Wicomico County

Our Vision:  University of Maryland is the preeminent Extension organization in the nation by providing the residents of Maryland with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research that addresses their needs.

Our Mission:  To enhance the quality of life for people and communities by disseminating unbiased, research-based, educational information.

Who we are... Extension is a national partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state land-grant universities, and county government. In Maryland, Extension comprises the off-campus educational arm of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Maryland, College Park. As faculty members of the university, county Extension agents and educators teach residents research-based information concerning agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development in their communities.

University of Maryland Extension has continued to provide science-based solutions for over 100 years and our goals have never wavered. We are passionate about building healthier families, homes, and communities, improving our agricultural production systems, instilling valuable life skills in our youth, and creating a sustainable environment and Chesapeake Bay.

The Wicomico County UME faculty and staff provide a broad range of outreach through workshops, seminars, classes, clinics, newsletters, consultations, and media efforts related to the following topics:   

  • 4H Youth

    4-H & Youth

    Khadidra Washington, PhD, 4-H Educator
    kwashin7@umd.edu
    301.226.7720

    Melissa Esley-Collins, 4-H Program Assistant
    mesleyco@umd.edu
    301.226.7719

  • Agriculture, Farming

    Agriculture

    Haley Sater, PhD, AG Educator
    hsater@umd.edu
    301.226.7718

  • Master Gardening

    Home Gardening

    Ginny Rosenkranz, Horticulture Educator & Master Gardener Coordinator
    rosnkrnz@umd.edu 
    301.226.7715

  • Food, Nutrition

    SNAP-ED

    Lauren Holfeld, SNAP-ED Educator
    lholfeld@umd.edu
    301.226.7716

  • Sliced squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and onion in an iron skillet.

    Health & Wellness

    Lynn Matava, FCS Educator
    lmatava@umd.edu 
    301.226.7713

Aquilegia canadensis” Corbett” 

Plant of the week... 

...is a compact native plant commonly known as Columbine that grows only 9-12 inches tall, thrives in light to moderate shade, preferring afternoon shade.  ‘Corbett’ prefers organically rich, moist soils but can thrive in a wide range of soil types if there is good drainage. Like all columbines, they have arching stems holding bell-shaped flowers with spurs that seem to rocket the plants forward. And like all Columbine, Corbett’ self-seeds profusely to create a small pocket meadow of small nodding yellow Columbine. These tiny but beautiful flowers bloom from April to May and attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.   The Columbine leaves are medium green and seem delicate as each leaf is made up of leaflet, and each leaflet is also divided into 3 more leaflets, creating 9 tender leaflets. This composition of the leaflets creates a fern-like appearance, fitting well into the woodland landscapes.  Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 3-8, and are tolerant of rabbit and deer browsing, drought and dry soils for short periods of time. ‘Corbette’ has excellent resistance to leaf miner, keeping the foliage looking lovely longer and healthier.  These native plants live for 3-5 years before dying out, but the seedlings often make it look like the plants thrive forever.  Plants can be planted as companions to many spring bulbs that bloom at the edges of the woods or in woodland gardens, hummingbird gardens, cottage gardens and naturalized areas. 

Ginny Rosenkranz
  • Master Gardening
  • Master Gardening

Free Internet Training

Marylanders Online offers FREE internet training and support to help you learn to use the internet. Call the Marylanders Online Call Center to build your internet skills and online confidence at your own pace.

Sign up today. 1-866-206-8467. Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, marylandersonline@umd.edu.

If you wish to speak with the Lower Shore Tech Educator, contact Keri Grant, 240-758-4533; kgrant16@umd.edu.

Agriculture in Wicomico County