Solutions in Your Community


In This Issue

April 1:

Online Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification

April 2:
Good Friday
Office closed

April 15:
Online Nutrient Management Voucher Recertification 

May 31:
Memorial Day
Office closed
February-March 2021

Dear Friends and Clients,

I find that winter is my time of the year to relax and recharge my batteries, much in the same way that nature does. Just like nature, processes move a little slower and I prepare for what is just around the corner, spring. But this past winter has been one like no other, the pandemic has made winter seem much longer and much slower than usual.
 
In spite of the circumstances we find ourselves in, your Extension office, continues to deliver excellence in programming and services that you have come to expect from us. We too are also preparing for spring and to the end of the pandemic. Our educators are engaged in many facets of teaching including recertification classes for things like Pesticide Applicators and Nutrient Management as well as gearing up for the next class of Master Gardeners and working with the various 4-H Clubs and programs. The SNAP-Ed and Family Consumer Sciences educators are also working hard at reengaging their clientele.
 
We look forward to seeing all of you again soon, but in the meantime, use this time to take care of yourself and your families and recharge your batteries. Spring is coming as so is the end of this pandemic. We'll be here when you are ready for us.
 
Robert Baldwin
Acting Area Extension Director
We're still in business, but with some differences!!

 

For well over 100 years, University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland citizens and communities.

 

While our offices are closed again for the health and safety of our faculty and staff, we are always committed to meeting the needs our clientele and stakeholders to ensure that you have the information you need to protect your families, farms, and communities.

  • 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.

  • Access University of Maryland Extension Online Resources at:https://extension.umd.edu.
Calling all Disease Warriors!
Jeanette Jeffrey, Healthy Living Educator

Vaccinations are the cornerstone of public health. From smallpox to polio, we have witnessed the impact vaccines have on the health of our global community. Smallpox, the only eradicated (meaning, no longer exists) viral disease, killed 30% of those infected, according to the World Health Organization. Polio, a global scourge that left millions of those infected paralyzed, is now contained to just two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and targeted for eradication.

Coordinated and managed efforts between science and public action is crucial in the fight against infections. With the advent of SARS-CoV-2, aka COVID-19, we once again are witnessing the global mobilization of disease warriors, those who are fighting to control the spread of this never before seen virus.

Being new, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about COVID-19, which scientists are working to reveal. What we do know is that the vaccines are safe and effective for reducing infection. How long immunity will last once vaccinated has yet to be determined and may involve a yearly injection, much like the flu vaccine.

We can all serve as disease warriors in our own community in the fight to contain COVID-19 by continuing the public health practice of wearing a mask, maintaining at least a six-foot distance from others, and washing hands with soap and water frequently. Receiving the vaccine, once available, is one more piece in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Just like a puzzle, all pieces are interconnected and necessary to protect our health and the health of our community.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the CDC:
 
References:
https://polioeradication.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/polio-news-january2021-en.pdf

Help! I Don't Have the Ingredients for My Recipe 

LaTasha Coleman, MD SNAP-Ed Educator

Have you wanted to cook a recipe then suddenly realize you are missing an ingredient or two? If so, you are not alone. Using what you have can save you both money and a trip to the store! You never know, you may find yourself enjoying the recipe more with the new ingredients.

Include some of these healthy food swaps the next time you are shopping or planning your menu:

  • Protein swap. Boneless pork chops can be swapped for chicken breast to save you a few dollars. Swapping higher fat content ground beef (80/20) for lean ground beef of 10% or less is another excellent choice. Selecting ground turkey is another healthy option to choosing ground meat. The next time you are at the store searching for ground meats, price compare ground turkey and beef and the quantity offered. Lastly, consider switching meat for beans that offers a healthy source of protein and a wonderful substitute. To learn creative ways on how to cook beans, visit our Cooking Beans 5 Ways.

  • Fruit and Vegetable swap. Switching frozen and canned vegetables for fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a great tip for making sure fruits and vegetables are included in meals during the winter months when the price of fresh vegetables is higher. Experiment with different recipes and meal combinations using different forms of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables.

  • Herbs and spice swap. Fresh, dry, whole, or ground. Dry herbs have a stronger flavor than fresh and a longer shelf life. You will need ½ teaspoon of dry herbs for every tablespoon of fresh. Try cooking with different herbs to find what you like best. Different herb and spice blends are great options when missing herbs and spices in a recipe. Try some homemade seasoning mixes in place of packaged spice blends.

  • Swap applesauce for butter and oil when baking. Applesauce will give muffins, pumpkin bread, and cookie recipes a soft and moist texture when substituted for oil or butter. It is suggested to replace ½ the amount of butter for applesauce or oil in baking recipes. When baking bread, it is ok to replace all of the fat for applesauce. Experiment with applesauce using this easy Pumpkin Bread recipe.

Like, share, and subscribe to Maryland SNAP-Ed's social media sites for more cooking tips and recipes: https://eatsmart.umd.edu/social-media.

Greetings from Your Nutrient Management Advisor
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these trying times. As social distancingguidelines remain in place, please know I am available to write nutrient management plans for you. Plans for 2021 can still be updated if you have not applied all nutrients for this year to your fields. Please feel free to email kmgriffi@umd.edu with requests for plans. Stay safe!
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. The class scheduled for this  fall-winter is already full but we have started a waiting list for a spring class if we see the need.  Call for more information!
 
Click here for more information.
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 websites 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

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:
Perhaps you have heard that the Anne Arundel County Fair was not held this year, along with most other county fairs. They were missed by many, but there were some virtual
activities in their place, including a livestock Sale of 4-H and FFA project animals. Special thanks to all of the Anne Arundel County residents who supported our youth through purchases of livestock projects! Hopefully next year we will be back to holding our wonderful County Fair.

Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more about 4-H! Visit our website or email the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu"4-H makes the best better!"
AGNR Calendar of Events

***Current COVID-19 restriction requirements may alter or eliminate the in-person meeting attendance for some of the planned meetings.***

Local Extension Meetings:
April 1, 2021 - On-Line Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification
April 15, 2021 - On-Line Nutrient Management Voucher Recertification
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.

4-H offers plant and animal science programs for youth ages 8-18. See the 4-H website for more details.
Healthy Eating - Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites 

3 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats (uncooked)½ cup canned pumpkin
½ cup nut butter
¼ cup honey
½ cup raisins 
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened  (optional)

In a large bowl, add pumpkin, nut butter, honey, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Stir well until smooth. Add oats and raisins. Stir until combined. Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture into your hand, one tablespoon at a time. Shape into a one-inch ball and place on a baking sheet. Store the energy bites in the refrigerator, in a plastic container or plastic bag for up to one week. 
Energy bites can also be stored in the freezer for up to two months. 

Optional:

For added texture, roll energy bites in coconut using these instructions.

In a small bowl, add 1 cup shredded coconut. Drop each ball into the bowl of shredded coconut and roll the ball around until it is lightly covered.






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

 Acting Area Extension Director
 Robert Baldwn, AED
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

 
Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
kmgriffi@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
nallred@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
gsumbrum@umd.edu or 410-222-3900


Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903


Family and Consumer Sciences
Jeanette Jeffrey, Agent
jjeffrey@umd.edu or 410-222-3906