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

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

Extension Advisory Committee

Tiffany Handy Farmer, Community Member
Corine Pugh Farmer, Community Member
Jamie Bradshaw Somerset County Library
Adrianna Warfield Somerset County Library
Michael King Sr. Farmer, Community Member
Larry Thomas  Farmer, Communtiy Member
Karen Taylor Farmer, Community Member
Contact somersetcountyeac@gmail.com