April 28: Maryland Day
Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
May 1: MG Class - Urban Gardening
May 5: MG Composting Demonstration
Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
May 12: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
MG Beekeeping Demonstration
May 16: MG Composting Demonstration
May 19: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
May 20: MG Class - Honeybees Up Close
May 22: 4-H Volunteer Training
May 26: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
May 28: Memorial Day Office closed
June 2: MG Composting Demonstration
Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
Pollinator Corner at Down's Park
June 3: Pollinator Corner at Hammond-Harwood House
June 5: 4-H Volunteer Training
June 9: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
Beekeeping Demonstration
June 10: Pollinator Corner at Eastport Home & Garden Tour
June 16: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
June 20: MG Composting Demonstration
June 23: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
June 24: Honeybees Up Close
June 30: Ask-A-MG Plant Clinic
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April 2018
I have been falsely welcoming spring for the past 6 weeks, but hopefully this time it will stay!
If you have never been to our office at 97 Dairy Lane, I would like to invite you to come and see the wonderful job that the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners have done in the courtyard or "Village Garden" next to our office. There are a variety of landscapes to experience including Native Plants and Shrubs, Herbs, and Grow It, Eat It, along with dedicated areas to Pollinators, and Serenity and Four Season Gardens. Wonder what all these are? The Master Gardeners have created a special landscape in miniature that you are sure to enjoy and learn from, whether you are a beginner or a life time gardener. The office is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and many evenings for meetings and programs. Give us a call if you would like to learn more.
Happy spring!
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
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Mark your calendars!
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
May 5-6, 2018
The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival will take place on May 5th and 6th
at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD.
Click
here to learn more.
Composting Demonstrations
Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners
Beginning on, Saturday, May 5, the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners will be conducting Composting Demonstrations twice a month at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD.
Attendees receive a free compost bin, provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recycling and an information bag with printed materials explaining various ways of composting. The team also presents compost talks to elementary students, either at their schools or at Quiet Waters Park.
Click here to learn more.
Pasture Walk
May 15, 2018
6:00-8:00 PM
Register now for a hands-on walking educational program through University of Maryland's Rotational Grazing Site at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center and Farm Park located at 1114 Shawan Rd., Cockeysville, MD. Participants will get a
chance to speak with and ask questions with University of Maryland Extension agriculture agents and Baltimore Soil Conservation District experts in pasture management, nutrient management, and best management practices. This spring's pasture walk will focus on: weed and pasture plant identification; fertility; and pasture management. There is no charge for this program, but please register ahead of time by calling the Baltimore County Extension Office at (410) 887-8090. For questions, please contact Erika Crowl or Andy Kness.
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April is National Financial Literacy Month How to Talk to Your Kids About Money
Priscilla Graves, FCS Extension Educator
Did you know that April is National Financial Literacy Month? Council for Economic Education (CEE) conducts a full roster of events throughout the month to shine a spotlight on the importance of economic and financial education. Let's start with talking to our children about  money. How soon is too soon to talk to your kids or grandkids about money? If they are old enough to ask for a toy or a bike, they are old enough to start learning financial lessons that will last a lifetime. The best financial lessons are part of everyday experiences. Look for opportunities to talk about money, read books aloud and play games that center around spending money wisely. Be open and honest when you discuss your financial experiences. Here are some examples of teachable moments to help you get started. At the bank
When you go to the bank, bring your children with you and show them how transactions work. Get the manager to explain how the bank operates, how money generates interest and how an ATM works. You can also ask for a bank tour and view the vault.
On payday
Discuss how your pay is budgeted to pay for housing, food and clothing, and how a portion is saved for future expenses such as college tuition and retirement.
At the Market
It's easy to give clear examples of "needs" and "wants" using different kinds of foods at a grocery store. Milk (for strong bones) is a need; soft drinks are a want. Explain the benefits of comparison shopping, coupons and store brands.
 Chores and allowances
Assign chores and give them a monetary value. Discuss ways to budget and divide allowances. Encourage children to set a financial goal, such as saving for a bike, and figure out how to achieve it.
Paying bills
Explain the many ways that bills can be paid: over the phone, cash or check, electronic check or online check draft. Discuss how each method of bill pay takes money out of your account. Be sure to cover late penalties, emphasizing the importance of paying bills on time. Using credit cards Explain that credit cards are a loan and need to be repaid. Share how each month a credit card statement comes in the mail with a bill. Discuss the features of different types of cards, such as ATM, debit and credit cards.
Browsing the Internet
While online, explain to your children how valuable their personal information and privacy is to you, to them and to online predators. Discuss the risks and benefits of sharing certain information. Then, as a family, make a list of rules for keeping personal information safe online.
Planning a vacation
Whether you are planning an outing to an amusement park or a weeklong vacation, emphasize the value of saving as a family. Set a family savings goal that involves your children. Figure out the cost and discuss ways everyone can help to reach the goal.
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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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Grow It, Eat It, Preserve It
For years, classes and workshops have been taught to our Maryland communities sharing
USDA approved canning techniques. With increased interest in this area, these
classes/workshops are now an integral part of the
Grow It Eat It program developed by University of Maryland Ext
 ension.
The food preservation classes are intended to provide a hands on learning experience for both beginners and advanced preservers. This course is aimed at introducing the food science principles of high and/or low acid foods to be preserved, as well as the knowledge to safely can to prevent botulism. For our advanced canners, this class provides them with the updated science, resources, and tools that may not have been available when they first started canning.
Click here to learn more.
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Spring Lawn Care: How to Deal with Weeds and Bare Spots
Maryland Grows Blog
With spring gardening season right around the corner, lawn questions have been rolling in to the Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC). Here are some of the most common questions about weeds and
overseeding.
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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.
Agriculture Newsletters
Agriculture Calendar of 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.
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Shred-A-Rama 2018
Prevent Identity Theft! The Anne Arundel County Government will be holding their 2018 Shred-A-Rama on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Bring your personal documents and watch them be
shredded in a commercial shredder. There is no cost for Anne Arundel County residents,
but donations wil
l be accepted.
Click
here for more information.
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Healthy Eating - Fruit Salad with Jicama
1 jicama, washed and sliced in thin strips
2 cups watermelon or cantaloupe, washed and cut in cubes
1 mango, washed, peeled and cut in cubes
1 papaya, washed, peeled and seeded, cut in cubes
1 kiwi, washed, peeled and cut in cubes
1 lime, juiced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
Add fruit to large bowl. Sprinkle the lime juice over the fruit. In a small bowl, mix the salt and chili powder. Sprinkle over the fruit and serve. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Note: Wash melon before slicing.
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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 awahle@umd.edu. "4-H makes the best better!" |
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Did you know...
April is National Gardening Month! April is like Mother Nature's alarm clock for plants to start coming to life. Plants and animals are waking from their winter's rest to bloom and enjoy the warmer weather while filling the air with the fresh scents and colors of spring.
Click
here to learn more.
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Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900
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Area Extension Director
Karol Dyson, AED
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
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Nutrient Management
Nutrient Management Advisor
410-222-3906
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Master Gardener Program
Master Gardener Coordinator
410-222-3906
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4-H Youth Development
Amanda Wahle, Agent
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Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
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