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

    4-H & Youth

    Melissa Esley-Collins, 4-H Program Assistant
    mesleyco@umd.edu
    301.226.7719

  • Agriculture, Farming

    Agriculture

    Agriculture

    Haley Sater, PhD, AG Educator
    hsater@umd.edu
    301.226.7718

  • Master Gardening

    Home Gardening

    Home Gardening

    Ginny Rosenkranz, Horticulture Educator & Master Gardener Coordinator
    rosnkrnz@umd.edu 
    301.226.7715

  • Food, Nutrition

    SNAP-ED

    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

    Health & Wellness

    Lynn Matava, FCS Educator
    lmatava@umd.edu 
    301.226.7713

Eutrochium dubium     

Plant of the week... 

...or ‘Baby Joe’ is also known as coastal plain Joe Pye is a smaller edition of Joe Pye Weed, only growing in clumps 2’ - 3’ tall and 1’- 2’ wide.  The plants prefer to grow in full sun to partial afternoon sun and thrive in moist, organically rich soils.  ‘Baby Joe’ has an upright compact habit with strong upright strong, purple spotted unbranched hollow stems.  Large domes of tiny bright purple disk flowers grow together, blooming from July to September, attracting butterflies and other pollinators for their nectar. The disk flowers mature into buff colored seed heads which stay on the stems over the winter attracting some native birds to feed on the seeds during the winter months.  These plants are patented and do not grow true from seeds. The deep green 6-inch-long leaves are coarsely toothed and are attached to the strong stems in a whorled fashion.  The small size of the plants making them a perfect fit to small gardens, mixed borders, cottage gardens, rain gardens and containers, making sure that the soil is always kept moist. There are no serious pests, and ‘Baby Joe’ has good resistance to powdery mildew.   Plants are tolerant on clay and wet soils and light deer browsing. 

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