Solutions in Your Community


In This Issue

November 3:
Election Day
Office closed

November 6:
Eating Out & Eating Healthy
Fresh Conversations Online Session

November 11:
Veteran's Day
Office closed

November 20:
Dairy Case Dilemma
Fresh Conversations
Online Session

November 26-27:
Thanksgiving Holiday
Office closed

December 4:
Ancient Grains
Fresh Conversations
Online Session

December 18:
Sugar: Sinfully Sweet?
Fresh Conversations
Online Session

December 25:
Christmas Day
Office closed
October 2020

Dear friend of Extension,
 
It is hard to believe that we are entering the 9th month of the COVID-19 pandemic and the numbers keep increasing. Many of us feel terrified at the months ahead, while others hope and pray that it will soon be over. Remember that changing your environment, even without any major travel, can pick up your spirits and give you a new view of your life and what is possible. Taking up an outside activity like raking leaves, putting your gardens to bed, planting bulbs and grooming/playing with pets and other animals can help to chase the blues away. 
 
Start a new book, grow plants inside, and attempt some new cooking adventures. Take hikes and walks in new places that you always "meant" to visit. Visiting neighbors, offering to help neighbors who are homeschooling or rescuing a new pet will keep you entertained and bring you some adventures and cheer. 
 
Please contact us if we can provide expertise or ideas to make these shorter days better. Wishing you a Happy and safe Halloween!

Best,
 
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
We're still in business, but with some differences!!

We have partially resumed operations at our office at Sunrise Farm and hope to see you soon! All visits will be by appointment only. No walk-ins are permitted. We will be working on a "hybrid" schedule which will include some telecommuting and some office time until County Executive Steuart Pittman clears county employees and services to be back in the offices full-time.

As we return to part-time office work, certain guidelines are being followed:
  • Face masks must be worn and social distancing practiced at all times while at our facility.

  • All visits will be on an appointment-only basis. The best way to reach the educators will be by email. We will only have 1 appointment at a time. Please come alone; do not bring anyone else with you.

  • When you arrive for your appointment, please call the office from the parking lot and let us know you are here. You will receive a call when the person you are coming to see is ready. They will meet you at the door. They will meet with you outside if the weather is cooperating.

  • We know this may seem inconvenient to some of you; these are county and university guidelines created to try to meet our mission of servig and educating the public and our stakeholders and at the same time ensuring the safety of our faculty, staff and YOU!
4-H is Still Busy!
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
4-H Youth Development
 
Although the year has challenged us, the Life Skills Wheel is a reminder of how 4-H prepares youth to reach their fullest potential. A skill is a learned ability and life skills are those competencies that assist people in functioning well in the environments in which they live. As a positive youth development program, 4-H aligns Life Skills with youth programs/projects. The youth have shown practice and mastery of a number of skills; here are a few examples.

Learning to Learn: 4-H youth from a local club moved milkweed plants indoors to construct a butterfly experience which included maintaining the habitat and making observations from eggs to chrysalis stage to butterflies. Research was done to learn about release times and how to tell males from females.

Resiliency: The County Fair did not occur yet 4-H youth, volunteers, and families ensured that livestock projects continued. We all know raising livestock is a full time commitment that cannot be stopped. Youth understood that even though there was not a Fair, they had to continue their projects and ensure a responsible outcome. They did that by finding buyers and participating in a virtual auction.

Concern for Others: Through the pandemic, 4-Her's continue to give back especially to essential workers in the community. Youth sewed facemasks, constructed ear savers, and designed and sent cards of inspiration and thanks. These young people all felt compelled to do something constructive with their time and knew they could help others and let our community members know they are appreciated.
It's October and the Lilac is in Bloom, What is Going On?  
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

Extreme weather conditions can put plants under stress and cause normally spring-bloomers such as lilacs to flower in the fall. Storm damage including broken limbs, lost leaves, and flooded roots can also lead to stress which changes the plant hormone levels causing plants to bloom and produce leaves out of season. Badly damaged plants sometimes put their energy into reproduction and creating a new generation before they die.

This particular lilac is part of an aging grove that has received little attention in recent years. Our wet springs in 2019 and 2020 most certainly contributed to the development of a fungal disease called anthracnose which attacks the leaves and stems.  Anthracnose thrives under moist and warm conditions and is often spread by overhead watering. Figure 2, shows leaf curl and distortion and leaf drop often follows. Pruning can remove infected foliage, but this also subjects the plant to stress which can cause the plant's growth to slow or even stop. Once fall approaches and the weather begins to cool and regulate, the plants are tricked into thinking that it is time to flower.

Although we can't prevent extreme weather conditions, we can do some things to mitigate plant stress like enriching the soil with compost, applying mulch, and supplemental watering during periods of drought. Make sure to water using drip irrigation not a sprinkler. We can plant disease resistant varieties and space shrubs to maximize air circulation and sun exposure, which will facilitate faster leaf drying. It is essential to rake and dispose of fallen leaves and twigs as the dead and damaged debris serves as an inoculant for the next year's fungal growth.A fungicide can be applied in early spring just as leaves begin to open.
In general, anthracnose will not kill the lilac shrub, but repeated infections will weaken the plant and stunt healthy growth. Fortunately not all of the lilac buds bloomed so there will be a spring display though probably not as vigorous since those that bloomed in October will not bloom again in the spring. For now I will enjoy the lilac's bloom and fragrance.

 
Figure 1 Lilac blooming out of sync in early October

Figure 2 Distorted lilac leaves in mid-summer

Our Experts Are Here to Help!

For well over 100 years, University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland citizens and communities. We will not waiver from that promise. Our  faculty and staff are developing new learning opportunities to continue to meet the needs of our stakeholders and clientele; we are committed to ensuring that you have the science-based information you need to protect your families, farms and communities whether in an urban, suburban or rural area of the state. 
We are ready to serve you.
 
While our offices are closed or only partially staffed, 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.

We are offering many classes remotely, and, in fact, you can attend classes across the state from the comfort of your home!
 
Access University of Maryland Extension Online Resources at: https://extension.umd.edu
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.
Conservationist of the Year!
 
Dave Myers, our Agriculture Agent, was recently declared "Conservationist of the Year" by the Anne Arundel County Soil Conservation District. If you farm in Anne Arundel, Prince George's, or Calvert County and don't know Dave, give him a ring. He is also a farmer and a great advocate for all of us! Dave has been a tireless advocate for agronomy and farmers in Southern Maryland. One of the first advocates of no-till agriculture, Dave helped champion on-farm soil conservation practices in Maryland. Dave has provided support to all Southern Maryland farmers through his research and farm tours, as a member of multiple agriculture boards, and by supporting the next generation of agriculture in Anne Arundel County. Congratulations Dave! 
Good Morning, Farmer!
 
Beginning December 2020 and running through March 2021, the University of Maryland Extension will host Good Morning, Farmer! an online gathering place where farmers can discuss topics of interest, learn from experts and provide support through community fellowship.
 
For more information and links to registration, please go to: https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/good-morning-farmer
It's Turkey Time!

How can I tell if my turkey is done? Is my turkey gluten-free? The Butterball Turkey Talk Line® can help! From November 1st through December 24th Butterball® experts are available to answer your questions via telephone, email and online chat. Visit their website - www.butterball.com/turkey-talk-line - to learn more.
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

Perhaps you have heard that the Anne Arundel County Fair was not held this year, along with most other county fairs. They were missed by many, but there were some virtual
activities in their place, including a livestock Sale of 4-H and FFA project animals. Special thanks to all of the Anne Arundel County residents who supported our youth through purchases of livestock projects! Hopefully next year we will be back to holding our wonderful County Fair.

Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more about 4-H! Visit our website or email the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu"4-H makes the best better!"
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:
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.
Healthy Eating - Zucchini Pizza Bites

1 large zucchini, washed and sliced in 1/4 inch thick circles
Cooking oil spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat the oven to broil. Place zucchini slices on a baking sheet, in a single layer. Spray each
 zucchini slice lightly with cooking oil spray.  Flip each slice and spray on the other side. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top of zucchini slices. Broil the zucchini for 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip slices over, return to the oven and broil 2 minutes more. Top each zucchini slice with 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cheese on each slice. Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil for an additional minute or two until cheese melts and begins to brown. Using a spatula, transfer pizza slices to a tray or plate to cool a bit before serving
.

Did you know...

You don't need to limit your harvests to summer! You can grow cold-hardy winter crops no matter what region you are in.

Click here to learn more.




Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900

 Area Extension Director
 Karol Dyson, AED
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

 
Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
kmgriffi@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator
nallred@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development
Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent
gsumbrum@umd.edu or 410-222-3900


Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903


Family and Consumer Sciences
Jeanette Jeffrey, Agent
jjeffrey@umd.edu or 410-222-3906