In This Issue ~
- From the Desk of Shelley King-Curry, Southern Area Extension Director
- Let's make some easy, delicious snacks!
- Need help getting food? Check this out!
- What you need to know about this colorful pest
- You can help save our waterways and wildlife
- Valentine Hearts-to-Hearts from 4-H
- Congratulations to the 4-H Awardees!
- Nature - an essential ingredient for healthy youth
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Greetings and Winter Happenings at the University of Maryland Charles County Extension!
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Well, here we are in the winter of 2023! It’s been a long road from 2020 and the shutdown of programs, but we now are back - bigger and better than ever! Our mission has not changed - we are determined to have a significant, positive impact in the community by providing educational resources for youth development; sharing inspiration and instruction for home gardening; giving guidance in food safety, health and welfare; and instructing farmers on best management practices.
In this issue of our newsletter, you will find some delicious snack recipes, plus a source for food giveaways, in-depth information on how to deal with a particular insect pest, and how to get “buffer bags” to protect our waterways and habitats. On the 4-H front, read what the 4-H'ers made for Valentine's Day, celebrate the 4-H State award winners, and discover the benefits of getting youth involved in the outdoors.
Through funding received from the American Rescue Plan, Tech Extension Educator/
Navigators will soon be coming on board to develop and implement local programs to educate residents on a range of issues related to digital literacy. They will provide resources to help navigate local, state, and federal programs promoting access to high-speed internet. The Southern Cluster position will be housed in our Charles County office. This is an exciting opportunity to reach the underserved in the area of technology education and internet access.
In the “Hail and Farewell” department, we will be saying “goodbye” to our Agriculture and Foods Systems Agent Dr. Alan Leslie, who has taken the role of Center Director for Western Maryland, Lower Eastern Shore, and Central Maryland Research and Education Centers. Alan begins his new position on March 27, and we give him a huge shoutout of congratulations and wish him all the best.
So, while this past year has seen a lot of changes, we look forward to the renewal that spring brings. My wish is that you seek opportunities to grow and enjoy with Extension. We especially appreciate your support and encouragement, and we commit to bringing the best services to everyone in the community.
Shelley
Shelley T. King-Curry, MS
University of Maryland Extension
Area Extension Director -
Southern Maryland Cluster
Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties
9501 Crain Highway, Box 1
Bel Alton, MD 20611
skingcur@umd.edu
301-934-5403, Ext. 300
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Snack Away!
Click on the images for the recipes
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What's the big dill? This delicious Dilly Spinach Dip! It's filled with protein, calcium, fiber, and plenty of vitamin C to keep you healthy and strong. Try it with some whole wheat crackers or some of your favorite veggies.
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You can never go wrong with a good salsa. Try a twist on the original with this My Plate Salsa - featuring all 5 food groups.
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Looking for FREE Food Resources? |
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The Indian Head Senior Center hosts monthly food giveaways sponsored by the Maryland Food Bank.
Upcoming Distribution: Tuesday, February 28, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (while supplies last).
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Find additional food resources near you through the
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Jessica Conjour, MPH
Project Leader and Nutrition Educator
Maryland SNAP-Ed
jconjour@umd.edu
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Harlequin Bugs: Biology and Control |
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While Punxsutawney Phil predicted we would not have an early spring this year, it is never too early to start thinking about insect pests and how you will manage them in your early season crops. One pest that seems to be showing up in greater numbers each year is the harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica).
These black and orange bugs (photo left: Harlequin bug nymph, or immature stage. Photo: S. Ausubel) are a type of stink bug, closely related to the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), but one thing that sets them apart from their relatives is that they prefer to feed on cole crops in the family Brassicaceae. These include many of the earliest vegetable crops that farmers will have out in the fields, including broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, and kohlrabi. In Maryland, these insects typically will go through two generations, which means that cole crops grown for fall harvest, including cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, will face even higher pest pressures as populations build up through time.
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Harlequin bug adults are fairly easy to recognize, with bright orange and black markings, and a characteristic “X” shape where their wings fold across their back. The bright colors act as a warning to birds and other predators that they are distasteful, since they store mustard oils that they consume from their host plant as a defense. Harlequin bugs lay eggs on the undersides of the leaves of their host plants, typically as 12 eggs arranged in two rows. The eggs themselves are also very distinctive, having bold black and white stripes. The nymphs, or immature stages, have similar coloration as the adults, and molt their skin 5 times before reaching adulthood. |
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Harlequin bug eggs. Photo: M. J. Raupp |
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Adult harlequin bugs (Murgantia histrionica) feeding on broccoli. White stippling on the leaves is the typical damage caused by feeding. Photo: A. W. Leslie
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Like other stink bugs, harlequin bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts, and feed on plant sap. Their feeding damage typically shows up as white stippling of leaves where they have caused internal damage to crop tissues. For leafy greens like kale and collards, this type of damage makes these crops unmarketable. These white areas will eventually die and turn brown, and under heavy feeding pressure you may see crops begin to wilt. If harlequin bugs are not controlled, they can destroy entire fields of cole crops. |
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Harlequin bugs are typically a more serious pest in southern states, and the insects do not reliably overwinter above the 40th parallel. This places Maryland at the northern end of the range of this pest, which means that years following mild winters will see higher survival and larger spring populations, while years following colder winters will see higher mortality and lower spring pest pressure.
Harlequin bugs overwinter as adults in crop residues, and will continue to feed through the winter as long as host plants remain in the field. Therefore, the first method for reducing pest pressure is to destroy any crop residues remaining in the field after harvest through mowing and tillage, and to plant a non-mustard cover crop to prevent erosion and runoff during the winter. Harlequin bugs can also feed on wild plants in the mustard family, including shepherd’s purse, pepperweed, and bittercress. Managing these weeds in fields and field margins will also help reduce the population of harlequin bugs on your farm.
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Hairy bittercress, a wild host of harlequin bugs. Photo: C. Carignan |
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Row covers can protect early crops from freezing temperatures and also provide a barrier to protect them from early feeding damage by harlequin bugs. Photo: University of Wisconsin |
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Harlequin bugs are easily controlled with synthetic pyrethroids like bifenthrin and with neonicotinoids like imidacloprid. Neonicotinoids can be soil applied, and will provide extended protection of small plants, since the insecticide is taken up and stored within the plant tissue. Selective insecticides like Bt products and diamides are very effective against caterpillar pests, but will not provide any control of harlequin bugs, so if your crop has both pests, then you may need to alter your spray program.
For organic farms, floating row covers can provide a physical barrier to protect early-planted cole crops as long as there are no adults overwintering in the field and covers are well-sealed. The organic insecticide PyGanic (pyrethrum) can reduce harlequin bug numbers, but it is really only effective against the small, early stages, and will not provide good control of adults. Organic vegetable farms will have to rely on crop rotation and sanitation to keep harlequin bugs from becoming a problem.
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Dr. Alan Leslie
Extension Educator
Agriculture and Food Systems
aleslie@umd.edu
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Have You Heard of a "Buffer in a Bag"? |
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Riparian forest buffers provide critical protection to our waterways and create habitat for wildlife. Their deep root systems can stabilize streambanks in addition to taking up excessive amounts of nutrients created by stormwater runoff. Many trees and shrubs native to Maryland actually prefer moist soils found along the edges of streams and rivers. You may commonly hear the phrase “it likes to have wet feet” in reference to such plants.
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The Charles County Master Gardener Bay-Wise program has teamed up with our county forester to provide residents with free buffers in a bag. Each bag will include 12 bare-root seedlings, approximately 1-2 feet in height, which will be a mixture of American sycamore, swamp white oak, persimmon, and buttonbush. More information on these species can be found here.
American sycamores can grow up to 120 feet tall and have a canopy spread up to 100 feet wide, so be prepared for some very large trees. You will also be given information on planting techniques and proper maintenance.
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Who is eligible?
- Charles County residents who have a drainage ditch, stream, creek, or river flowing through their property or live adjacent to such a waterway.
- Smaller landowners who are not eligible for agricultural cost-share programs
A limited number of bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis; one bag per household. Click here for more information and to register.
The Backyard Buffers program is sponsored by the Maryland Forest Service and Potomac Watershed Partnership.
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Kaitlyn Baligush
Charles County Home Horticulture Educator
kbaligus@umd.edu
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The 4-H program in Charles County offers many opportunities for kids from 5 to 18. Below are some of the most recent accomplishments. Check out our calendar for the complete list and descriptions of the ongoing projects.
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Horsemasters Put Their Heart "H" to Work
Jeanne Williams
4-H Program Assistant
jeanneh@umd.edu
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During their February Club meeting, the Horsemasters 4-H Club designed, decorated, and created over 200 Valentine’s Day Cards. All the club members worked together to reach this feat. Then, the weekend before Valentine’s Day, some of the members gave their time to deliver the valentines to a local nursing home.
This tradition has been carried out by the club for many years, until 2021, when COVID didn’t allow the youth to meet in person or drop off the cards. This is the first year since the pandemic that Horsemasters was able to carry out this tradition once again.
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The club members made valentines at the February Club meeting. |
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Ava, Sophia, and Skylan delivered the Valentines to a local nursing home. |
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Charles County 4-H Celebrates
State Award Winners
Bonnie Boyden
4-H Program Management Specialist
bboyden@umd.edu
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Charles County 4-H is proud to announce 2022 adults and youth state 4-H winners. Thanks to the diligent work of Jeanne Williams nominating many of our county volunteers, the following were selected as state award winners.
Mr. Frank Fruh, long time shotgun instructor for the county, region, state, and nation and Mrs. Mary Agnes Swann, past club leader, mentor and county fair judge were both awarded the W. Sherrard Wilson 4-H Service Award.
Compton Bus Service owner Keith Compton was awarded the Maryland Friends of 4-H Award. The Compton family has a rich history in 4-H and we value them as a friend. The Maryland Partner in 4-H went to Ronnie Farrell of Farrell Auction Service. The Farrell family are longtime 4-H supporters, not just for Charles County but also for St. Mary’s County.
4-H Volunteer Lauren Mohler was honored as the Maryland 4-H Hall of Fame member. Lauren grew up in 4-H and is now a 4-H volunteer serving in many different roles on a county and state level.
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The highest honor went to the Philip Herbert family who received the Family of the Year Award. Phil and Ronda are both volunteers and their children Addison and Riley are very active members on a county and state level. We are honored to have the 2022 Family of the Year be from Charles County.
4-H member Addison Herbert, pictured left, was the recipient of the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Scholarship for winning the 2022 Maryland State 4-H Skillathon Contest.
All of these winners will be recognized on Sunday, February 19, at a virtual Gala Presentation.
Congratulations to all our winners! You do "Make the Best Better."
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Naturally Thriving in 4-H
Amy Lang
4-H Youth Development Educator
amlang@umd.edu
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What is Nature Deficit Disorder?
Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD) is a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book, Last Child in the Woods. It refers to the harmful consequences of not regularly accessing nature. Evidence suggests that limited contact with nature contributes to attention difficulties, obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illness. In contrast, nature experiences have been proven to provide a powerful healing experience; leading to lower levels of stress and obesity, and improved social interactions.
- A U.S. study found a 50% decline in the proportion of children ages 9-12 who spent time in nature activities, and that free play and discretionary time declined 9 hours/week over a 25 year period. (Hofferth and Sandberg, 2001)
- “Each hour of television watched per day by preschoolers increased by 10% the likelihood that they will develop concentration problems and other symptoms of ADHD by age 7.” (Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, 2004)
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Youth learned to appreciate and value nature in new ways
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Youth used creativity, imagination, persistence, and problem-solving to create art work using natural artifacts from our nature exploration |
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Youth problem-solved and persisted as they discovered the challenges of winter survival techniques and nature painting |
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4-H Solutions to Nature Deficit Disorder- Naturally Thriving in 4-H
The 4-H mission is to provide meaningful opportunities for positive youth development; creating avenues where youth can develop life and career skills in science, healthy living, and citizenship. All of these are addressed when we work to mitigate the impact of NDD.
Nature experiences have been linked to growth in every domain of childhood development; attention span, creativity, imagination, evaluation, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills flourish in natural environments. In nature children learn experientially; leading to an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem, resilience and perseverance.
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Outdoor Discovery Program
A year-long program meeting monthly in local parks. Marketed to outdoor enthusiasts, 5-18 years of age. Park partnerships provide space, stewardship projects, and content experts such as our eagle guest speaker seen above.
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Art in the Park
A six-session program offered monthly,
marketed to young artists 5-18 years of age. Partnerships with our local Art Center provided space, materials, and volunteer art instructors
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Feel free to contact our staff with any questions
or ideas you have to help make our community better.
Please send an email to jcrawfo4@umd.edu or visit our website.
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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. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at (301) 934-5403.
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