Solutions in Your Community

Anne Arundel County UME Newsletter

May 2022


Dear Friends and Clients,


Well we can finally say HAPPY SPRING in CAPITAL letters! I hope everyone has been having a great time buying plants, preparing your pots or gardens and reading gardening books and magazines. I also hope we are all paying attention to what is happening in our nation and the world. I will say that I make a wish every night for a more peace in the world, although at times it seems like a wish that may only happen in "neverland".


Wishing you all peace and safe days and nights.



Best regards.

Karol Westelinck Dyson

Area Extension Director

Mark Your Calendar!

Field Crops Research Twilight, BBQ & Ice Cream Social

August 3, 2022

4:00-9:00 PM


The Fields Crops Research Twilight, BBQ and Ice Cream Social will take place at the Central Maryland Research & Education Center, 2005 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. A barbecue dinner will be served at 4:00 pm followed by homemade ice cream prior to the evening tour. University of Maryland Extension Educators and Specialists will showcase their field crop, vegetable and fruit research plots. Click here for more. information.


Office closures:

May 30: Memorial Day

June 20: Juneteenth (observed)

July 4: Independence Day

Eat Your Words!

LaTasha Coleman, MD SNAP-Ed Educator

This school year, Maryland SNAP-Ed is distributing thousands of books to students across the state of Maryland. Sylvia’s Spinach, by Katherine Pryor, tells the story of a young girl whose relationship with spinach transforms from yuck to yum through the process of growing veggies in her school garden.


Here in Anne Arundel County we have distributed over 1000 Sylvia’s Spinach books! Belle Grove Elementary, Ferndale Early Childhood Center, Maryland City Elementary, Park Elementary, Sarah’s House, and all (4) Y of Central Head Start sites have all received Sylvia’s Spinach books for their families. All sites have scheduled events which include:


  • A school-wide Sylvia’s Spinach classroom read aloud. Following the classroom read aloud students will then go home with the book and a parent newsletter which will encourage families to read the book together and participate in healthy habits at home.


  • Our schools are offering classroom, afterschool gardening club, and family gardening for nutrition activity to support the campaign. In the picture above you’ll see a Maryland City student planting his very own spinach Seed Baby Necklace to take home.


  • All students and families are invited to participate in a Facebook live summer kickoff event on June 9 at 7pm. All are welcome to participate: go.umd.edu/eat-your-words- kickoff



  • This campaign will continue all summer encouraging SNAP-Ed families to visit local farmers’ markets, and participate in local and virtual cooking and gardening events.

 

Like us on Facebook! Turn on notifications to learn more about the Eat our Words campaign: https://www.facebook.com/EatSmartMD

Urban Farming Research Clinic

An Urban Farming Research Clinic is being built just steps away from the Anne Arundel County Extension office. When completed, the two acre greenhouse will be the site for pumpkin, popcorn, Indian corn and sunflower production. Stay tuned!

Many Hands Makes Light Work!

On Monday, September 12th, 2022, Anne Arundel County 4-H Youth Development needs adults (minimum 1 hour) sometime between 2:00 and 8:00 pm to assist in judging youth 4-H projects at the Anne Arundel County Fair. Bring only yourself, instructions & materials will be given to you when you arrive. Please rsvp for a time, contact Joy Sim at jsim@umd.edu.

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.

Our Agronomy Experts are Here to Help

When 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: Upcoming programs

We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agriculture Agents:


Alan Leslie

301-542-7612

aleslie@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/charles-county


Ben Beale

301-481-7209

bbeale@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/locations/st-marys-county


Dave Myers

410-980-1768

myersrd@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county

Healthy Eating - Cucumber Salad

2 English cucumbers or 4 medium cucumbers

½ cup low-fat sour cream, plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt*

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill

Salt and pepper to taste


Peel the cucumbers if desired and thinly slice them with a knife or a mandolin slicer. Put them in a large salad bowl. In a medium bowl whisk together the yogurt, vinegar, sugar, and dill. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour dressing over cucumber slices and toss until combined. Cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.


*Thicker yogurt works better in this recipe. To make Greek yogurt from regular yogurt: Place yogurt in a small strainer lined with a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or sturdy paper towel. Place the strainer on a bowl with enough space to hold the dripping liquid under it. Cover with plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or until thickened like Greek yogurt.



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

Area Extension Director

Karol Dyson, AED

kdyson1@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Dave Myers, Principal Agent

myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Nutrient Management

Catherine Oberfield, Nutrient Management Advisor

catoberf@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program

Rachel Carey, Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator

careyr@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development

Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent

gsumbrum@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed)

LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate

lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903

University of Maryland Extension

Anne Arundel County Office

97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054

410-222-3900

extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county