Can't see the entire newsletter? Click HERE to view in your browser!



Maryland SNAP-Ed

Welcome Khylah Harris, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator!

Hello everyone! My name is Khylah Harris and I am a new Snap-Ed Nutrition Educator for Charles County, Maryland. I am a recent graduate from Morgan State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science.

Growing up, I have always had a passion for food and understanding how it impacts our bodies. This curiosity drove me to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics. Now, as a nutrition educator, I am excited to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with Maryland's residents.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (Go Eagles!), I have called Maryland my home for the past decade. During my free time, I enjoy making candles, as it allows me to express my artistic side and create beautiful scents for my home. I also love tending to my houseplants and watching them thrive. Lastly, I am a proud dog owner and I find joy in playing with my Yorkshire Terrier, Sage.

I am excited to be a part of the team. Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere!

Jessica Conjour, MPH

Project Leader and Nutrition Educator

Maryland SNAP-Ed

jconjour@umd.edu 

We've picked them, carved them, chucked them, and now we can eat them! Fall often provides an abundance of opportunity for consuming pumpkins. What is there to do other than pie?!?

Check out these recipe ideas - Canned Pumpkin 5 Ways - for when you just don't know what to do with the rest of the can of pumpkin. Tired of pumpkin? Try swapping pumpkin out for other fall squash - butternut, honeynut, acorn, kabocha, delicata, carnival, hubbard, and more!

Click on the images below to get some of my favorite pumpkin recipes!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites

Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins

In need of food assistance for the upcoming holiday season?



Check out all of the great resources available on the Charles County Food Connection website. This site lists upcoming events, regular food pantries, and organizations that can assist in times of need. 

Growing with 4-H

Trunk or Treat Celebrates Its 4th Anniversary

Jeanne Williams

4-H Program Assistant

October 27 was a beautiful night for all the ghouls and goblins to gather at the Charles County Fairgrounds for the 4^th Annual 4-H Trunk or Treat. This event began in 2020 as a way for our 4-H members to get to see their club leaders and other 4-H volunteers after a very upside down and stressful year. That year the event was restricted to 8 trunks with 10 people giving out goodies, and was open only to 4-H members.

This year, we were able to open the event to

4-H members and their friends. There were 21 stations with volunteers and families handing out goodies to over 70 children. The kids learned a little about 4-H, saw their friends after the fair season, showed off their costumes, and had lots of fun.

We were so excited to have this many visit and can’t wait for Trunk or Treat 2024 with the plans to open up to the entire Charles County community!

Maryland 4-H Shines at the 2023 National Skillathon Competition

in Louisville, Kentucky

Four youth members represented Maryland at the 2023 National Skillathon contest in Louisville, Kentucky. There were two members from Charles County, one from Carroll County, and one from Montgomery County.

To prepare for the contest, youth had to gain extensive knowledge in animal science and the livestock industry. They learned to identify breeds, feeds, meats, and equipment, as well as how to read medicine labels, correctly administer medication, judge hay and wool, and so much more.

As a team, these members also learned about reproductive physiology, working with live animals, breeding animal selection, and carcass evaluation.

The team from Maryland placed 6^th out of 22 teams from across the nation. The individual youth from Charles County came in 19^th and 22^nd overall. This team had a great week and we are so proud of their efforts!

Congratulations, 4-H Maryland Team!

Local 4-H'er Excels in National Poultry Judging Competition

This year, Maryland had one youth member represent the state at the National Poultry Judging Competition in Louisville, Kentucky: Addison Herbert, who happens to be from Charles County!

After placing first in the state contest, Addison studied with local coaches to prepare for the national competition. This was just his first year trying poultry judging and to go to the national level is a huge accomplishment. The contest was held on November 16 with an awards banquet that evening, and Addison receiving 18th place overall in the nation.

This is Addison’s final year in 4-H and we are so proud of all of his accomplishments! He has said he is ready to volunteer with 4-H and help teach other youth about poultry judging.



Congratulations, Addison!

Photo credits: Jeanne Williams

4-H Year Comes to a Close

Bonnie Boyden

Program Management Specialist, 4-H

As the sun sets on our 2023 4-H year, we are excited to see what the sunrise will be like in 2024. We are so proud of all the accomplishments that our 4-H members and volunteers have achieved this past year. We have had amazing camps, fairs, workshops and state contest winners. Many of our 4-H volunteers were recognized at the state level for their dedication to the program.

We are looking forward to 2024 and all that 4-H will be offering for our current and new members. We will also be welcoming two new staff members to the 4-H office in January.

The 4-H enrollment system is closed for 2023, and will reopen soon after the first of 2024. Please reach out if you would like to become a volunteer or if you know any young people that would like to join 4-H.

May each of you have a joyous and happy holiday season.

Photo credit: Bonnie Boyden

Tech Education

Senior Citizens Learn to Use Computers for the First Time

Eight seniors at Loffler Senior Center attended a 5-week Chromebook Essentials Course offered by UME Tech Educator, Maria Barga, using curriculum created by Senior Planet. The course is designed for people who have never used a computer before, starting with how to turn on the device and use a trackpad or mouse.

By the end of the course, every student demonstrated an ability to use their computer, mouse and keyboard; connect to WiFi; open apps; access their settings; safely navigate the internet and use their email.

Comments were overwhelmingly positive, with statements such as "I learned technical terms and what they mean, how to look up and search websites, especially favorite things or things that interest me. This class is great! I wish I had taken it sooner. My classroom neighbor found her high school graduating class and she was emotional about seeing their names. Maria helped her save it to her drive and phone so she could share it with her friends and family."

It was such a hit, that the course being offered next year is already full!

Photo credit: Candace Nelson, Operations Manager, Loffler Senior Center

Maria Barga

Extension Tech Educator

mbarga@umd.edu

Family and Consumer Sciences

Deon Littles

Financial Wellness Extension Agent Associate

dlittles@umd.edu

Master Gardener News

Master Gardeners about Town . . .

Terry Thir

Master Gardener Volunteer

. . . Meeting the Public at the County Fair

Lots of information was shared with fairgoers who were genuinely interested in gardening and the role that Master Gardeners provide to our county.

We got many questions about gardening, bugs eating plants and what to do about salvaging their vegetables. We were able to help promote the Bay-Wise program and encourage folks to get their property evaluated. People were really happy to learn about the tax reduction for the water remediation fees once Bay-Wise certified. 

It was nice hearing stories from fairgoers about how they got into gardening, their passion and thirst for more information. And, we had 20 people express interest in taking the basic MG course!

. . . Performing On Stage at the Fair



"The Misadventures of Peter Rabbit in Farmer McGregor’s Vegetable Garden – Vegetables!!! Vegetables!!" starring CCMGs Gail Walker (Peter Rabbit), Connie Nesbary (Mother Rabbit), Paris and Jerry Reed (Farmer McGregor and his wife), Terry Thir (Ripley Rat), Laura Walker (Ladybug Beetle), Teri White (Japanese Beetle), Rose Markham (Praying Mantis), Jamila Barton (Busy Bee), Teresa Jones (Butterfly) and Kathy Jenkins (narrator).

. . . At the La Plata Farmers Market Pumpkin Fall Fest

We had lots of people stop by our booth to ask gardening and horticultural questions and inquire whether to kill or not to kill the Spotted Lantern Fly based on recent opinions expressed on social media. (Check out the Home and Garden website for information on this topic).

Terry and team provided demonstrations on how to winter-sow native flowers and the different types of natives flowers that could be added to provide nectar sources for pollinators.

. . . At the La Plata Fall Festival

We had a great turnout of volunteers to staff the Grow It Eat It, Bay-Wise, Plant Clinic, and native and pollinators booths. We provided demonstrations about growing lettuce in a container and encouraged visitors to try winter sowing and to plant native flowers in their gardens. 

Children enjoyed all the fun educational activities, especially “Polly the Pollinator” (aka Jeanine Harrington, Intern), who dressed in a bee costume and engaged with children. 

All above photo credits: Terry Thir

Master Gardener Workshops Focus on "Grow It Eat It" Education

Meg MacDonald

Master Gardener Volunteer

Surveys conducted during the 2023 County Fair indicated the public was most interested in "food gardening." As a result, a new project was formed: Charles County Grow It Eat It (GIEI) Education, whose mission is teaching how to grow affordable and healthy food using sustainable gardening practices. Three public workshops were held, covering garden planning, garden problems, and "Ask a Gardener - Fall Edition."

Vegetable Garden Planning provided instructions on how to plan, prepare, plant, and produce edible crops in a variety of settings, including raised beds, in-ground gardens, and containers, as well as information on soil testing, site selection, and suitable vegetable crops. Watch the PowerPoint Presentation on Vegetable Garden Planning.

Photo credit: Meg MacDonald

Vegetable Garden Problems stressed integrated pest management strategies, including nurturing beneficials, using barrier protections, correctly identifying problems and targeting these, and other ways to manage problems in an environmentally friendly way. Watch the PowerPoint Presentation on Vegetable Garden Problems.

Photo Credit: Terry Thir

"Ask A Master Gardener - Fall Edition"

The GIEI team set up multiple demonstrations and displays and answered questions from participants about extending the season, drying and preserving herbs, prepping soil for the spring, and planning for winter sowing later in the year.

Photo credit: Terry Thir

Photo credit: Meg MacDonald

GIEI in the Community

In September, the GIEI team participated in a Health and Wellness Expo offered by Chutes, Inc., a private company in Waldorf, Maryland. CCMGs and Interns provided information and answered questions on food gardening to many of the 100+ employees of the company who stopped by our tables. Live demonstration items were on display, including potted herbs, herb drying equipment, food safety booklet, and a lettuce box full of healthy seedlings grown by CCMG Tina Bailem.

At this Expo, we discovered the top areas of interest are food gardening, followed by preserving the harvest, gardening for kids, native plants, composting, and gardening for medicinal purposes. It was a great opportunity for CCMG to reach members of the public, and we are grateful to Chutes, Inc. for providing that opportunity.

Photo credit: Meg MacDonald.

And Looking Ahead . . .

CCMG GIEI EDU Project partnered with the Charles County Libraries to host regular, seasonal workshops at various branches throughout the county. The next workshop is planned for February 3, 2024, at the Waldorf West Library. The topic is “Starting Vegetable Seeds, Indoors and Out.”

The CCMG project team members are Beth Grem and Meg MacDonald, co-chairs, Tina Bailem, Michelle Chenault, Lori Guido, Kathy Jenkins, and Terry Thir. Many other CCMGs and Interns volunteered their time and support at events and in the planning of presentations; they have helped to make the CCMG GIEI EDU project’s first year a busy and successful one. We are looking forward to an equally rewarding 2024.

To stay in the know about upcoming Master Gardener events and workshops, check our website for news.

Agriculture

The 2023 harvest marks the close of the growing season and is an excellent time to start making plans for the coming spring. Now is a good time to start gathering the information needed to update your nutrient management plans for 2024.

Below is an abbreviated list of important items that will need to be addressed in order to update your plan for the next cropping season:

 Soil tests (less than three years old)

• Pastures must be sampled as well, even if no nutrients are applied.

Manure samples

• Only require manure samples on operations larger than 20 AUs. If your operation is less 20 AUs, you are allowed to use a book value analysis.

 Livestock information

• Type of animals, average weight, confinement periods, and amount of bedding material.

Field histories & Intended Crop Rotation

• Multiple cropping scenarios can be planned.

Yield Goals

• Should be developed based on prior yield records.

Farm Maps

• Note any changes, bring maps of new farming properties.

Our office is currently open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am thru 4:30pm. If you have a question or would like to start the process of updating your nutrient management plan, please contact me at 301-539-3058, or fwarring@umd.edu.

Francis Warring

Nutrient Management Advisor

fwarring@umd.edu

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Scan the QR codes in our new postcards to access the wealth of information available on the website and to join the UME Team! Postcards may also be picked up from the Extension offices.