Solutions in Your Community


In This Issue
February 3:
Good Morning, Farmer - Marketing Your Farm

February 9:
Crops Sustainability & IPM Workshop

February 10:
Good Morning, Farmer - Public Perception of Farmers

February 15: 
President's Day
Office closed

February 17:
Good Morning, Farmer - Winter Blues

February 24:
Good Morning, Farmer - Access Land & Resources

March 3:
Good Morning, Farmer - Injury & Pain Management

March 9:
Crops Sustainability & IPM Workshop

March 10:
Good Morning, Farmer - Estate/Succession Planning

March 17:
Good Morning, Farmer - Opiod Usage

March 24:
Good Morning, Farmer - Making Your Voice Heard

March 31:
Good Morning, Farmer - Family Dynamics
January 2021

Dear Friends and Clients,

Happy New Year! I would guess that many of you, like me, are thrilled to have turned the page into the new year of 2021! Whether it makes a real difference or not still needs to be seen, but at least we can write a new date down every day and look at a new calendar. 

I want to thank and recognize our staff of educators and assistants for their commitment and dedication to continue their programming efforts for you, our stakeholders and clientele. Programs have been different, for sure, but hopefully you are still receiving the  responses and information that you need, whether you are a 4-H volunteer or parent, staff or educator with a county agency, greenhouse manager, farmer or many of the other occupations for whom we provide educational programs and information. 

Please continue to let us know how we can support you in the days to come.

Best regards and stay healthy and safe,
 
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital 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.
Master Gardener Coordinator's Corner

Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

 

Maryland experiences its coldest temperatures during the months of January and February. It's a good time to snuggle up with a pet or maybe a spouse, perhaps with a good book in front of aroaring fire. Or maybe watching horticultural webinars, checking out garden blogs like Maryland Grows (https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/) and flipping through seed catalogs are in order. I hope to see snow (but not too much.) I think of these cold months as a time to relax and actually don't mind a break from my usual trips to the garden and a reprieve from weed pulling. I have to admit to occasional trips through the garden to deliver compost, check for early signs of spring and bring home some winter hardy greens and turnips.

 

Many of my summer annuals made their way indoor and fortunately I have a sunroom and window bay that can mostly accommodate the influx. Indoor plants are not just for decoration, theyclean the air too. Remember to keep the plants watered. I find a tower humidifier helpful to replenish moisture lost due to household heating.

 

Forcing bulbs can be a rewarding and fun winter activity. The photo above shows amaryllis in various stages of growth. Other favorites are paper whites and hyacinth bulbs. After blooming these bulbs can be planted outdoor where new leaf growth will provide energy for next year's bloom.

 

Other activities to get you through the winter may include winter sowing. Visit https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2019/01/23/winter-sowing-how-i-get-a-jump-start-on-my-summer-flower-garden/Winter is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/pruning-shrubs-and-hedges

And don't forget to clean, sharpen and properly store your garden

 tools. https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2010/10/26/post-frost-chore-winterizing-your-garden-tools/

 

You may want to research low-maintenance native plants to incorporate into your landscape to provide biodiversity and wildlife benefit. https://baywise.weebly.com/native-plants.html   And don't be too tidy with yard cleanup. Complete removal of leaf litter will deprive wildlife of access to earthworms, pill bugs, millipedes and a multitude of smaller life that are essential components of the food web and provide sustenance to countless animals.

 

Finally and just for fun, how about piecing together a botanically related jigsaw puzzle. However you spend your winter, I hope you that you stay safe and warm and take time to relax and dream about your next garden.

Calling all Adults Looking for a Wonderful Opportunity!
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
4-H Youth Development

Come and share your hobby/ interest with youth! Introduce them to something new!

4-H programs provide meaningful opportunities for youth and adults to learn, grow, and work together. Utilizing hands-on learning, youth build confidence, creativity and curiosity, as well as life skills such as communication and decision making, to help them thrive today and into the future. You can be part of this by volunteering just a few hours of your time.

Maryland is implementing Virtual Activity Clubs (VACs). These clubs focus on a topic for short periods, usually 6 - 8 hours over a few weeks. We are looking for people to co-lead club meetings. If you are not ready to lead, be a guest presenter for a club.

Even though VACs are virtual, they still encompass hands on learning, socializing, games/teambuilding, and 4-H fun! Sound interesting? Reach out to our office for more information.
 
Livestock Workshop Presenter
Anne Arundel County has 4-H livestock clubs, which allow youth the opportunity to carry livestock projects. They learn how to raise and care for animals, and gain showmanship skills. At the start of each project, youth set their personal goals. These may include learning about different breeds, fitting and grooming, care and nutrition, or understanding diseases and Biosecurity. 4-H livestock projects provide great opportunities for youth to learn about animal and veterinary science, as well as animal production practices, while gaining valuable life skills such as responsibility and record keeping.

As part of the experiential learning, clubs have educational workshops led by club leaders and experts from different fields. We are reaching out to our community to ask for workshop leaders. If you have experience with raising and caring for animals and/or a background in animal/ veterinary science and would like to share your knowledge with our youth please contact our 4-H office. Our 4-Hers are eager to learn; in giving your time to help young people in our community, you'll be growing true leaders and empowering them with skills for a lifetime.

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:
February 9, , 2021 - Crops Sustainability & IPM Workshop - Baden Hall, Brandywine, MD
March 9, 2021 - Crops Sustainability & IPM Workshop, A.A. County UME, Gambrills, MD
April 1, 2021 - On-Line Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification
April 15, 2021 - On-Line Nutrient Management Voucher Recertification

Virtual UME Agronomy Meetings:
February 17, 2021 - UME Agronomy ZOOM 4:00 - 8:30 pm
February 26, 2021 - UME Agronomy ZOOM 8:00 am - Noon

Virtual UME Vegetable Meetings:
January 28, 2021 - UME Vegetable ZOOM 8:00 am - Noon

Virtual UME Fruit Meetings:
February 10, 2021 - UME Fruit ZOOM 8:00 am - Noon

Virtual UME Forage Meetings:
January 19, 2021 - UME Forage ZOOM 8:00 am - Noon

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 - Chicken Vegetable Soup with Kale


2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 carrot, washed and chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup rice, cooked 
1 small bunch kale, rinsed and chopped
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, washed and chopped
2 cups water or chicken broth


 

Heat oil in a medium sauce pan. Add onion and carrot. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5-8 minutes. Add thyme and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute. Add water or broth, tomatoes, cooked rice, chicken, and kale. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.






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

 Area Extension Director
 Karol Dyson, 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