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200 Chesapeake Blvd, Suite 1500
Elkton, MD 21921
410-996-5280
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Cecil Friends and Neighbors-
Well it is again the start of a new month. 2024 is moving along more quickly than I prefer! I hope that those of you who celebrate had a Happy Easter holiday, and for those still on Spring Break from CCPS that you are making the most of this time off! Our Jewish friends recently celebrated Purim and look forward to Passover in a couple weeks. For our Muslim friends they are in the middle of Ramadan so most will not eat or drink while the sun is up.
There are some great things happening at the Extension Office in April. The highly successful Homesteading classes continue this month with a training on raising chickens to feed your family. Also, the highly anticipated Cecil Agriculture Education Days begins on April 30 and ends May 2.
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All 7th graders attending CCPS will take part in this new venture using agriculture as a vehicle to teach science requirements. It has been both time-consuming and rewarding building this partnership and crafting the plans, and we anticipate a fabulous 3 days of education! The Secretary of Ag and many others have expressed interest in coming to see this event in action!
Also our FCS Educator Beverly Jackey is hosting a Dining with Diabetes course that starts April 3 at the Elkton YMCA. If interested, contact the office, or you can register online
here: https://agnr.umd.edu/events/dining-with-diabetes-5987/?featured_date=1006
Regards,
Paul
Paul R. Rickert, MS, MCJ, EdD
Area Extension Director
Upper Shore Cluster
University of Maryland Extension
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A New Agriculture Education Program is Being Offered to Cecil County Students | |
Cecil County Agriculture Education Days
April 30 - May 2, 2024
Ag Education Days is a brand-new venture envisioned by various members of the organizations listed below. We are collaborating to create a stellar event at Fair Hill Fairgrounds to expose young people to agriculture, potential agricultural careers, and are using agriculture as a foundation for learning in conjunction with Cecil County Public Schools and the Next Generation Science Standards. We are creating an annual 3-day event, which will run from April 30 to May 2, 2024.
All 7th graders in Cecil County’s Public School System will attend on one of the three days. In con-junction with expert educators within the field of agricultural science, we are creating a series of stations for youth to pass through that cover four broad topical areas: Ag Tech & Equipment, Animal Science, Food Systems, and Land & Water. Our event is modeled after and building on the successes that Queen Anne’s County has had already over the last seven years with their Ag Awareness Day.
Extension is partnering with Cecil County Farm Museum, Cecil Soil Conservation, Horizon Farm Credit, Maryland Park Service, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Fair Hill Nature Center, Cecil County Office of Economic Development and Cecil County Public Schools to plan and make this event happen!
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Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics
Earth Day is an annual event held globally on 22 April to promote environmental protection and climate action.
EARTHDAY.ORG is aiming to raise awareness about plastic's harm to human and biodiversity.
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Want to See More Agriculture Related Information?
Check out our monthly Cecil County Agriculture Newsletter.
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Cecil County Extension has an
Agriculture Facebook page.
Cecil County Extension Agriculture
Please like, follow, and share.
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Water & Chesapeake Bay
Watershed Protection and Restoration Program
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Improving water quality through stormwater management and watershed restoration techniques, the Sea Grant Watershed Protection and Restoration Program works with local and state governments, watershed organizations, and community groups in Maryland to build partnerships, identify funding sources, and advise/assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects. | |
Check out the next workshops in our Homesteading Series! | |
Here's another April educational event from the Cecil County Master Gardener's regular programming. | |
Upcoming events, workshops, activities, videos, photos and advice on gardening are posted on our Facebook page, YouTube channel and website.
Follow us on Facebook to get the latest information.
Learn how to become a Master Gardener Volunteer.
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Have a plant or pest question?
University of Maryland Extension’s experts have answers!
Questions are answered by Home and Garden Information Center’s Certified Professional Horticulturists.
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Creative Clovers
April 3, 2024
6:45 - 7:30 PM
Cecil County Farm Museum
820 Appleton Rd, Elkton
All Cecil County 4-H Clovers members ages 5-7 as of 1/1/24 are welcome to attend the monthly 4-H Creative Clover sessions. You do not have to attend every session. Register by noon the day before the program so that we can gather enough supplies.
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You Want to Show, All About 4-H Animal Projects
April 4, 2024
7:30 PM
via Zoom
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Eggstravaganza
April 6, 2024
9 AM - Noon
Calvert Grange
For more information, check out our Cecil County 4-H Facebook page.
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Wildlife & Natural Resources Classes
April 16, 2024
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Calvert Grange Hall, Rising Sun, MD
This month we will play Wildlife Jeopardy. Come join in on the fun competition and win some cool prizes! Please register by Monday April 15, 2024.
For questions, contact Taylor Knight at tknight5@umd.edu.
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Get to Know Cecil 4-H
April 16, 2024
7 PM via Zoom
This program is designed to help new or prospective families understand more about the 4-H youth development program in Cecil County. Participants will learn about the many opportunities 4-H offers from aerospace to dogs to horses to photography and every project in-between.
To participate register by noon the day of the program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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April 17, 2024, 7-8:00 PM
Cecil County Farm Museum, 820 Appleton Rd, Elkton
Youth ages 5-18 are welcome to participate. Participants don’t have to attend every session. Please register online by noon the day before the program so that we can gather enough supplies.
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Sewing Workshop
April 22, 2024
6:30 pm
Rock Presbyterian Church
For more information on materials to bring, check out our Cecil County 4-H Facebook page.
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Eastern Shore Spring Show
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Entry Deadline: April 19, 2024
4-H/FFA youth from all shore counties plus Anne Arundel, Harford, and surrounding counties are welcome and encouraged to participate to exhibit their beef, dairy, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy goats, rabbits, cavies, and dogs.
All entries must be submitted online this year. Entry fees (checks payable to ESSS) or cash must be turned into county extension offices to complete the entry process.
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Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign
April 24-May 5, 2024
Tractor Supply proudly began partnership with 4-H in 2010. 100% of funds raised through the Paper Clover fundraisers directly benefit 4-H and the kids and teens they work with - 90% of donations directly support 4-H youth in the state it was raised, and the remaining 10% supports national 4-H programming.
Donations can be made online or in person at a store near you.
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Follow us on Facebook for information on future events and activities. | |
Food, Nutrition & Wellness | |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed)
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Maryland Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) offers nutrition education programs to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households and those eligible for SNAP. SNAP-Ed programs are provided at no cost to support the work of community agencies serving SNAP-eligible individuals and families, such as local food banks, schools, out-of-school sites, farmers markets, community centers, and food assistance sites.
Maryland SNAP-Ed is a program within University of Maryland Extension that creates healthier environments and improves the health and wellbeing of limited income families across Maryland. SNAP-Ed programs encourage a nutritious and active lifestyle through increased food access, drinking more water, and promoting physical activity.
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Quick Dinner Tips & Recipe Highlights | | |
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Staying Active...
Need activity ideas for when your child is on spring break? Try these fun activities with your child while they are out of school. How many items can you check off the list?
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Staying Connected...
Sign up for Text2BHealthy to get messages to help your family eat healthy and be active all year long!
Scan the QR code or text the keyword to the short code to enroll today!
AND
Connect with Maryland SNAP-Ed
on
Facebook
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Food Resources in Your Area
Find food resources in your area with the MD211 website. Add in your zip code to find food pantries, grocery ordering and delivery, and soup kitchens near you. https://211md.org/resources/food/
Many communities have free food giveaways throughout the month to help provide additional fruits and vegetables for families in need. Check with your local food bank to learn about free food giveaways in your area.
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Make the most of your food dollars by visiting your local food bank, maximizing your SNAP benefits and using coupons. See our Blog for ways to help you save money for your family! | |
Like our Facebook page and check out all of the great resources, which include healthy recipes, physical activity ideas, and gardening tips. | |
Family & Consumer Sciences | |
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs "strengthens families, farms, communities and the economy by focusing on the human dimensions of food and agriculture. Family and Consumer Sciences includes all topics of considerable importance for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in today’s society. | | |
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BREATHING ROOM
A Space to Take a Breath & a Step Towards Wellness
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Life is stressful and all you want is a break.
So, take a breath…
Come visit our blog every Thursday for our latest post and to give yourself a little breathing room.
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Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) | |
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps young families and youth with limited resources—those most at risk to suffer from hunger, food insecurity and the inability to connect with available support systems. | |
To learn more about this program or to sign up a group of five or more, contact Tammy Pryor, EFNEP educator at tpryor@umd.edu or call (410)-996-8136.
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Cecil County Extension Office
Faculty and Staff
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Paul R. Rickert, MS, MCJ, EdD
Area Extension Director - Upper Shore Cluster
410-996-5280
Micki Preston
Administrative Assistant
410-996-8130
Donna Witkowski
Administrative Assistant
410-996-8131
April Barczewski
4-H Youth Development
410-996-8134
Taylor Knight
4-H Youth Development
410-996-8137
Doris Behnke
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Master Gardener Coordinator
410-996-8135
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Sam Covington
Nutrient Management Program
410-996-8138
Eric Buehl
Regional Watershed Restoration Specialist
410-827-8056 x176
Beverly Jackey
Family & Consumer Sciences
410-996-8133
Amelia Gerres
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed)
410-996-8139
Tammy Pryor
Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program
410-996-8136
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University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
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University of Maryland Extension Cecil County Youtube | | | | |
