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September 7:
Labor Day
Office closed.
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July 2020
We know that this spring and summer probably did not go according to your plans, did it! Mine either, but we continue to look forward to ways of
developing programs and reaching out to our stakeholders and county residents. We continue to get a variety of messages from local, state and federal governments, and are looking forward to the day when we once again can offer classes and activities for our citizens. We extend our sympathy to those who have either been sick themselves or have family members and friends who have been affected by Covid 19. There are a number of promising preventatives and treatments being explored at this time that we hope will make this time of our lives soon be the past rather than our continuing present. If we can help you in any way, please let us know.
Stay safe and healthy,
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
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We're still in Business, but with some differences!!
We will hopefully be resuming operations at our office in the near future. All visits will
be by
appointment only
. No walk-ins will be permitted. We will be working on a 'split" schedule working remotely and also being in the office until Governor Hogan clears us to be back in the offices full-time.
As we return to part-time office work, certain guidelines must be
followed:
- Face masks must be worn and social distancing practiced at all times while at our facility.
- All visits will be on an appointment-only basis. The best way to reach the educators will be by email. We will only have 1 appointment at a time.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please call the office from the parking lot and let us know you are here. You will receive a call when the person you are coming to see is ready. They will meet you at the door or meet with you outside if the weather is cooperating.
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Our Experts Are Here to Help!
For well over 100 years,
University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland citizens and communities. We will not waiver from that promise. Our faculty and staff are developing new learning opportunities to continue to meet the needs of our stakeholders and clientele; we are committed to ensuring that you have the science-based information you need to protect your families, farms and communities whether in an urban, suburban or rural area of the state.
We are ready to serve you.
While our offices are closed or only partially staffed, 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.
We are offering many classes remotely, and, in fact, you can attend classes across the state from the comfort of your home!
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Summer 2020 4-H Style
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
4--H Youth Development
It's August & summer is in full swing! It may not be a "normal" summer yet there are still ways to have fun. 4-H is adjusting to allow our youth to continue to "learn by doing" and engage with peers using new venues. 4-H Clubs are meeting virtually and we've added new innovative programs. Here are a few programs that were/ will be held throughout the summer and
possibly
into fall.
- MD 4-H offered a Virtual Summer Camp with over 250 participants from July 13th - 24th.Youth from across the state made new discoveries, explored, and enjoyed time together. They sang songs, played games, and participated in hands-on, engaging activities in STEAM, arts and crafts, environmental science, animal sciences, cooking, engineering, SMORES, and much more.
- Virtual Activity Clubs (VACs) are six to eight, one-hour sessions. Designed to be fun with hands-on activities while creating new friendships. As always, youth will make fulfilling connections with peers and caring adults in a safe, inclusive environment while in 4-H! The first round of VACs is running July - August. We may introduce a second round late summer/early fall so watch for announcements.
- 4-H Challenges have been popular. Youth are challenged to put forth their best designs in baking, recycling, arts, and engineering. Most challenges are distributed through UME
4-H County Facebook pages and website.
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Master Gardener Coordinator's Corner
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
With the stay at home order providing some unanticipated "play" time, I decided to plant a patch of sunflowers, Helianthus annuus. I have long enjoyed seeing these happy blossoms offer nectar and pollen for the bees and places for songbirds to perch and pluck seeds. Since space
in my vegetable garden is prime real estate, I commandeered a 10' x 10' area of lawn, actually mostly clover and violets, for a new planting bed. In early spring, I started a couple of sunflower varieties in my modest greenhouse. A dwarf variety ended up in the bed, mainly because the seedlings were ready first and
needed to get into the ground. This group was also the first to mature and began blooming in early July at a height of about 3-4' with single yellow blooms and dark centers 4-6" in diameter. This bed will be replanted with a second crop soon. It is fascinating to watch the flower heads slowly turn throughout the day following the sun. Theterm for this sun "facing" plant characteristic is called heliotropism. After planting my vegetables I was able to squeeze in two more rows of sunflowers in the main garden. Since different varieties were chosen and planted in stages, I should be able to enjoy flowers throughout the summer and perhaps into the fall.
Sunflowers are fast growers with large seeds that are easy to handle. This makes them a great plant choice for children to grow. Sunflowers are not fussy about soil conditions, they are heat tolerant, beautiful in bloom and provide substantial wildlife benefit.
Here are some fun facts about sunflowers.
- The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.
- Sunflowers were cultivated by Native Americans and used as an important food source.
- One sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds.
- Of all the major field crops grown in the United States, sunflowers are the only one native.
- Seeds in the flower head form a spiral pattern. This allows for the maximum number of seeds on a seed head, so the flower uses its space to optimal effect.
- Some sunflower varieties can grow up to 12' in just six months.
- The sunflower's yellow petals and fuzzy brown centers are actually individual flowers themselves.
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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. This fall-winter, there will be an on-line MG course open across the state! Call for more information!
Click here for more information.
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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
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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:
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Perhaps you have heard that the Anne Arundel County Fair will not be held this year, along with most county fairs. They will be missed by many, but there are efforts to hold some virtual
activities in their place. Stay tuned as details are released. This may include the opportunit y to purchase 4-H locally grown meats through a virtual event.
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
[email protected]
.
"4-H makes the best better!"
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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.
Agriculture Newsletters
Agriculture Calendar of Events
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.
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Healthy Eating - Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce
¾ cup whole-wheat flour
¾ cup enriched all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk
2 Tablespoon canola oil
Strawberry Sauce:
1 - 16 ounce package frozen, sliced, strawberries (thawed)
Tip: Refrigerate overnight to thaw the frozen strawberries
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in large bowl.
Combine eggs, low-fat or fat-free milk, and vegetable oil until mixed thoroughly in a bowl.
Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Mix only until ingredients are combined, about 1 minute; batter will be slightly lumpy.
Heat skillet or griddle coated with nonstick cooking spray over low-medium heat until a few drops of water sprinkled on surface bounce and splatter. Pour 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until surface of the pancake is covered with bubbles, the edges begin to dry, and bottom side is lightly brown, approximately 2 minutes. Turn and cook until lightly brown on other side, approximately 1-minute.
Spoon strawberry sauce over warm pancakes and serve.
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Did you know...
You can receive regular updates and information regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from the Anne Arundel County Health Department by texting the keyword
"Join COVID"
to
30890
.
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Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900
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Area Extension Director
Karol Dyson, AED
| Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
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Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
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Master Gardener Program
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
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4-H Youth Development
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
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Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
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Family and Consumer Sciences
Jeanette Jeffrey, Agent
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