March-April 2003



Mark Your Calendar!

Office closures:

May 29: Memorial Day

June 19: Juneteenth

Home Canning for Your Summer Bounty

Dhruti Patel, Agent

Family and Consumer Sciences



As the weather is getting warmer and soon we will be gifted with abundant availability of fresh produce, why not learn about how to preserve the summer bounty? There are several ways you can preserve fruits and vegetables, one of the most known is canning. In this segment, let us talk about water bath canning. This method is specifically used for preserving jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter (apple, pear butter), as well as pickles and relishes. The common thread between all these products besides the canning method is that they have higher amounts of acidity in them. Either the fruit naturally is high in acid or we are adding an acidic ingredient (vinegar and lemon juice) to the product. Remember it is essential to never use water bath canning for foods that are low in acid as it increases the risk of foodborne illnesses (such as botulism). To learn more about how to safely do water bath canning, go to our breathing space blog https://breathingroom.umd.edu/2019/07/25/water-bath-canning

Also, use several evidence-based resources listed below for recipe inspiration. 

1. USDA's complete guide to home canning
2. National Center for Home Food Preservation
3. University of Maryland Food Preservation Program
4. Extension websites: To do so, in google search type the canning recipe you are interested in and enter Extension in the end e.g. canning strawberry jam



Do You Know the Importance of a Farm Plan?

R. David, Principal Agent

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Developing a Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan (SCWQP), otherwise known as a Farm Plan, is a free service the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District provides to agriculture landowners. A plan includes an aerial photograph of the property, an inventory of resources on the property, a soil map and a list of management decisions made.

A conservation planner will work with you to see if you would like to install any Best Management Practices (BMP) to help prevent sediment and nutrients from leaving the farm. There are also BMPs to help with farm management such as adding fencing to have the ability to rotate pastures, stream crossings for livestock and equipment to access other fields and watering facilities to help with livestock rotation. A SCWQP is required if you would like to apply for any of the agriculture preservation programs and if you are applying for either federal or state cost share programs.

Another benefit of a SCWQP allows for a possible exemption from obtaining a building permit and grading permit to construct an agricultural building. If you think you might be interested in having a SCWQP developed for your farm, please contact the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District at 410-571-6757.

April is Native Plant Month!

April is Native Plant Month!

More and more people are including native plants in their gardens to support biodiversity and wildlife - and beauty! Native plants are adapted to the physical conditions of a local region and co-evolved with other species. They are essential as the base for a variety of food webs.

If you need help choosing native plants for your space, view the lists and resources on our website to get started!

Visit Native Plant Gardening for more information.

Healthy Eating - Packed Pitas

1/2 cup cucumber, washed and sliced

1/4 green pepper, washed and sliced

1/4 red pepper, washed and sliced

¼ cup of low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

1 whole wheat pita

1 Tablespoon of hummus

1 Tablespoon of low-fat ranch dressing

Spread 1 Tablespoon of hummus on pita. Slice the peppers and cucumbers. Place 2 cucumber slices, 2 green pepper slices, 2 red pepper slices, and 2 Tablespoons of cheese on pita. Roll pita and cut in half. 

Source: extension.umd.edu/programs/family-consumer-sciences/snap-ed/eat-smart

Join Anne Arundel County 4-H

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 gsumbrum@umd.edu."4-H makes the best better!"

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.

Area Extension Director

Dave Myers, AED & Principal Agent

myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Dave Myers, AED & Principal Agent

myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Nutrient Management

Maxine Da-Som Yoon, Nutrient Management Advisor

maxyoon@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program

Fran Garcia

Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

fgarcia6@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development

Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent

gsumbrum@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Family and Consumer Sciences

Dhruti Patel, Senior Agent

dhrutip@umd.edu or 410-222-3903

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed)

LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate

lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903

University of Maryland Extension

Anne Arundel County Office

97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054

410-222-3900

extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county