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.

Magnolia grandiflora

Plant of the Week...or Southern Magnolia can grow 60-80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide, which is often too large a plant for many landscapes. Fortunately, there is a wonderful dwarf cultivar Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ that grows 15-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. ‘Little Gem’ thrives in full sun to part afternoon shade and prefers to grow in organically rich, moist, well drained soils. Like many of the Magnolia grandiflora cultivars, ‘Little Gem’ is moderately salt tolerant, growing comfortably near the ocean and tidal rivers and near roads that get salted during snowy weather. Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 7-8 and only slightly tolerant of urban pollutions. Plants are upright multi-stemmed dense pyramidal evergreens with glossy dark green leaves that are bronze brown on the underside. The fragrant 3–6-inch waxy white flowers grow at the tips of the branches spreading out and blooming from spring into the late summer. Magnolias are pollenated by beetles who were around before bees were, so the petals are thick enough to handle the weight of the larger pollinators. The light lemony scented flowers mature into cone like spherical fruiting clusters in the autumn. When the fruiting clusters mature, they release individual red- rose colored seeds that are suspended on slender threads. ‘Little Gem’ fits into small landscapes and courtyards as a specimen, and can also be used in a tapestry hedge or as a screen. The bright red seeds are enjoyed by native birds in the autumn into winter. Insect and disease pests can include scale and deer browsing. Although the leaves are evergreen, they do fall in the early spring when the new foliage emerges. Th leaves can be left as a mulch or removed if necessary. Pruning such be accomplished in spring or early summer to allow the plants to heal the wound while actively growing.
Ginny Rosenkranz