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August 26-Sept 26
Maryland State Fair
September 6: Labor Day Office closed
September 15-19: Anne Arundel Co. Fair
November 11: Veteran's Day Office closed
November 25-26: Thanksgiving Holiday
Office closed
December 24:
Christmas (observed)
Office closed
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August 2021
Dear Friends and Clients,
Last month I discussed some of my favorite things about summer. One of the highlights of my summer is finally here, the Maryland State Fair. This year is the 140th Maryland State Fair, I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the fair as much as I do! Speaking of fairs, our very own Anne Arundel Co Fair runs from September 15th to September 19th. Of particular interest is the 4-H Livestock Auction on September 18th at 7:00 p.m., please come out and support our local 4-H'ers!
In this month's newsletter, we included a recipe for some of the fall cabbage you may have just planted in your garden for fall harvest. If you haven't planted your fall garden yet, it's not too late, but time is getting short, so get those seeds and plants in the ground.
Finally, we want to welcome our new part time 4-H Program Assistant, Joy Sim. Joy will be helping Gretchen with the Fair and some of the fall programming. We are also bidding farewell to our summer intern Sophia Moyer. Sophia is returning to the University of Maryland-College Park for her senior year. I really enjoyed reading Sophia's thoughts on her internship, I encourage you to read it as well. Thanks from all of us and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Robert Baldwin
Acting Area Extension Director
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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.
Our office resumed normal operations on Monday, July 19, 2021 and we welcome all clientele and stakeholders. We understand that some people are still very cautious during this time and we are always committed to meeting the needs our clientele and stakeholders to ensure that you have the information and assistance you need to protect your families, farms, and communities.  - Call or email us: We will continue to answer your questions and provide the resources you need.
- Field visits: We will continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.
- Access University of Maryland Extension Online Resources at: https://extension.umd.edu.
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Calling all Poets Living in Canada and the United States!
In recognition of 2021 World Food Day and in keeping with the power of poetry to move hearts and minds towards needed anti-hunger actions, Poetry X Hunger and its partners announce an important Call for Poetry Submissions. Collaborators include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office for North America, the Capital Area Food Bank and, poet Rebecca Roach.
Held every October 16, this year's World Food Day is themed on "Our Actions Are Our Future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life." Our modern world is putting enormous strain and competing pressures on our agri-food systems. Our collective choices as consumers and producers today impact what tomorrow will look like. World Food Day calls for building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that deliver enough affordable, nutritious, and safe food for all.
Eligibility: Poets ages 18 and older who currently live in Canada or the United States are invited to submit one published or unpublished poem focused on one of the following topics:
- Our Actions Are Our Future (World Food Day theme; see website below)
- Any facet of food (in)security, hunger, nutrition or sustainable agriculture
- The critical roles of Food Heroes and providers such as farmers, food workers, food assistance and food bank employees and volunteers and others.
Incentives and Impacts: All submitted work will be considered for 1) posting on the Poetry X Hunger website, 2) use by FAO/North America in newsletters and other releases during World Food Day week, 3) showcasing in the Capital Area Food Bank's messaging campaigns. In addition, for each poem submitted, 10 tree seedlings will be purchased on the poet's behalf by Ms. Roach and planted around the world by the Eden Reforestation Projects. deforestation and poverty.
Submission Guidelines: There is no submission fee. Poems in any form and tradition, with any or no geographic focus, should be submitted as an attached Word file via email to [email protected] by the firm deadline of midnight Eastern US Time on Friday, September 10, 2021.
Submitted poems should be original and in English (no translations). And, they should be family-friendly, 35 lines or less in length, single-spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font. Poets are encouraged to convey an inspiring and forward-looking message and avoid criticizing political leaders and countries.
Please include name, address with the country of residence, phone number and email address in the body of the submission email. Your name or other identifiers should not appear in the poem.
Note that by submitting to this Call, you acknowledge that you are the sole author of the poem and that you agree to provide Poetry X Hunger, FAO, the Capital Area Food Bank and Ms. Roach the right to publish the poem(s) in print and/or electronic formats. If you submit a previously published poem, you must hold rights to it, and you should indicate in your submission cover note where it first appeared.
On or about October 1, 2021, many of the submitted poems will be chosen for highlighting during World Food Day activities by the partnering organizations. All submissions will be considered for publication on the Poetry X Hunger website.
Relevant Websites:
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Concluding Thoughts from Interning with UME
Sophia Moyer, Extension Program Assistant
It has been quite a remarkable summer interning with the University of Maryland Anne Arundel County Extension Office. I have completed a variety of internship programs and undergraduate jobs in the past. Going into them I usually have an idea of what they will be like and what I will take away from them. However, what I usually gain from them goes beyond the formal beneficial experiences and ends up being far from what I imagined (in the best way).
I originally sought an internship with extension as I had heard about its services from a professor of mine. It seemed like a career that was perfect for me, incorporating community development, scientific research, and teaching, which are all things I like to fill my time with. As I am finishing my internship, I can attest these were a large part of my extension experience. My interest in extension and my passion for sustainable agriculture has also been strengthened through these experiences. When on farm visits, I observed Dave and other agents listen to farmers' concerns. Some had pastures that were not suitable for their animals, some were having yield issues relating to suburban deer populations, some just had a weed that they needed identified. Each entrusted the extension's services to better their farm and better their livelihood. Without fail, the agents went back to the science to give accessible and dependable recommendations. Some of the recommendations were even based on experimental findings from researchers that I had talked to during the summer, which was very cool!
But additionally, I have gained new perspectives and formed a better understanding on what it takes to be an extension agent. For topics that I had more of a biased perspective on, like pesticides, taking the scientific and even somewhat ethical approach reforme d my view. Without getting too much into it, my views on pesticides were much more narrow before this summer. I was failing to understand how farmers used them and how they play an important role in socioeconomic sustainability and disease control. My new favorite analogy is how pesticides are to plants as western medicine is to humans. For both plant and human health, preventative behaviors are key. Brushing our teeth, eating well, exercising, sleeping, and practicing proper hygiene is at the cornerstone of human health. Intensive rotation, soil fertility, proper watering, and a biodiverse agroecosystem (among many other things) are important for the success of a crop. However, sometimes when these basic care steps are not taken care of or because of factors out of our control, illness takes hold. It is important that we reduce illness among the human population. On the same token, it is also our responsibility to reduce disease and pests in the natural world. So when it is appropriate, when a crop is experiencing disease or pestilence, an informed farmer can and should do what they can to make their crop healthy again. This might mean using a plant care chemical. In my eyes, this should not be the first and only answer. But it is an important one. When used as intended and when used in conjunction with an integrated pest management plan, plant care chemicals can help to provide the food needed to feed the world.
This summer I have also realized how important it is for an extension agent to recognize their role as changemakers. One of my main projects this summer was starting up the Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County urban agriculture extension program. Urban agriculture is usually smaller scale farming within an urban environment. It can take the form of growing in containers, high tunnels, hydroponically, or on rooftops. Because it is a growing and somewhat unconventional phenomenon in the agricultural world, extension has not historically provided specific resources for urban farmers. But because ag agents like Dave Myers and Neith Little see the potential urban farming and its importance in feeding communities, these resources are starting to accumulate for Maryland residents to utilize. Extension is made up of agents, agents decide what programs to offer, and the programs that are offered determine farmers' success. In this way, it is crucial for extension agents to seek new ideas and build upon old ones in the hopes of creating a better tomorrow for farmers and the world.
My senior year at the University of Maryland starts in a few days. I am feeling excited to bring what I have learned from this experience to my studies and projects at school. I am inspired by the progress that I have witnessed this summer within the field of agriculture and hope that I can continue to contribute to this progress.
Special thanks to Dave Myers, Neith Little, and Gretchen Sumbrum for your help in my success this summer.
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Food Safety & COVID-19 Resources
There are many resources available which provide best practices for preparing for COVID-19 and managing risk for individuals at home and for food environments such as restaurants,
grocery stores, food banks, gardens and farms. These resources are based on guidance and best practices as outlined by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and the best available science.
Click here to learn more.
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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. 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. |
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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 [email protected]."4-H makes the best better!" |
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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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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. |
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Healthy Eating - Rainbow Wrap
¼ small purple cabbage, chopped1 bell pepper (any color, preferably red), washed and chopped
1 mango, washed and chopped
1 can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup baby spinach
Juice of one lime
1 cup shredded low-fat cheese
½ cup plain non-fat or low-fat yogurt (regular or Greek)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
4 whole wheat tortillas
Mix cumin, plain yogurt and lime juice together. Spread each tortilla with 1-2 Tablespoons of yogurt mixture. Layer each tortilla with equal amounts of cabbage, bell pepper, mango, black beans, spinach and cheese. Roll up tortillas to make wraps.
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Area Extension Director
Robert Baldwin, Acting AED
| Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
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Nutrient Management
Kyle Pope, Nutrient Management Advisor
410-222-3906
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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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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
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