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

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

  • Agriculture, Farming

    Agriculture

    Haley Sater, 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

  • Chesapeake, Tidal, Wetlands

    Sea Grant

    Jennifer Dindinger, Watershed Restoration Specialist, Sea Grant Extension
    jdinding@umd.edu
    Office: 410.228.8800

Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’

Plant of the week... is a wonderful but short lived native evergreen perennial lasting about 3 years.  It has 2 creative names, tickseed because the seed looks like a tick and mouse ear because the leaves look like they could belong to a mouse.  These beautiful plants thrive in full sun and moist but well drained soils.   They spread slowly by stolons, growing in a dense clump 6-9 inches tall and wide.  Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 4-9, and are also tolerant of both heat and humidity. The leaves are dark green 1-2 inch long, growing in a dense clump with spoon shaped basal leaves that have a smooth margin. The golden yellow star shaped flowers grow 1-3 inches across with 7-20 ray petals that are notched with 3 lobes at the end, and surround a bright yellow center disk.  Flowers can bloom from April to Jun on thin sturdy flower stalks that can grow up to 18 inches.   If flowers are deadheaded, a second set of flowers can bloom in the summer into autumn.   ‘Nana’ is the prefect size to plant in front of taller perennials in a mass or as a border.     They can also be planted as an edger along walks or paths, or in a pollinator, butterfly, or cottage garden as they attract butterflies and other pollinators.  There are no serious insect or disease problems, although ‘Nana’ is not as drought tolerant as other Coreopsis but does have resistance to pythium root rot.  Both deer and rabbits tend to leave Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’ alone. 

Ginny Rosenkranz
  • Master Gardening

    coreopsis Nana flower

  • Master Gardening

    coreopsis Nana plant

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