June 23, 2020

Dear Cecil County neighbors:

Marylanders are searching for information, resources and help to better their lives and stay in business during these uncertain times, while staying at home, managing family and work. We currently are working with our county officials to plan our return to the offices in accordance with the plans set forth by the University of Maryland - College Park, our parent institution.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Maryland Extension has been serving the essential workforce, families, and youth throughout the state and we are showcasing a few innovative ways that our faculty and staff are reaching out to their communities. These programs demonstrate the breadth and diversity of our programs, and the dedication of our field agents and staff to keep providing the state with science-based solutions. 

Fair: While our Cecil County Fair is not happening this year, our 4-H youth will have a Cecil County Virtual 4-H Fair. Please check out the Facebook page to find out more information!

Cecil County Agriculture: Please check out and Like our Cecil County Agriculture Facebook page.

Agricultural Nutrient Management Program: Nutrient Management updates from the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture are here. For information on the University of Maryland Extensions nutrient management program click here.  

Cecil County Master Gardeners:  We offer timely and fascinating information at our Cecil County MG Facebook page. Like it, ask questions, and consider becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer! Also, see the Cecil Master Gardener’s Youtube page!

AGsploration and Learning from Home: Check out these learning opportunities from Maryland 4-H and especially AGsploration, developed with our own Cecil 4-H Educator, April Barczewski!

4-H Virtual Fashion Revue: Cecil County 4-Hers can still participate in this year’s Virtual Fashion Revue overseen by Vicki Stone.

FSNE: Educators work with collaborators in the community to provide timely resources for eating healthy and staying active during the pandemic. Find simple, tasty recipes and other resources for kids and adults at https://www.eatsmart.umd.edu/. The EatSmart blog has a series of timely articles on shopping, meal planning, and stretching food resources during COVID-19, and the FSNE Facebook page provides daily tips, tools, videos supporting nutrition and physical activity for families.

Aquaculture Business Planning - Matt Parker, Prince George’s Co. educator in the environment and natural resources program, produced an instructional webinar available on YouTube, assisting aquaculturists developing their business plan as part of a U.S. Aquaculture Society series.

Virtual Pasture Walks - Amanda Grev, in partnership with Extension educators in the western Maryland region, are hosting weekly pasture walks and addressing new topics every week including soil sampling, grazing management, and more for livestock owners. Follow the Maryland Forages Facebook page for ongoing updates.

Gardening Series - In Harford County, Joyce Browning is using Facebook to share Master Gardener lessons, posted daily with advice on local horticulture. Her videos can also be seen on the Home & Garden Information Center YouTube channel. 

The Garden Hoes Podcast: The Garden Hoes Podcast is a monthly podcast where we help you get down and dirty in your garden, with timely gardening tips, information about native plants, and more! The Garden Hoes Podcast is brought to you by the University of Maryland Extension. Hosts are Mikaela Boley- Senior Agent Associate (Talbot County) for Horticulture, Rachel Rhodes- Agent Associate for Horticulture (Queen Anne’s County), and Emily Zobel-Senior Agent Associate for Agriculture (Dorchester County). To listen to the podcast visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/687509 or visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GardenHoesPodcast/

STEAM for Youth - 4-H educators across the state are helping kids keep in touch and keep busy. In Baltimore City, Albert Lewis is providing weekly STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & math) activities for his students, as well as fun videos on YouTube educating them on the importance of following current safety guidelines like wearing a mask. 

Farm Life - One of the Upper Shore’s own 4-H educators in Kent County, Beth Hill, made several videos on farm life and 4-H that you can find on her Facebook Page.

Healthy Home Environments - Jen Dindinger, with the Maryland SeaGrant Extension program in Dorchester County, is teaching her communities how to prepare gardens and rain barrels for the spring through YouTube videos, helping ensure less runoff to the Chesapeake Bay from urban coastal areas.

Grow It Eat It Preserve It - Donielle Axline, 4-H educator in Frederick County, offered a webinar on the basics of growing, eating, and preserving your own food, designed for elementary-aged students. 

These are only a few examples of the dynamic virtual education happening across the state as we continue to adjust to the changes associated with the stay-at-home order. We are committed to educating our communities, and assisting families and our essential workforce.

As always, find news and updates at https://extension.umd.edu/ and your local Extension personnel at https://extension.umd.edu/locations.

Stay Healthy!

Dr. Paul Rickert

Area Extension Director

Cecil, Kent, & Queen Anne’s Counties

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all.

If you need to reach out to any of the County office staff or educators, you can find their roles and emails here

Cecil                                 Kent                                 Queen Anne’s

A temporary phone number for each county office has been set up should you need to speak with someone directly.

Cecil: 443-907-7629

Kent: 410-708-7770

Queen Anne’s: 410-490-6625

Thank you for your understanding, and we are excited to continue our services in the community once the current crisis has ended. We expect to reopen offices July 27, 2020. If that changes we will update this page.

Dr. Paul R. Rickert

Area Extension Director- Upper Shore Cluster

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The University of Maryland Extension is a partnership among the United States Department of Agriculture, land-grant universities and local governments in each state. Faculty and staff of University of Maryland Extension (UME) provide research-based information, educational programs and services on a variety of subject areas. 

These areas include Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Environment & Natural Resources, Water & Chesapeake Bay, Money, Gardening, and Health & Wellness. 

There is an Extension office located in each of Maryland’s 23 counties as well as Baltimore City.  Our mission is to provide "solutions in your community."