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200 Chesapeake Blvd, Suite 1500
Elkton, MD 21921
410-996-5280
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Cecil County Agriculture Education Days 2024 | |
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Designed for Cecil County 7th grade students, this three-day event is a culmination of activities that will supplement and support agricultural content encountered during the school year, in the Cecil County science 7th grade curriculum. It will allow the students to discover the county's rich agricultural history, career opportunities in a variety of agricultural sectors, and explore interests specific to their Cecil County communities.
We are happy to announce the dates for our 2nd Annual Cecil Ag Education Days -- April 29-May 1, 2025
(with April 28 as a set up day).
Visit our website for more information on this program!
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Want to See More Agriculture Related Information?
Check out our monthly Cecil County Agriculture Newsletter.
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Cecil County Extension has an
Agriculture Facebook page.
Cecil County Extension Agriculture
Please like, follow, and share.
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Water & Chesapeake Bay
Watershed Protection and Restoration Program
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Improving water quality through stormwater management and watershed restoration techniques, the Sea Grant Watershed Protection and Restoration Program works with local and state governments, watershed organizations, and community groups in Maryland to build partnerships, identify funding sources, and advise/assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects. | |
The Cecil County Master Gardeners hosted an October workshop on Succulent Trimmed Pumpkins. | |
Master Gardener Bay-Wise Program | |
Pictured left to right: MG Pete Van Keuren, North East Assistant Town Administrator Grant Handley, and MG Rhonda Combs) | |
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Cecil County Master Gardeners recently certified some of the
Town of North East gardens as Bay-Wise certified.
Want more information on the Bay-Wise Program?
Want to get your landscape Bay-Wise certified?
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Upcoming events, workshops, activities, videos, photos and advice on gardening are posted on our Facebook page, YouTube channel and website.
Follow us on Facebook to get the latest information.
Learn how to become a Master Gardener Volunteer.
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Have a plant or pest question?
University of Maryland Extension’s experts have answers!
Questions are answered by Home and Garden Information Center’s Certified Professional Horticulturists.
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Welcome to Our Team
Mackenzie Jones
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I am Mackenzie Jones, and I am excited to be the new 4-H Program Assistant. I am excited to see how my new position can allow me to fulfill two of my life goals. The first is to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers. The second is to educate consumers about where their food comes from. These goals stem from my passion and love for agriculture since I was a young girl. I am a part of the 5th generation of Pioneer Valley Farm, a dairy farm owned by my grandparents, Ronald and Janette Underwood.
I am a 4-H Alumna and have been a 4-H volunteer for 6 years. I was a member of the Rising Sun Milk Squirters 4-H club. While being a member, I held elected positions of club secretary and club president. As a 4-H youth, I showed dairy cattle, beef cattle, and swine. From 2014 to 2018, I served on the Cecil County Jr. Fairboard and the agriculture education, 4-H promotion, and Cecil Celebrity event committees. In 2016, I went to the U.S. Virgin Islands with a USDA program called AgDiscovery. I spent two weeks on the island of St. Croix, where I learned all about agriculture in a tropical climate. I was also the 2016-2017 Maryland Dairy Princess and the 2017 Miss Maryland Agriculture. Holding these two state titles allowed me to form a love for agriculture education and communicating directly with consumers. In 2021, I became a committee member of the Maryland Dairy Princess Association (MDPA) and in 2022, I was voted Vice President. At the beginning of this year, I became one of the two state coordinators for the MDPA.
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When I am not working, volunteering, or on the farm, I spend time with my husband, Nick. I look forward to working with current 4-H youth and volunteers and future 4-Hers through various outreach programs. | |
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Cecil 4-Hers Recognized by Cecil County Public Schools
Congratulations to 4-H members Kaelyn Kondracki, Trey Kuhl, Reed Mason and Caylin Warner. They were recognized by Cecil County Public Schools (CCPS) for their service in 4-H and during the Cecil County Fair. (Photo credit: Jen Shaw, CCPS)
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Congratulations to our National 4-H Horticulture Participants
Congratulations to Caleb Darsney, Olivia Lundy, and Ella Shortall who traveled to participate as members of the Maryland 4-H Horticulture judging team and Nathaniel Smith who did a speech as the Maryland 4-H Horticulture Demonstrator at the National Junior Horticulture Association Convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Congratulations!
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Get to Know Cecil 4-H (virtual)
November 5, 2024 | 7 PM
This program is designed to help newly enrolled or prospective members understand more about the 4-H youth development program in Cecil County. Participants will learn about the many opportunities 4-H offers from aerospace to dogs to horses to photography and every project in-between. To participate, register by 3:00 pm the day of the program at: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAud-2tpjIuEt2vGNd4q5SemZAKfSVMNeRe. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the program.
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Creative Clovers
November 6, 2024 | 6:45 - 7:30 PM
Cecil County Farm Museum,
820 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD
All Cecil County 4-H Clovers members ages 5-7 as of 1/1/24 are welcome to attend 4-H Creative Clover sessions. Participants do not have to attend every session. Please register
online at: https://forms.gle/mJqAneGyV92SAC72A by noon the day before the program so that we can gather enough supplies.
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Cecil County Fairboard Open Meeting/Fairboard Opportunity
November 14, 2024 | 7 PM
Calvert Grange Hall
This is the meeting to attend if you are interested in serving on the Cecil County Fairboard or have information or changes to propose to the Fairboard.
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Hands on Animal Science
Being Safe is No Accident
November 20, 2024 | 7 PM
Cecil County Farm Museum
820 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD 21921
Participants will learn about animal behavior and safety. Youth ages 5-18 are welcome to participate. Please register online at: https://forms.gle/f7YyrGxecamZQKnP8 by noon the day before the program so that we can gather enough supplies.
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Fall Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign | |
Follow us on Facebook for information on future events and activities. | |
Food, Nutrition & Wellness | |
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If you are a Cecil County resident age 18 and older, the Cecil County Health Department needs your help to identify the top health needs in Cecil County!
Please take some time out of your day to complete their Community Health Survey. | en español
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed)
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Maryland Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) offers nutrition education programs to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households and those eligible for SNAP. SNAP-Ed programs are provided at no cost to support the work of community agencies serving SNAP-eligible individuals and families, such as local food banks, schools, out-of-school sites, farmers markets, community centers, and food assistance sites.
Maryland SNAP-Ed is a program within University of Maryland Extension that creates healthier environments and improves the health and wellbeing of limited income families across Maryland. SNAP-Ed programs encourage a nutritious and active lifestyle through increased food access, drinking more water, and promoting physical activity.
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Cecil County SNAP-Ed in the Classroom
Recently North East Elementary 3rd graders learned about MyPlate and "Sometimes vs. All the Time Foods."
After the lesson, they made their own MyPlate Kabobs.
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Like our Facebook page and check out all of the great resources, which include healthy recipes, physical activity ideas, and gardening tips. | |
Family & Consumer Sciences | |
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs "strengthens families, farms, communities and the economy by focusing on the human dimensions of food and agriculture. Family and Consumer Sciences includes all topics of considerable importance for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in today’s society. | |
Fall Dining with Diabetes Programs | |
Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) | |
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps young families and youth with limited resources—those most at risk to suffer from hunger, food insecurity and the inability to connect with available support systems. | |
To learn more about this program or to sign up a group of five or more, contact Tammy Pryor, EFNEP educator at tpryor@umd.edu or call (410)-996-8136. | |
Cecil County Extension Office
Faculty and Staff
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Paul R. Rickert, MS, MCJ, EdD
Area Extension Director - Upper Shore Cluster
410-996-5280
prickert@umd.edu
Micki Preston
Administrative Assistant
410-996-8130
mpresto2@umd.edu
Donna Witkowski
Administrative Assistant
410-996-8131
dwitkow1@umd.edu
April Barczewski
4-H Youth Development
410-996-8134
adhall@umd.edu
Mackenzie Jones
4-H Youth Development
410-996-8137
mljones@umd.edu
Doris Behnke
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Master Gardener Coordinator
410-996-8135
dbehnke@umd.edu
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Sam Covington
Nutrient Management Program
410-996-8138
scoving2@umd.edu
Eric Buehl
Regional Watershed Restoration Specialist
410-827-8056 x176
ebuehl@umd.edu
Beverly Jackey
Family & Consumer Sciences
410-996-8133
bjackey@umd.edu
Amelia Gerres
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed)
410-996-8139
agerres@umd.edu
Joy Calhoun
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
(SNAP-Ed)
410-996-5280
jcalhou3@umd.edu
Tammy Pryor
Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program
410-996-8136
tpryor@umd.edu
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University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
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University of Maryland Extension Cecil County Youtube | | | | |
