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200 Chesapeake Blvd, Suite 1500
Elkton, MD 21921
410-996-5280
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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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We are looking for volunteers and partners!
If you are interested, please visit our website for information.
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2024 Workforce Development Extension Internship | |
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Do you know an undergraduate student looking for an internship in agriculture and natural resources?
They can spend a summer with Extension!
Applications are now open for Summer 2024 "Creating Leadership & Professional Development Through Extension Internships."
Undergraduate students from certification programs, 4-year and 2-year institutions are invited to apply.
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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. | |
Photos of our February 24th Homesteading Series Workshop-Cheesemaking
The Homesteading Series is a brand new program this year offered by the Cecil County Master Gardeners. There will be a monthly workshop on various homesteading topics. The next two workshops are shown below. Space is limited for each of these workshops.
So register early!
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Check out the next two workshops in our Homesteading Series! | |
Here's another March 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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2024 Cecil County 4-H Enrollments/Reenrollments
Enrollments/Reenrollments for 2024 are through 4-H Online, https://v2.4honline.com. “How to Enroll in 4-H Online Guides” can be found online at: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth- development/families. Again, in 2024 the annual State 4-H enrollment fee is $10/youth member (4-H age 5-18 as of the current year) and is to be paid at the time of enrolling through the online system. The 4-H project list can be found online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZXkS8p8Dgy_PgCJUYWLivQZiREXlpBdq/view.
2023 4-H volunteers received an email via RegMax-4-H on January 12th with more details related to reenrolling as a volunteer. Returning volunteers must have an approved enrollment by March 1, 2024 to continue to serve as a Volunteer without interruption.
Adults that have not volunteered with 4-H in the past and would like to serve as a new 4-H volunteer in 2024 are asked to apply as “New Applicant” in 4-H Online. Please note that volunteers MUST have a “Member Email” in 4-H Online for the UME Volunteer Background Check. After applying, you will receive additional information from 4-H regarding the volunteer backgrounding, orientation and additional required paperwork.
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At Winterfest you get to try new things while hanging out with your fellow 4-Hers!!! | | | |
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Creative Clovers
March 13, 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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Wildlife & Natural Resources Classes
March 19, 2024
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Calvert Grange Hall, Rising Sun, MD
This month participants will learn about the Food Web and make Ecosystem Trail Mix. Have a tasty treat while learning about what make our ecosystem special. We will even make a human sized Food Web!
For questions, contact Taylor Knight at tknight5@umd.edu.
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Hands On Animal Science
Who is this?
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March 20, 2024, 7-8 PM
Cecil County Farm Museum, 820 Appleton Rd, Elkton
Participants will learn why it is important to identify your animals, ways animals are identified, and try tagging, tattooing and notching.
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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Demonstration & Communications Day
Sunday, March 24, 2024
1 PM
Calvert Grange Hall, Rising Sun, MD
4-Hers can use the buttons below to register.
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Get to Know Cecil 4-H
Tuesday, March 26, 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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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 | |
Not sure what to have for dinner?
Don't feel like cooking?
Serve a leftover buffet with whatever you have in the fridge. Everyone can choose what they want. You don't have to plan a meal and leftovers won't go to waste!
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Need another quick dinner fix?
Try a Slow Cooker!
Slow Cooker meals are a great way to have dinner ready when you and your family get home. Throw all the ingredients together and let it simmer while you are gone.
Check out our blog on Slow Cooker Meals for more information.
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Fun Food Art!
Get creative with your family and make some Veggie Bagel Smiles. This snack is super easy to make and nutritious too!
You can use bagels or English muffins to create your Veggie Smile. Check out the recipe here!
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Staying Active...
Does your family like to play Monopoly? Try a fun spin and play Fitness Monopoly with your family.
It's a great way to have a friendly competition and do fun activities at the same time!
http://go.umd.edu/fitnmonopoly
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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. | |
March is National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
This year's theme is "Beyond the Table," which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets — and even home food safety and storage practices. It also describes the various ways we eat — not only around a dinner table, but also on the go, in schools and restaurants, at games and events. This theme also includes sustainability, for instance, decreasing food waste from school and work to home and beyond.
A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you create healthy habits that are sustainable and suit your unique needs!
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Cecil County's Family and Consumer Sciences educator Beverly Jackey and the UME health and nutrition team will be taking their Capture the Flavor: Herbs and Spices program national with a $90,000 grant from McCormick Science Institute.
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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 | | | | |
