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

Symphyotrichum leave

Plant of the week...or Smooth aster is a native herbaceous perennial that thrives in full sun with well drained soils.  Plants will grow 2-4 feet tall, spread 1-2 feet wide and will be covered with ½ to 1 inch daisy like lavender blue flowers from September to late frost.  The colorful 15-30 ray flowers attract the pollinators and surround a bright yellow center disk of fertile florets.  The green 1-3 inch long leaves attach themselves in an alternate fashion on the round green stems, often partially encircling the stems.   The lance to spoon shaped leaves have an entire margin and grow larger at the base of the plants and grow smaller and closer together going up the stems.  Plants are cold tolerant from USDA zones 4-8 and are the host plant the Pearl Crescent butterfly larva.  The large profusion of flowers supports many pollinators including 7 specialized bees, honey bees and butterflies.  In late October to November the flowers mature into dry, 1 seeded fruit that are tipped with red bristles, and are feasted on by many native songbirds and small mammals.  What isn’t eaten can produces many new plants around the mother plant.   Plants once established are drought tolerant, and although some sources say the plants are not browsed by deer and rabbits other sources state that it depends on the surrounding plant populations and the number of deer in the area. Smooth asters can be planted in cottage, native, pollinator or wildflower gardens or in perennial borders.  There are no serious pests.

Ginny Rosenkranz
  • Master Gardening
  • Master Gardening

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