Anne Arundel County UME Newsletter

Solutions in Your Community

In This Issue

February 8:
Southern MD Vegetable & Fruit Production Meeting

February 19:
President's Day
Office Closed

February 24:
MG Successful Seed Starting

March 1:
4-H Volunteer Training

March 13:
Field Crops & Pasture IPM Workshop

March 24:
MG Composting & Grow It Eat It

March 30:
Good Friday
Office Closed

April 6:
Online Nutrient Application Voucher Recertification

April 9:
4-H Volunteer Training

April 13:
Online Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification

April 28:
Maryland Day

May 5:
MG Composting Demonstration

May 16:
MG Composting Demonstration

May 22:
4-H Volunteer Training

May 28:
Memorial Day
Office closed

January-February 2018

Congratulations to the 4-H members and volunteers who were recently honored at the Maryland State 4-H Gala at Martin's West. We are so proud of the contributions these individuals have made to the program here and across the state.

Gina Degreenia was recognized as an Honorary 4-H member for her efforts as a volunteer

This award recognizes efforts of volunteers who were not 4-H members in their childhood. Jocelyn Jarin and Derrick Trautman were recognized for their work at Ft. Meade as the recipients of the Maryland 4-H Military Partnership Award.

In the Diamond Clover Award program, Benjamin Eisinger, Amelia Sim, and Maddie Solley received the Level 5 Award and Tyler Green was awarded the Level 6 Award and presented information about his project to the audience of 600+.

Amanda Wahle, our 4-H Educator, received a grant from the Maryland 4-H Foundation to develop a new environmental education program. She also received the Dick Angus Professional Development Scholarship. College scholarships were awarded to Brittany Wilbur, Carley Gray, and David Degreenia.

Christa Stibolt, a 4-H Program Assistant, was recognized for her contributions to the State 4-H Horse Program as the Coach of the Maryland State 4-H Horse Judging team. The team came in 5th at the Eastern National 4-H Roundup in Louisville, KY in November, 2017. Our county was well represented on the State Horse teams including Carley Gray and Brooke Howard on the Communications team,and Phoebe Vacek on the Hippology team. Marina Karides was chosen as a delegate to National 4-H Congress .

We are so proud of each of you. 4-H offers so many opportunities for recognition to youth and volunteers both. Contact Amanda Wahle for more information at [email protected].

Karol Westelinck Dyson

Capital Area Extension Director

Mark your calendars!

Seed Starting Indoors - Beginner & Advanced

Crofton Community Library

Saturday, February 24, 2018, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Are you new to growing with seeds? You can do it! This workshop will help you gain knowledge & confidence to jump start your spring planting of vegetables & flowers. Have you

been growing your food from seed for years? You can still learn something useful & have a fun morning with other seasoned gardeners! We'll look at what that seed packet information is really telling us , what supplies we really need to buy, what date to start seeds, when & how to transfer the seedlings safely to the outdoor garden. There's something for everyone at this workshop. Join in!

For more information contact Noreen Krispin at [email protected].

Ag Census Response Will Impact Farm Policy and Industry

Dave Myers, Extension Educator

Farmers in Maryland and Delaware will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the census, to be mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them.

Census data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state

and local governments to agribusinesses, trade

associations trade associations, researchers, and many others. For example, public officials use the data when shaping farm policy, and agribusinesses factor it into their planning efforts.

"Your answers to the census impact farm programs and rural services that support your community," said Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture. "Good policies and services are rooted in quality data. We want all farms counted because there's strength in numbers that only the census can reveal," said Michael Scuse, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture.

This year, NASS has extensively revised the online census questionnaire at www.agcounts.usda.gov to make it more convenient for producers. Farmers can either mail in their completed census form or take advantage of new time-saving features by responding online. The online system calculates totals for the producer and skips sections that do not pertain to the operation.

In the 2012 census, Maryland farmers reported a total of 12,256 farms, spanning over 2 million acres, while Delaware farmers reported a total of 2,451 farms, spanning over 508 thousand acres. These numbers represented a five and four percent decrease in the number of Maryland and Delaware farms respectively from the previous census in 2007. Market value of agricultural products sold was $2.3 billion, an increase of 24 percent from the previous census for Maryland and $1.3 billion, an increase of 18 percent from the previous census for Delaware. This telling information and thousands of additional farm and ranch statistics are only available every five years, as a direct result of responses to the census.

"The census remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation," said Dale P. Hawks, Maryland/Delaware State Statistician for USDA's NASS Northeastern Region. "It's a critical tool that gives producers a voice and opportunity to influence decisions that will shape the future of their operations, communities, and industries."

The 2017 Census of Agriculture will collect new information including data on active service and military veteran farmers, as well as expanded questions on food marketing practices and on-farm decision-making to better capture the roles and contributions of beginning farmers, women farmers, and other involved in running the business.

For more information about the upcoming census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (888) 424-7828.

2018 Anne Arundel County 4-H Variety Show

Amanda Wahle, Extension Educator

The Variety Show was a big hit this year! Thanks to the Anne Arundel 4-H Foundation

for hosting this event. Everyone had a ton of fun and got to have their moment in the spotlight.

The 2018 participants were:

Dairy Leasing - Mixed Group Song - CHAMPION GROUP ACT

Coordinator: Brooke Knauss

Brooke Knauss

Marina Karides

Elizabeth Karides

Kinder Farm Park - Mixed Group Skit - RESERVE CHAMPION GROUP ACT

Coordinator: Adrian Velthuis

Olivia Velthuis

Aneka Velthuis

Isaac Velthuis

Jen Eisinger

Delia Fishburne

Sadie Fishburne

Felicia Fishburne

Clover Buddies - Junior Group Skit - BLUE RIBBON

Coordinator: Susanne Johnson

Anna Johnson (Junior)

Penn Keulman (Junior)

Eric Steigler (Junior)

Caelyn Grollman (Junior)

Isaac Waesche (Clover)

Taylor Keulman (Clover)

Davey Butta (Clover)

Corwin Butta (Clover)

Thomas Mackenzie (Clover)

Hayden Wahle (Clover)

Liam Caul. (Clover)

Will Roth (Clover)

Timmy Steigler (Clover)

Kinder Farm Park - Mixed Group Skit - PARTICIPATION ONLY

Coordinator: Adrian Velthuis

Olivia Velthuis

Aneka Velthuis

Isaac Velthuis

Jen Eisinger

Delia Fishburne

Sadie Fishburne

Felicia Fishburne

Ben Eisinger

Jake Green

Kinder Farm Park - Junior Individual Song - CHAMPION INDIVIDUAL/DUET ACT

Keith Ivey

Trail Blazers - Junior Individual Instrumental - RESERVE CHAMPION INDIVIDUAL/DUET ACT

Max Guethler

4-H Announcers who volunteered to help the day of the show to introduce the acts.

Brooke Knauss, Marina Karides, and Elizabeth Karides from Dairy Leasing

Jen Eisinger, and Delia and Felicia Fishburne from Kinder Farm Park

Anna Johnson from Clover Buddies

Thank you to all the dedicated 4-H parents and volunteers -this event couldn't happen without you!

Financial Nuggets

Financial Nuggets is a six lesson, financial educational program designed for middle school students (grades 5-8) that provides an opportunity for youth to simulate real world, financial experiences through hands on learning activities . Lessons and activities are designed for 45-60 minutes and are aligned with the Maryland Financial Literacy Standards.

Click here to learn more.

Spring Frost/Freeze Dates in Maryland

Can you tell me the date of the last frost in my area?

We know spring is in the air when this question begins to be asked by homeowners who contact the HGIC consultants. While this date can fluctuate from year to year, the following

Freeze/Frost Data provides a fairly accurate guide to help predict this very important da te. Data is gathered at various weather stations across the state that is averaged and compiled into one list that provides the probability of a frost on various dates. The chart lists 5 dates and indicates the chance of a frost on that particular date. For example, at the Baltimore Airport on April 26th there is still a 10% chance of a frost one year out of 10.

Click here for more information.

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: extension.umd.edu/hgic.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.

Agriculture Newsletters

http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/agriculture/agnr-newsletters

Agriculture Bulletins

http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/agriculture/agriculture-bulletins

Agriculture Web Modules

http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/agriculture/web-module

Agriculture Calendar of Events

https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/agriculture/agriculture-calendar-events

For more information, please contact Dave Myers, Extension Educator, AGNR.

If you are interested in agriculture for YOUTH, please contact our office and speak with a member of the 4-H staff or email Christa Stibolt. 4-H offers plant and animal science programs for youth ages 8-18. See the 4-H website for more details.

Did you visit the Anne Arundel County Fair this fall? Did you wonder what in the world 4-H is all about? Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more! Visit our website or email Amanda Wahle in the UMD Anne Arundel Extension Office at [email protected]. "4-H makes the best better!"

Healthy Eating - Stuffed Peppers

Cooking oil spray

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cups cooked brown rice

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

4 large green peppers, washed

1 cup low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

½ cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking oil spray. In a large bowl, mix onion, rice, tomatoes and beans. Set aside. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds from inside. Pour ½ cup water in the 9x13 pan. Fill peppers with rice mixture and place in pan. Sprinkle shredded cheese on the stuffed peppers. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until peppers are tender.

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