Somerset County

Welcome to the University of Maryland Extension (UME) - Somerset County, which is part of a statewide educational organization funded by federal, state, and local governments. Our mission is to support Maryland's agricultural industry; protect its valuable natural resources; enhance the well-being of families and individuals, both young and old; and foster the development of strong, stable communities.

The UME network of local or regional offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes. UME has field offices in all twenty-three Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

This mission is accomplished by faculty and staff within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Maryland, College Park through the discovery, integration, dissemination, and application of research based knowledge in the agricultural, human, and life sciences.

The Somerset 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:

4-H and Youth
Agriculture
Food and Nutrition
Home Gardening
Health & Wellness
Money

Major Update Regarding Reinstatement of UMD Plan-writing Services!

University of Maryland Extension (UME) has launched an enhanced nutrient management planning process designed to adapt to modern farming practices and operations that better align with Maryland’s agricultural regulations and environmental goals. Moving forward, UME will now administer and coordinate statewide nutrient management planning following the finalization of the agreement between the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) and the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Please contact the local Somerset County Extension office for additional information - 410.651.1350.

University of Maryland Extension Leads the Next Generation of the Statewide Nutrient Management Program...to read more click here.

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