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

Ulmus parvifolia Allee

Plant of the week... or Lacebark Elm or Chinese elm is a beautiful medium sized tree that has a vase shaped growing habit.  Trees grow 60-70 feet tall and 35-55 feet wide, thriving in full sun to part shade and rich, moist organic well drained soil, but it can adapt to many different soils and dry or wet sites.  Lace Bark Elm has narrow 3-inch-long dark green shiny leaves with a toothed margin that in the autumn can turn to shades of yellows or purple reds.  They also are asymmetrical with parallel veins. The flowers are small, reddish green blooming in late summer that mature into single seed samaras that look like a flattened circular papery wing. The bark is the true beauty of this tree as it exfoliates in lacy flakes to reveal patches of cinnamon, cream, brown, gray, olive and orange.  Lacebark elms are resistant to Dutch Elms disease, with moderate to tolerance salt air and air pollution.   Although it resists Japanese beetles and elm leaf beetles, and leaf scorch, it is susceptible to borers, caterpillars, leaf miner and scale.  The plant also has a very low wind resistance and doesn’t do well in very windy areas, and the number of seeds can become problematic weeds. 

Ginny Rosenkranz
  • Master Gardening

    tree

  • Master Gardening

    leaves

  • Master Gardening

    trunk

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