In This Issue ~
- From the Desk of Shelley King-Curry, Southern Area Extension Director
- Baby News
- Warring Farm Nomination
- Tomatoes vs. Summer Heat
- AG Training Dates
- Master Gardener Classes Starting Up Again
- 4-H Leaders in Training
- Trunk or Treat Time!
- Holiday Recipe Ideas
- Keep Moving with Family Fun Activities
- Kids and Money
- Subscribe to University of Maryland Extension publications
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Autumn 2021 at the
Charles County Extension!
What a difference a year makes. Needless to say, we all can agree that 2021 went fast! At the University of Maryland Extension (UME) in Charles County it’s because we have been quite busy this year with the resumption of in- person programs and establishing new ones while we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic.
We have been expanding the Master Gardener demonstration gardens at our Bel Alton office and delivering horticultural programs at other locations that have supported the local food bank, increased general gardening knowledge and interest in protecting the environment with plants. Our
4-H summer camp and other club activities resumed and youth have re-connected and
re-established important relationships and again are learning new skills.
Our financial and nutrition education programs continue providing valuable knowledge and information for individuals and families on how to manage during the pandemic while food and household budgets are being constrained. The local agricultural community is continuing to benefit from the training and soil nutrient management program we provide and from the sharing of the knowledge we have gained from the continual research we do on increasing farm yields, improving profitability, ensuring food security and protecting the environment.
After reflecting on all that was learned while adapting our programs during the past two years, we will continue to embrace opportunities for virtual education to reach broader audiences and meet varying needs. Virtual education will not replace in-person programs, it will be in addition to what we have always offered in person.
While reading through this edition of our last newsletter of 2021, please know we are thankful for our many constituents, stakeholders, partners, participants and volunteers, both youth and adults, including you who have supported us in bringing our unbiased, evidence-based education and resources to Charles County residents to improve lives, encourage community engagement and environmental stewardship.
As always, please let us know how we are doing and remember we will continue working for you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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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BABY NEWS!!!
Congratulations to Kiesha and Alan Leslie on the birth of their son, Malcolm Gray, on October 6. Malcolm weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces, and has an older brother, Isaac.
Alan is the Charles County Agriculture Extension Agent.
Congratulations, Leslie Family!
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Persistence Creek Farm Named one of Four Finalists for the Maryland Leopold Conservation Award |
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Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands.
Four farms are being considered for this first-time award and one of these is Persistence Creek Farm of Faulkner in Charles County, owned by the Warring family. Francis Warring is the Nutrient Management Advisor for the Charles County Extension Office.
The farm is being recognized for implementing a range of conservation practices that produce grain, seafood and timber. Riparian buffers were installed to capture nutrients from crop fields, improve water quality and provide nesting habitat for wildlife. Other improvements include planting monarch habitat, tree and shrub plantings, streambank stabilization, and cover crops planted on all fields.
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Earlier this year, Maryland landowners were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. The award recipient will be recognized at the Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention later this year.
The recipient receives a $10,000 award, and the conservation success found on their farm, ranch or forest will be featured in a professional video.
“Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “These hard-working families are essential to our environment, food system and rural economy.”
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The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont).
For more information about the Leopold Conservation Award, visit their website.
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Francis Warring
Nutrient Management Advisor
fwarring@umd.edu
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Evaluation of Hot-Set Tomato Cultivars to Fill the Summer Slump in Southern Maryland
Ben Beale, Extension Educator, St. Mary’s County
Alan Leslie, Extension Educator, Charles County
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The trial includes 13 cultivars of tomatoes that show promise to be able to set fruit in high temperatures during hotter summer conditions present in Southern MD (Fig. 1). The trial contains several standard varieties for comparison purposes.
This year, the tomato trials were located on 10 cooperating farms in St. Mary’s and Charles Counties as well as a more formal replicated field trial at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center-Upper Marlboro Facility (CMREC). Cultivars under trial are listed below (with links to their companies):
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*Varieties currently recommended for commercial vegetable production in the Mid-Atlantic.
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Plants were set in the field between the first and third week of June depending on trial location. Most plants were up to the fourth string with harvest of first fruit just beginning by early August. Temperatures in the three weeks prior to first harvest reached well into the upper 90’s. The goal of this trial was to find some new cultivars that will perform well during the traditional summer slump. |
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Figure 1. Example of tomatoes under trial (variety: Roadster).
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At the CMREC site, harvest was carried out from the first week of August through the second week of September, with one or two harvests per week. Plants were grown following the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Production Recommendations Guide, and received weekly fertilization through drip tape and weekly preventive fungicide sprays.
Figure 2 shows the cumulative yield across all varieties tested, with the current standards for Southern Maryland highlighted in orange. Several varieties tested outperformed both standard varieties, and among them only Grand Marshall is currently recommended for commercial production in MD. Other parameters measured include fruit size, fruit quality, and plant growth and vigor. Additional results from the initial year of the study will be made available at local Extension vegetable production meetings, and a full report will be available after next year’s field season
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Figure 2. Average total yield of the 13 tomato varieties tested at the CMREC site in 2021. Varieties highlighted in orange are current standards for mid-summer field production in Southern Maryland.
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This project is planned to be repeated again next season, and we will again be recruiting local farmers to grow these different varieties on-farm for evaluation. We are interested not only in objective measures of plant performance like yield, fruit size, and plant vigor, but also in the opinions of local farmers on how these varieties perform compared to some of the typical varieties planted for mid-season production. Extension will provide transplants of each variety free of cost to participants, and tomatoes are to be grown, harvested, and sold according to your typical production practice; no special protocol needs to be followed. We would only ask participants to fill out a survey questionnaire on the quality of each variety, and allow us to rate the plants at one point during the summer. If you are interested in participating in the 2022 trial, contact Alan Leslie at (301) 539-3055 or aleslie@umd.edu. |
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IMPORTANT AG TRAINING DATES COMING UP! |
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December 7, 2021 - Calvert County Pesticide Recertification Class
Pesticide private applicator credits
Calvert County Extension Office | Prince Frederick, MD
6:00 - 8:00 PM | FREE (registration required)
December 8, 2021 - Charles County Pesticide Recertification Class
Pesticide private applicator credits
Charles County Extension Office | Bel Alton, MD
6:00 - 8:00 PM | FREE (registration required)
December 10, 2021 - Loveville Produce Auction Annual Buyers/Growers Meeting
Pesticide private applicator and nutrient management voucher credits
Dove Point Variety Store | Loveville, MD
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM | FREE (registration not required)
January 18, 2022 - Southern Maryland Hay and Pasture Conference
Pesticide private applicator and nutrient management voucher credits
Calvert County Fairgrounds
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Cost TBA
Call St. Mary’s Extension for details 301-475-4484
February 1, 2022 - Charles County Nutrient Management Voucher Training
Nutrient management voucher credits
Charles County Extension Office | Bel Alton, MD
6:00 - 8:00 PM | FREE (registration required)
February 2, 2022 - Calvert County Nutrient Management Voucher Training
Nutrient management voucher credits
Calvert County Extension Office | Prince Frederick, MD
6:00 - 8:00 PM | FREE (registration required)
February 8, 2022 - Virtual Vegetable Production Meeting
Pesticide private applicator and nutrient management voucher credits
4:00 - 8:30 PM | FREE (registration required)
February 10, 2022 - Southern Maryland Fruit and Vegetable Meeting
Pesticide private applicator and nutrient management voucher credits
Baden Fire Department | Brandywine, MD
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | $15
Questions on any of the classes, call the extension office at 301-934-5403.
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Dr. Alan Leslie
Extension Educator
Agriculture and Food Systems
aleslie@umd.edu
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Become a Charles County Master Gardener!
Applications are being accepted for the upcoming Master Gardener Basic Training Course. Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who provide the community with information on safe, effective, and sustainable horticulture practices. The program has six core areas of focus: Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinic, Bay-Wise, Composting, Grow It Eat It, Native Plants, and Pollinators. Education is conducted through community outreach events, presentations, demonstration gardens, and youth programs. Some of our Charles County projects include Who Polluted the Potomac?, Southern Maryland Food Bank, Melwood Recreation Center, and our Extension Office demonstration garden.
To become a master gardener, individuals must complete and pass the basic training course then complete 40 hours of volunteer service within a year of finishing the course. Each year thereafter, volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 20 service hours and 10 hours of continuing education.
The training course will run from February 2 through May 4, 2022. Classes will be held virtually through Zoom on Wednesdays, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. In-person activities will be scheduled on Saturdays. The cost is $180.00 which includes the master gardener handbook and other materials. The course is open to county residents 18 years and older. If you are interested in signing up, please complete this Google form by Monday, November 29.
Anyone with an interest in the environment, community engagement, and volunteer service is encouraged to apply! 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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Kaitlyn Baligush
Charles County Master Gardener Coordinator
kbaligus@umd.edu
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Amy Lang
4-H Youth Development Educator
amlang@umd.edu
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Many 4-H professionals are in Memphis, Tennessee, this week attending the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals Conference. We gather each year to learn and grow together so that we can continue the important work of helping youth thrive.
This year, a notable theme of the conference is encapsulated by the graphic below. We are here focusing on developing tools and practices to ensure that all 4-H programming is grounded in the strong, healthy soil of developmental context.
Years of research tell us that certain contexts are critical in a well-designed youth development program. We will spend the week together reflecting and planning with this mindset – always with the goal to help youth participating in our programs to grow, thrive, and blossom.
We are anxious to share our new learning with you when we return. As always, thank you for your ongoing support of this amazing program. We are so fortunate to work with each and every one of you.
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4-HTrunk or Treat Time!
Jeanne Williams
Charles County 4-H Program Assistant,
Shooting Sports Coordinator
jeanneh@umd.edu
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On October 22, Charles County 4-H hosted a program-wide Trunk or Treat event for all
4-H'ers and their families. About 53 members came and joined in the fun. Volunteers from all of the clubs gathered to decorate their trunks, tables, or tents.
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Some older 4-H members also came to make it fun for all of the younger members. This event was a way for the members to see each other after the Fair and enjoy time together. Next year we hope to expand our outreach to include everyone in the community! |
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A huge “THANK YOU” to the
Charles County Fair, Inc.
for letting us use the Fairgrounds!
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Seasons Eating: Holiday Mash-up
Looking to mix up some holiday and fall flavors in different dishes?
Try out these seasonal-inspired ideas for a little twist.
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A great way to use up leftover pumpkin. Try whole wheat flour for some added fiber!
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Sneak some sweet fall veggies into these deliciously moist cookies that go well as a snack or a breakfast treat!
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Baked Apples and Sweet Potatoes This recipe works just as well in a more basic form, without the pineapple and sugar. Turn it into a savory treat by simply roasting the apples and sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and oil. . |
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Jessica Conjour, MPH
Project Leader and Nutrition Educator
Maryland SNAP-Ed
jconjour@umd.edu
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Family and Consumer Sciences |
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Kids and Money!
Patricia Maynard
FCS Educator-Financial Wellness
pmaynard@umd.edu
We live in a consumer-oriented society where money is an essential part of our daily lives. Our kids are constantly exposed to advertisements encouraging them to buy, buy, buy. They are being marketed to. Once they leave high school, young adults are often flooded with credit card offers. Yet, most lack a basic understanding of personal finance. Some will pile up thousands of dollars in credit card debt.
Learning about financial matters at all ages and stages in life normalizes the subject, allowing for good habits to be formed, mistakes to be made, and lessons to be learned. This is why talking with youth about money is so important.
As a parent or guardian, you have the opportunity to educate your children about smart money management. Understanding the basics will help them to become financially self-sufficient, with the knowledge to take advantage of financial opportunities. Teaching your kids to develop a healthy relationship with money can have a positive, lifelong impact.
You can help them to build healthy, lifelong financial habits just by talking about money! Share your thoughts with them about how you make your daily spending and saving decisions. Kids want to learn! Most are interested in money and seem to recognize money management as an important step toward maturity and independence. Talking about money with them and teaching them about personal finance will let them know that you recognize they’re on the road to becoming responsible young adults.
Gradually giving them more financial responsibility, they’ll gain experience in planning, making choices, and learning to live independently. They will learn that financial wellness is taking control of your money so it doesn’t control you. It’s never too early to begin teaching your children the basics of good money management.
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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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