Anne Arundel County UME News

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Anne Arundel County UME Newsletter

May 2023

Photo: Urban Farming Research Clinic

Mark Your Calendar!

Office closures:

May 29: Memorial Day

June 19: Juneteenth

July 4: Independence Day

Maryland Native Plants Program

Fran Garcia, Interim Coordinator

Master Gardener Program

The Maryland Native Plants Program - HB 950/SB 836 bill passed on April 10, 2023. It establishes the Maryland Native Plants Program, which will be administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland Extension (UME). This program will develop a Commercial Maryland Native Plant List, create a voluntary certification program for growers and retailers, and a “Maryland Natives” marketing program and webpage. This bill also creates a new position for UME to hire a native plants specialist.

The Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) faculty and staff were instrumental in providing research and data in support of this bill. The HGIC will leverage the Master Gardener program to promote this initiative, and look into ways to make this part of the “Maryland’s Best Program.” If you would like to learn more about this bill, the link is provided below:

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0836?ys=2023rs

50th Anniversary of the Master Gardener Program

March 20th marked the first day of the inaugural National Extension Master Gardener week. Washington State University is where the MG Program all began. The WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences released a story on the history of the program. It’s an inspirational story and we are all lucky enough to be a part of it.

To learn more about the history of the MG program, I included a YouTube video, courtesy of Jennifer Marquis, Statewide Program Leader, WSU Extension. To learn more, please see the WSU website: http://mastergardener.wsu.edu

May 2023 AAMG Meeting/Plant Swap

Our May meeting and plant swap held on May 9th was a huge success! This is a fun yearly activity held outside at the Dairy Farm. Master Gardeners brought a variety of plants, including ferns, grasses, native pollinators, and herbs and vegetables.

Master Gardeners were also treated to a tour of the Dairy Farm's Urban Farming Research Clinic and high tunnel. Dave Myers explained the purpose of the project, and described new plantings planned for 2023. Some of these include a hops trial with local Pherm Brewery, an asparagus bed, sunflowers for bird seed, and a chili-mix in the high tunnel. To learn more about the Urban Farming Research Clinic please use this link: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/agriculture-food-systems/urban-farming-research-clinic

Urban Farming Research Clinic

The Anne Arundel Extension Urban Farming Research Clinic (UFRC) is in operation for the 2023 season!

New plantings in 2023:

Vineyard of vinifera wine grapes; Hops trial with local Pherm Brewery; Apple trial, Peach trial; Blackberry trial; Asparagus bed; Buckwheat for bees and buckwheat flour; Oats for steel cut oatmeal; Milling Corn for cornbread; Sunflowers for bird seed; and Pumpkins.

High Tunnel in 2023:

The Chili-Mix, a chili-pepper and culinary herb trial will be the first UFRC high tunnel project.

Visit the Urban Farming Research Clinic website - https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/agriculture-food-systems/urban-farming-research-clinic - to learn more about the UFRC.

Healthy Eating - Chinese Chicken Salad

1 package flavored Ramen noodles

1 head of cabbage, washed and shredded

1 small onion, minced

½ bell pepper, washed and chopped

1/2 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts

2 cooked and chilled chicken breasts cut into cube

Dressing

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup vinegar (rice or white wine)

Break up noodles. Set aside. In a small bowl make dressing. Stir together sugar, vinegar, olive oil and flavor packet. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together onion, peppers, and peanuts. Add cooked chicken, cabbage and noodles. Pour on the dressing and combine. Serve cold.

Source: extension.umd.edu/programs/family-consumer-sciences/snap-ed/eat-smart

Join Anne Arundel County 4-H

Did you visit the Anne Arundel County Fair this year? 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 the the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu."4-H makes the best better!"

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.

Click here for more information.