacific Northwest to here?
Left on their own without human assistance, the range for these guys is a matter of kilometers per year-certainly not tens of miles or anything close to that. So given their own natural biology, even with no intervention, it would take decades to become widely distributed throughout the United States.
So we're in the clear?
Here's the problematic piece. The colonies discovered in the Pacific Northwest were genetically distinct, suggesting multiple introductions from overseas. So in theory, a ship could leave a port  in Asia and sail across the Pacific, through the canal and up to the port of Baltimore or Norfolk, open up a container, and a single impregnated female could establish a new colony here. We're in a global economy, with an increasingly global biota, and with human transport, species can move very rapidly. However, we know from many studies that the likelihood for an exotic species to find a means of transit from its native home to a new one, survive a journey from afar across an ocean, arrive in a new land, best predators and the environment in the new land, and survive to reproduce, establish a breeding population and become a pest is very, very small.
"Murder hornets"-that's a drastic nickname. Is it really warranted?
It definitely sells newspapers. Is it an entomological term? Absolutely not. The term comes from a very unusual behavior they have. The hunting strategy of most hornets is to go out and find prey individually. They'll find a caterpillar, they'll chew it into a ball-a meatball, basically-and bring it back to the colony to feed the young. These hornets, however, have a three-phase attack and specialize on honeybees, which makes it super-duper problematic.
How so?
The first phase is just hunting individuals like other hornets. But in the autumn, they switch to a different hunting behavior and focus an attack on a single hive. As honeybees come out to defend it, the Asian hornets capture them, decapitate them and throw them on the ground in front of the hive. It's called the "slaughter phase," which led to the nickname. In the third phase, the "occupation phase," they move into the hive and post guards outside to attack any animals, other hornets or beekeepers who approach. Inside, they're pillaging and pulling larvae out of their cells to take back and feed their own babies. A study found that 30 hornets resulted in the death of about 25,000 honeybees in a matter of hours.
Are they a threat to people?
Oh yeah. Even the though the venom is only about half as
toxic as a honeybee's venom, the extraordinarily large size of these hornets results in delivery of a far, far greater volume of venom.
Learn more about the Asian giant hornet
click here.
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Preparing for the Second Wave
Janette Jeffrey, Healthy Living Educator
As the months unfold, scientists are learning daily the unique activity of the novel coronavirus, named COVID-19, which has led to a global pandemic. Because this is a new, never before seen virus attacking the human body, there is no straight-forward approach to fighting it.
With no vaccine in hand, coupled with the easing of stay-at-home restrictions, the risk of infection increases. As infection rates spike in areas that had seen a decline in COVID-19 cases, the need for restriction of movement may once again be necessary. Being prepared for this second wave is something we all can do to minimize our risk of illness, both physically and mentally. These include:
- Wash hands frequently
- Wear a mask when in public to reduce your risk of infecting others
- Maintain a minimum 6 feet physical distance from others
- If sick, remain home and seek medical advice
- Be mindful of practicing healthy habits that include: eating nutritious meals, reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, exercising, minimizing alcohol intake and reducing social isolation through safe interactions
Life as we knew it is not life as we know it now. For our mental wellbeing, we must shift our mindset to our "new normal." Our lives are not on hold, though, even if sometimes it may feel that way. Each and every day we are living our lives, even if differently than before COVID-19. Cherishing our family and friends, celebrating the resiliency of our community and working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those around us are things we can each practice daily.
For further information on how to protect your health and wellbeing, please visit these CDC COVID-19 related links:
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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.
Click here for more information.
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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 website 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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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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Did you visit the Anne Arundel County Fair this year? Did you wonder what in the world 4-H is all about? Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more! 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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Healthy Eating - Fabulous Fruit Muffins
1 ¼ cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup low-fat buttermilk or plain low-fat yogurt
2 Tablespoons margarine, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
1 cup berries, washed
Cooking oil spray
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin tin with cooking oil spray. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir well until all ingredients are blended. In another bowl, combine buttermilk or yogurt, margarine, egg, and vanilla, if used. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until mixed. Mix in berries, and spoon batter evenly into 9 muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
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Did you know...
Gardening isn't just for adults! According to the National Gardening Association, "it boosts kids'
interest in school and learning, improves their attitudes about eating healthful foods and caring for the environment, helps them develop social skills and self-esteem, and gives them a feeling of community spirit."
Click
here
to learn more.
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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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