Solutions in Your  Community


In This Issue

July 17:
MG Composting  Demonstration

July 20:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

Pollinator Corner
Quiet Waters Park

July 27:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

Pollinator Corner
Quiet Waters Park

July 28-August 2:
AA Co. 4-H Camp

August 3:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

MG Composting Demonstration

Pollinator Corner
Quiet Waters Park

August 7:
Crops Research, BBQ & Ice Cream Social

August 10:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

August 14:
Face-to-Face Volunteer Training

August 17:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

August 18:
Pollinator Corner
Hancock's Resolution

August 21:
MG Composting Demonstration

August 22- Sept. 2
Maryland State Fair

August 24:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

Pollinator Corner
Quiet Waters Park

August 31:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

September 2:
Labor Day
Office closed

September 7:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

MG Composting Demonstration

September 8:
Pollinator Corner
Hancock's Resolution

September 11-15:
Anne Arundel Co. Fair

September 14:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

Gardening in a Changing Climate
West County Library

September 18:
MG Composting Demonstratioon

September 21:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic

September 28:
Ask-a-MG Plant Clinic
June-July 2019

We hope you have been taking advantage of the wonderful fruits and vegetables available at Maryland Farmers' Markets here in Anne Arundel County this summer. There are many opportunities available to eat locally produced food that is fresh, tasty, and fun. 

Coming up later this month is the SMADC Buy Local Celebration, to be held this year at Spider Hall Farm in Calvert County. This is a fun public event that attracts farmers, vendors, crafters and many others from the 5 Southern Maryland counties. Click on this link for details and tickets!

Check out the other events discussed later in this issue and STAY COOL!
 
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
Mark Your Calendar!  
 
Crops Research Twilight, Barbecue and Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 4:00-9:00
CMREC, Upper Marlboro, MD

You are invited to attend a Field Crops Research Twilight, Barbecue and Ice Cream Social at the Central Maryland Research & Education Center, 2005 Largo Road, Upper  Marlboro,Maryland on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm A barbecue dinner will be served at 4:00 pm followed by homemade ice cream prior to the evening tour.

University of Maryland Extension Educators and Specialists will showcase their field crop, vegetable and fruit research plots.

Click here to learn more.
Making a Budget
Priscilla Graves, Extension Educator 

A budget is a plan that shows you how you can spend your money every month. It is a plan that balances money coming in (income) with money going out (expenses). Making a budget can help you make sure you do not run out of money each month. A budget also will help you save money for your goals or for emergencies.

How do I make a budget?
 
1. Write down your expenses. Expenses - the money you plan to spend on things you need or        want. Expenses include:
 
Bills:
  • Bills that are the same each month, like rent
  • Bills that might change each month, like utilities
  • Bills you pay once or twice a year, like car insurance
Other expenses like:
  • Gas
  • Food
  • Entertainment
  • Clothes
  • School supplies
  • Money for family
  • Unplanned expenses, like car repairs or medical bills
  • Credit card bills
You might have bills that change every month. Look at what you paid for the same month last  year. You might need $200 for your gas bill in January, but $30 in July.

2. Write down how much money you make. This includes your paychecks and any other 
    money  you get, like child support. 

3. Subtract your expenses from how much money you make. This number should be more            than zero. If it is less than zero, you are spending more money than you make. Look at your      budget to see what you do not need or what you could spend less money.  

How do I use my budget?
 
You can use your budget every month:
  • At the beginning of the month, make a plan for how you will spend your money that month. Write what you think you will earn and spend.
  • Write down what you spend. Try to do this every day.
  • At the end of the month, see if you spent what you planned.
  • Use the information to help you plan the next month's budget.
Contact Priscilla Graves, the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, via email [email protected] or call 301-868-9410 if you have questions about how to create a budget.
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:
The Heat is On!!
Jeanette Jeffrey, Healthy Living Educator

With Maryland summer temps stretching for days into the mid to high 90s the need for re-hydration is imperative. Why is water so vital and what exactly does water do in our body?
The cells of our body do A LOT of work every second of the day, even when we are at rest. Our cells both swim in water and contain water. In fact, approximately 60% of the human body is made up of water which needs to be maintained in order for our cells to work properly.
What is the function of water in the body?
  • Keeps the body temperature normal
  • Lubricates and cushions the joints
  • Protects the spinal cord and tissues
  • Flushes out waste from the body through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
How does our body lose water?
  • Increased perspiration (aka sweating)
  • Exercise
  • Breastfeeding
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
What are the best ways to return water to the body?
  • Drink water throughout the day, even when not thirsty. FACT: As we age we lose the ability to sense thirst which can quickly lead to dehydration.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables that have a high water content. The top ones are: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, and celery.
  • Add fruit to water to add flavor, vitamins and minerals (lemon, lime, strawberries, etc.).
How much water is needed per day?
Water consumption needs vary depending upon the age, height, sex, activity level, and health status of an individual. According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an adequate daily fluid intake (obtained from drinking water and eating foods high in water content) is:
  • Approximately 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
  • Approximately 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
Summertime may bring the heat but it also provides an abundance of delicious, nutritious, water-packed fresh fruits and vegetables. So grab your refillable water bottle and head out to your local farmers market or roadside stand today!

References:

Anne Arundel County 4-H at the 2019 Maryland 4-H  Horse Judging
and Hippology Contests
Christa Stibolt, 4-H Program Assistant
 
June 15th brought unseasonably beautiful weather to Howard County Fairgrounds for contest day. Team members worked hard all day on a written test, seven nice classes of horses to judge, reasons, and identification stations. On this relatively new team, only one team member, Dianne Russell, had been to the Horse Judging and Hippology Contests before, and she was a wonderful mentor and example for her new teammates. 

In Horse Judging, Jocelyn Burchell was 7th in Junior Conformation Judging, 10th in Junior Performance Judging, and 7th place Junior Overall. Grace Lathroum was 2nd in Junior Performance and 10th place Junior Overall. 

In the Intermediate Horse Judging Division, Summer Mrotek was 8th in Conformation and 9th Overall; while Dianne Russell was 5th in Conformation, 3rd in Reasons, and 7th overall. 

The Anne Arundel Intermediate Team earned the third place spot. Caydence Lowe, Summer Mrotek, and Dianne Russell were the team members. 

Special congratulations to Emily Newland who braved the Senior Horse Judging Contest on her own in her first year of competing!  

In the Hippology Contest (the most comprehensive horse contest by far), Caydence and Emily earned white ribbons, Jocelyn and Summer earned red ribbons, Grace earned a blue ribbon and 5th place, and Dianne earned a blue ribbon and 7th place. 

Congratulations to the entire Anne Arundel County team for their outstanding placings, and also for enduring the hardships and stress (no talking!) of the all day contest. The entire team spent weeks studying, learning, and practicing for the big day. I'd like to recognize Abby Booze and Falyn Newland who practiced with the team but were unable to attend the contest.

Thank you to the great coaches, Dayna Russell and Kim Zulauf, who kept everything running smoothly both at practices and on contest day.We would also like to recognize the amazing parents who committed to bringing their children to practices, made sure everyone had the supplies they need, and sat through a very long and boring contest day. None of this would be possible without you!
Fuel into Fertilizer: Cost Analysis
R. David Myers, Agent

Higher fertilizer costs are based on higher fuel costs. Why? To answer that question we need to understand the role of fossil fuels in the production of fertilizers. There is a distinct relationship between energy and fertilizer, especially for nitrogen production. An estimated 0.8% of the total United States annual energy consumption is presently being used for fertilizer production. The production of anhydrous ammonia (NH3), which requires approximately 6300 Kcal/lb of nitrogen, represents nearly two-thirds of the total energy used for all fertilizers. Energy
 consumption values for the production of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are estimated  at 1250 Kcal/lb of phosphate (P2O5) and 1000 Kcal/lb of potash (K2O). It is ironic that 80% of
 the air we breathe is nitrogen (N2) gas, which is completely unavailable for plant growth (except for legumes utilizing the nitrogen fixation process). It takes energy, lots of it to generate hydrogen (H) from natural gas or methane (CH3), capable of combining under intense heat and pressure with N2 gas to create ammonia (NH3).  As the world's supplies of natural niter nitrogen deposits (bat guano) were dwindling, the German Chemist Fritz Haber in 1909 developed a catalytic  process to produce ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen (N2). Haber successfully demonstrated the process by making ammonia from air, drop by drop, at the rate of about 4 ounces per hour. The Haber process was purchased by the German chemical company BASF, which assigned chemist Carl Bosch the task of scaling up Haber's tabletop machine to industrial-level production; Bosch succeeded in 1910. Haber and Bosch were later awarded Nobel prizes, in 1918 and 1931 respectively, for their work in overcoming the chemical and engineering problems of large-scale, continuous-flow, high-pressure technology. The simplified high heat and high pressure Haber/Bosch nickel catalyst process looks like this:

1 ton NH3 = 38,180 ft3 CH3 + 9 gal Fuel Oil + 54 kwh Electric

The amount of natural gas required to produce 5 tons of ammonia (NH3) would heat the average home in Maryland for the entire winter. This same amount of natural gas, converted into nitrogen fertilizer, results in enough corn production to satisfy the minimum caloric requirements of 275 people for a year. Be sure to thank our Maryland farmers for reducing energy and fertilizer usage every year by following their nutrient management plan.
Happy Lavender Day at Hancock's Resolution
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

Hancock's Resolution Lavender Day, June 23rd was a resounding success! 139 visitors
 enjoyed lavender cookies and scones, lavender sun tea, and recipe sharing. Guests could also test their knowledge of lavender with a trivia quiz or make a lavender wand, sachet or fire starter.  Costumed docents provided tours of  the 1785 farmhouse, outbuildings, and graveyard.  The kitchen and door yard gardens were also open for visitation.  Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners have two projects at Hancock's Resolution.  One Master Gardener project maintains two hives and provides monthly honey bee education programs and demonstrations on site.  Another Master Gardener team tends the kitchen and door yard gardens to demonstrate 18 gardening practices.  Historic receipts document that there were two hives and that lavender was grown and sold in Baltimore.  For those unfamiliar with this 18 century gem, the farm is a site on the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and is located at 2795 Bayside Beach Road in Pasadena.  For more information:
4-H Livestock Auction and the Anne Arundel County Fair

You are invited to meet 4-H youth involved in raising livestock this year  at the 4-H Livestock Auction to be held at the Anne Arundel County Fair on September 14, 2019.  The general public is invited to attend the auction, register as a potential buyer, and enjoy a farm to table dinner provided by the 4-H families. These events support our local 4-H members and turn the 4-H slogan, "Learn by Doing" into a reality. Buyers are invited to arrive at 6 pm to register for a bidder's number before the dinner.

The Livestock Auction caps a year of hard work for Anne Arundel County 4-Hers as they learn about and raise steers, hogs, lambs, and goats through their market projects. Check out the 4-H Schedule of Events for more opportunities to watch 4-H members in action at the livestock shows with classes that focus on showmanship and animal quality.

If you have questions about the 4-H Livestock Auction, becoming a Buyer, or processing a livestock auction purchase; please contact Deana Tice at [email protected] or 443-336-8492.


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.
2019 International Master Gardener Conference
 
Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners were in attendance at the International Master Gardener Conference in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania June 17-21.  Co-chairs of the Library Workshops Project, Marcia DeFalco and Noreen Krispin, received the third place "Search for Excellence Award" in the category of  Presentations and Workshops.  


Group Photo from left:
Diane Nolan, IMGC Search for Excellence Conference Committee Chair
Marcia DeFalco, Library Workshops Project Co-Chair, Anne Arundel County 
Noreen Krispin , Library Workshops Project Co-Chair , Anne Arundel County 
David Gibby -  Founder of the first Master Gardener program in 1973 at  Washington State University Cooperative Extension 
Nancy Allred , Interim Master Gardener Coordinator, Anne Arundel County
Betsy Beck,  Master Gardener Executive Advisory Board  member, Anne Arundel County

 
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.

Agriculture Newsletters

For more information, please contact Dave Myers, Extension Educator, AGNR.

If you are interested in agriculture for YOUTH, please contact our office and speak with a member of the 4-H staff or email Christa Stibolt. 4-H offers plant and animal science programs for youth ages 8-18. See the 4-H website for more details.
Healthy Eating - Crookneck Squash Pasta Salad


½ cup pasta (macaroni, rotini, small shells), uncooked
1 small crookneck or yellow squash, washed
1 medium carrot, washed
1 ½ cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried, and stems removed
4 ounces low-fat or fat-free cheddar cheese, cubed (1 cup)

Dressing: 
5 Tablespoons reduced-fat or fat-free mayonnaise
1½ Tablespoons orange juice
½ tsp dried sweet basil
½ tsp prepared mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper

Cook pasta with water according to directions on the package. Drain pasta. Chill in refrigerator if desired while preparing vegetables. Wash the squash and carrots under cool tap water and scrub with a vegetable brush, trim ends and remove any bad spots. Do NOT peel either the squash or the carrots. Cut the squash into small pieces and shred the carrots then place both in a medium-size bowl. Wash the fresh spinach in cool tap water with a salad spinner or colander and thoroughly dry. Remove stems and any bad leaves. Stack several spinach leaves on top of each other and roll together. Slice crosswise through the roll, making very thin slivers of spinach. Add the pasta, spinach, and cheese to the squash-carrot mixture; toss to combine. Make the dressing in a small bowl. Thoroughly blend mayonnaise, orange juice, dried basil, prepared mustard, garlic, and black pepper. Pour dressing over the salad mixture and toss to evenly distribute the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve chilled.

 
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 the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at  [email protected]. "4-H makes the best better!"
Did you know...
 
Maryland Crabs (Blue Crabs) have been caught commercially in the  Chesapeake Bay  since the mid-1800s and are integral to the state's economy.
 
Click here to learn more.




Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900

 Area Extension Director
 Karol Dyson, AED
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
[email protected]  or 410-222-3906

 
Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
[email protected] or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
[email protected] or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development
Christa Stibolt, Faculty Extension Assistant
[email protected] or 410-222-3900


Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
[email protected] or 410-222-3903


Family and Consumer Sciences

Priscilla Graves, Agent
[email protected] or  301-868-9410
  http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/personal-finance