Updated: March 29, 2021
Helping Your Child Become Money Smart (FS-962)
Children, teens, and young adults learn their money management skills from a variety of sources, such as school, media, and peers. But parents have the greatest influence on their children’s financial decisions. In fact, 56 percent of young adults say they rely on their parents for financial guidance. Money management must be learned and practiced. It’s important for children to learn about the value of money before they actually have any. Start early in your child’s life to instill habits and build on them as your child grows and learns.
Updated: January 12, 2021
High Tunnel Production: The Basics for Success and Three Case Studies (FS-957)
This publication summarizes a project that took place in the Mid-Atlantic region, but high tunnels can be successfully used in a wide variety of climates and locations. They are especially profitable when located close to good markets, such as urban and peri-urban areas.
Updated: January 9, 2021
Fall Soil Nitrate Test (FSNT) (EBR-15)
Recent research has demonstrated that winter wheat and barley grain yields and economic return to fertilizer applications are not reliably improved by a fall nitrogen application when an adequate amount of nitrate already exists in the soil. Regulations effective October 2012 require that farmers who plant wheat and barley for grain production must test for soil nitrate concentration before they may apply nitrogen in fall.
Updated: January 8, 2021
Directory of Maryland Firewood Dealers (FS-941)
This directory was developed from a January 2013 survey of firewood dealers that serve Maryland residents. No claims are made regarding the service or products provided. To avoid the spread of pests, decrease the environmental impact, and save money on delivery, it is best to buy firewood locally. We hope you will find the list below helpful as you look for a trustworthy dealer in your area. Firewood must be sold by the cord or by fraction of the cord as regulated by the Maryland Department of Weights and Measures. Beware of scammers – a true cord is 4’ x 4’ x 8’ when stacked.
Updated: January 7, 2021
Clickers: Voice with Anonymity -- Implications for Research (EBR-16)
Clickers are a relatively new technology, particularly within the realm of Cooperative Extension, community groups and university classrooms. Officially known as “audience response systems,” these handheld devices are linked to Turning Point software that allows an audience to “click” an answer to a particular question. All participants’ answers are displayed on the screen for everyone to view. Beyond the advantage of audience viewing and anonymous polling, this technique preserves the responses as research data for analysis with additional software.
Updated: January 6, 2021
Budgeting to Acquire Savings: A 3-Step Approach for Community Educators to Teach Limited Income Consumers (FS-958)
This publication revisits traditional household budgeting discussions in economics textbooks during 1970 and 1980; notably, Paul Samuelson (1976) to derive a basic framework, a 3-step approach for community educators to teach limited income consumers how to budget their incomes. This basic framework construes budgeting in a narrow sense that enable limited income consumers to Estimate, Evaluate and Allocate income to goods and services with the intention to acquire savings.
Updated: October 22, 2024
Black Vine Weevil-Controlling a Major Nursery and Landscape Pest (FS-805)
The black vine weevil is a widespread, entrenched pest in many nurseries in Maryland. Once it is introduced into a production nursery, BVW is extremely difficult to eliminate. While foliar damage caused by adult weevils is a cosmetic concern, larvae of the black vine weevil cause serious root injury and girdling of azaleas, rhododendrons, yews, and many conifers.
Updated: January 5, 2021
Best Management Practices for Installing and Firing Outdoor Wood Boilers (FS-953)
Outdoor wood boilers, known technically as hydronic heaters, can be found across much of rural America. They are popular among the wood burning community because they provide a way to heat with wood while keeping dirt and ash out of the home. Although air quality problems can arise with outdoor wood boilers, most of these problems can be minimized or avoided if the best management practices outlined in this factsheet are followed. These practices will decrease the amount of firewood utilized thereby increasing the economic advantage of wood energy and minimizing its environmental impact.
Updated: December 10, 2024
Agricultural Leasing in Maryland (FS-971)
As we approach the end of the year, many farmers and their landlords will be making decisions on renewing land leases. Should the rent be increased? Should additional terms be included? As you begin these discussions, farmers and landlords should consider reviewing Agricultural Leasing in Maryland. The booklet is full of helpful tips and things both parties should consider when leasing land. The booklet also contains form leases that can be used for both parties to begin to develop their own leases.
Think your current rental rate is too low or too high? Need help in coming up with a fair rental rate? Then check out Aglease101.org (http://aglease101.org/), a product of the North Central Farm Management Extension Committee. This site provides worksheets and other helpful documents to help landlords and farmers develop rental rates that work for them.
Think your current rental rate is too low or too high? Need help in coming up with a fair rental rate? Then check out Aglease101.org (http://aglease101.org/), a product of the North Central Farm Management Extension Committee. This site provides worksheets and other helpful documents to help landlords and farmers develop rental rates that work for them. Author: Paul Goeringer; Title: Agricultural Leasing in Maryland (FS-971)
Updated: May 13, 2021
Adoption of Household Stormwater Best Management Practices
This report summarizes the findings of a household survey conducted by the University of Maryland (UMD) regarding the adoption of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), including rain gardens, rain barrels, low fertilizer lawn care, and conservation landscaping.