Publications

4-H STEM Adventures is a curriculum of six STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) lesson plans that teach STEM principles and 4-H life skills via a challenge to be solved using low-cost, easy-to-find materials. There are two tracks for each lesson: an open-ended exploratory option, and a step-by-step guided option. Videos introduce each challenge and provide sample solutions for viewers. These lessons are appropriate for youth ages 8-13 and can be used in the classroom, 4-H club, home, and out-of-school settings. Authors: Jessica Mellon, and Christine Allred; Title: 4-H STEM Adventures-Facilitator Guide (EC-14)

Selecting an attorney to represent you is not always an easy prospect especially if it is your first time needing legal help. You may not know how to go about finding the right attorney or what questions to ask. Does the attorney have experience handling cases like yours? Do you understand how the attorney will bill you? Are you paying a flat fee or being billed hourly? Selecting the right attorney and understanding expectations on both sides will hopefully lead to a successful attorney-client relationship. Author: Paul Goeringer; Title: Finding An Attorney for Your Case Requires Asking the Right Questions (FS-1097)

Extension Educators have been delivering research-based content to the community for over a century. These informal learning experiences for youth and adults are designed to be relevant, timely and age appropriate. Educators are considered experts in their respective content area and the community depends on their knowledge. Preparation for learning experiences is important for extension educators. The time and care that is taken align to University goals and meet intended learning objectives can make a difference in the amount of skills attained by learners. The tools presented in this document are designed to help the extension educator make written plans for single workshops, multi-session workshops, seminars, and short courses. The tools are intended to be easy to use across program areas and encourages efficient teaching. Author: Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins; Title: Planning Tools and Methods for Extension Educators (FS-1195).

Septic systems are a common tool to treat household wastewater. However many homeowners are not familiar with their system, its maintenance, and the important value it provides. This publication provides several introductory aspects of septic systems to guide homeowners in appreciating their system and the importance of maintaining it. Author: Andy Lazur; Title: Top Things to Know About Septic Systems (EBR-64)

The purpose of this fact sheet is to help wine grape growers in Maryland develop effective fungicide spray programs to manage a complex of five major fungal diseases affecting vines and fruit: powdery mildew, downy mildew, black rot, Botrytis bunch rot, and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot. The spray schedules below suggest several options for each spray but do not include all fungicides registered in Maryland for control of these diseases. Three supplemental tables are provided to further assist growers in choosing fungicides. Table 1 rates the effectiveness of all fungicides mentioned in the fact sheet against these diseases. Information on effectiveness is intended as general guidance only. Results in a given vineyard will depend on the weather, disease pressure (level of inoculum present), canopy management, age of vines, fungicide formulation and rate, and spray intervals and coverage. Table 2 lists resistance-prone fungicides by chemical class (mode of action) to help growers choose rotational partners with different modes of action fungicides mentioned in this guide. Author: Anne DeMarsay, Ph.D., The Fruit DoctorTM; Title: The New Guidelines for Developing an Effective Fungicide Spray Program for Wine Grapes in Maryland, 2012 (FS-848)

Soil samples provide information about the soil fertility status of a field, which is used to generate nutrient and lime recommendations and develop a farm's nutrient management plan. This factsheet outlines proper soil sampling techniques (how, when, why) to optimize crop production, minimize environmental degradation, and maximize farm profitability. Authors: Brian Kalmbach and Dr. Gurpal Toor; Title: Soil Sampling for Optimizing Agricultural Production in Maryland (FS-1184)

Precision agriculture allows modern producers to manage within fields rather than managing the whole field.¹‚² By integrating global positioning systems (GPS), variable rate (VR) application equipment, and geographic information systems (GIS), farmers are allowed increased efficiency. However, prior to using VR equipment, accurate maps of yield-limiting factors must be created.³,⁴,⁵5 Nutrients in any field vary due to topography, soil properties and past management (manure application patterns, crop history, etc.). To account for this variability, farmers will need more than one soil sample in each field (Figure 1a). A more intensive sampling scheme must be performed, through either grid or zone sampling. Looking to the future, on-the-go sensors, whether attached to tractors or unmanned aerial vehicles, may also increase accuracy and decrease the cost of soil sampling. Authors: Jarrod O. Miller and Craig W. Yohn; Title: Precision Soil Sampling Helps Farmers Target Nutrient Application (FS-1046)

Veterinary Science Experience is a 5-lesson program that provides participants the basic tools and information for those interested in the veterinary science field. Each lesson provides an introduction into basic animal care from small animals to livestock. The lessons can be combined into a day-long veterinary science day or broken up to provide a multi-week program. Educators of all levels can easily adapt each lesson to fit their unique needs. Authors: Becky Ridgeway, Jeanne Williams, and Bonnie Boyden. Title: Veterinary Science Experience (EC-13)

Budgeting for college students presents unique challenges due to variations of income and expense. Combining a cash flow budget with a yearlong monthly financial plan allows planning for the variations of income and expenses that college students experience. Author: Jesse M. Ketterman, Ph.D.; Title: Budgeting 101 for College Students (FS-1194)

Modern civilization is possible because people have learned how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work. There are many different forms of energy, including heat, light, motion, electrical, and chemical. One practical example of energy use within our society, includes the conversion of the chemical energy stored in coal into electrical energy that can be used in our homes, farms, and businesses. We will review the primary sources of energy and the conversions between different forms of energy, while differentiating between thermal and electric energy. Author: Drew Schiavone, Title: Energy Used in Homes, Businesses, and Farms is Typically Supplied as Heat or Electricity (EBR-63)