University of Maryland Extension

Our UME Faculty have been at Back To School events throughout the Western Maryland Region. In the photo below, Dr. Jesse M. Ketterman, an FCS Faculty Member, is at a recent Back To School event. These events provide opportunities to share financial resources with adults while engaging youth in financial literacy. Often, Dr. Ketterman will revisit the students in the classroom for lessons and finance-related educational games. Financial literacy is for all ages. For parents and caregivers looking for resources to use at home, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to check out the Money as You Grow page for various money-related, age-appropriate activities.

Plan to attend one or all of the upcoming health insurance literacy workshops this fall on Tuesdays: October 8, 15, 22, 29, and November 14. Health insurance is confusing, but the Smart Choice / Smart Use Health Insurance™ program can help. We'll cover everything you need to know about insurance, including:

• How do you select a health insurance plan that works for you and your family?
• What is Medicare, and what should you know about health care as you age?
• What actions can you take to get the most out of your health insurance?
• How can you understand healthcare costs and estimate how much you must pay for care?

More information and registration can be found HERE. The SMART CHOICE/SMART USE modules provide resources to help consumers select and use health insurance. There are tools to view, download, or print.

We have also included a link to the timely Maryland State Retiree—Prescription Benefit Change Information document. The document provides details and information so that you can make informed decisions and be prepared for changes that go into effect on January 1, 2025, for Maryland State Retirees.

Governor Wes Moore has declared September 30 – October 4, 2024, Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week (HGSLW). Now in its 17th year, this promotion encourages Maryland schools to serve local food in lunches to show students where their food comes from and introduce them to fresh, nutritious products made right here in Maryland.

All Allegany County Public Schools will feature locally grown apples from Spring Valley Farms from Romney, West Virginia, thanks to the Food Service Director, Todd Lutton. Our SNAP-ED Team will conduct programming in collaborating school cafeterias throughout the week. Belair, Northeast, and Georges' Creek Elementary will hold cafeteria events featuring a "To the Core" challenge, encouraging students to eat the entire apple because of the added nutritional value. Students will enjoy "Apple Trivia" and other activities promoting health and wellness. Georges' Creek Elementary students will also participate in a special "salad tasting" featuring lettuces from the Georges' Creek hydroponic towers and kale, carrots, and tomatoes from their schools' raised bed gardens. The Georges' Creek 4-H club will help to prepare and serve the salad to the student body during the HGSLW event.

The Maryland 4-H Environmental Education and Camping Center in Western Maryland is a wonderful location for Allegany County 5th graders to learn more about nature, environment, and our unique and beautiful western Maryland ecosystem!

Sarah Llewellyn, Master Gardener Coordinator from Allegany County UME, is leading hikes and lessons on using microscopes, water quality, and the importance of learning about and respecting our watersheds by making good stewardship choices. Ashley Bodkins, Master Gardener Coordinator from Garrett County UME, supports Sarah's work at outdoor school as well and we love the collaborative work that our educators share together!

For several months, our 4-H Clubs have been serving the community and sharing the great things about 4-H! This is how our 4-Hers practice the part of the 4-H Pledge that says, "...my hands to larger service...for my club, my community, my country, and my world." Look at the many ways our Allegany County 4-H Clubs have been making a difference in their community!

• The High Rock 4-H Club Bake Sale and Food Drive will benefit the Rawlings Community Pantry at the Rawlings Fire Department. This pantry was built earlier this year as part of Lawson Ritchie's Diamond Clover Level 6 project, and this event will help keep it stocked.
• In September, the Frostburg Rise and Shine 4-H Club sponsored the Willy Wonka movie at the Palace Theater in Frostburg. The kids had a great time hosting the event, handing out chocolate, and sharing information about the club before enjoying the film together.
• The Frostburg Rise and Shine 4-H Club volunteered during Frostburg's inaugural Pumpkinfest by assisting with the mini pumpkin bowling activity. It was a great way to share 4-H and provide a fun activity for the community.
• Every fall, the Capering Kids 4-H Club faithfully packs up its goats and shares them with the community at the Appalachian Festival in Frostburg and Heritage Days in Cumberland. This past September was no different. They will also be heading out to Higson's Farm October Fest, where the community will have another chance to interact with the goats.
• Our Hare Raiser's 4-H Rabbit Club will also take their furry friends to interact with families at Higson's Farm October Fest. The Hare Raisers have always enjoyed serving the community by sharing their rabbits with spring and fall events.
  

Emmanuel Parish received recognition and officially became Bay-Wise certified by the University of Maryland Allegany County Master Gardeners on Sept. 17. The Bay-Wise presentation was followed by a pollinator garden seminar, taught by Sarah Llewellyn, Master Gardener Coordinator, about how people can start their own pollinator-friendly gardens.

"The pollinator garden at Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church comprises the largest space in Allegany County that is Bay-Wise certified through the University of Maryland Extension Service, said Scott Rieker, priest associate and music director at Emmanuel, who leads the garden project." - Cumberland Times News - September 10, 2024

Dealing with high blood pressure? Come join these weekly educational sessions with our UME FCS Healthy Living Educator, Lisa McCoy at Cumberland Senior Center beginning October 18th. Additional class dates will be October 25 November 14 November 22 and December 6. For more information you can check out the post on FB HERE or Please email lmccoy@umd.edu to register!

DASH-Plus is a community-based high blood pressure management program for Maryland adults developed by researchers and educators.

Now is a great time to begin planning for the 2025 growing season. Call the AC UME Office to request your nutrient management plan update this fall. Nutrient management plans can be flexible, so if you are unsure what crops you plan to grow in each field, your plan can include multiple scenarios. Fall is the perfect season to update soil samples from your fields after your crops have been harvested. Soil samples are good for up to three years. Our office can provide you with the required documents to send out your soil samples, and the Nutrient Management Advisors can answer any questions. As a reminder, be sure to take yield records throughout the harvest season.

To request a nutrient management plan update and discuss needed information for your plan, call 301-724-3320 to plan for 2025.

We are here to serve you and help answer any questions you might have related to 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture, Home Gardening, Health & Nutrition, Financial Wellness, and much more.

Dr. Jennifer Bentlejewski, WMD Area Extension Director jthorn@umd.edu

4-H Youth Development

• Michelle Harman, Educator mharman2@umd.edu
• Jessica Mellon, Educator jmellon2@umd.edu
• Sara Barnard, Program Assistant sbarnard@umd.edu

Agriculture and Food Systems / Environment and Natural Resources

• Sarah Llewellyn, Master Gardener Coordinator/ Agriculture & Food Systems Educator sllewellyn@umd.edu
• Andrea Uphold, Nutrient Management Program Coordinator auphold@umd.edu

MD - SNAP Ed

• Amanda Hawkins, Project Leader/Educator ahawkin7@umd.edu
• Shirley Guinn, Educator sguinn1@umd.edu
• Shayla Hitchens, Program Assistant sfelker@umd.edu

Family and Consumer Sciences

• Dr. Lisa McCoy, RD, FCS Educator lmccoy@umd.edu
• Dr. Jesse Ketterman, FCS Educator jketterm@umd.edu
• Shelita Jackson, Tech Extension Educator sjack111@umd.edu

Administrative Support

• Jody Parrish, Program Management Specialist jparrish@umd.edu
• Toni Richards, Administrative Assistant I tonir@umd.edu

Location: 1 Commerce Drive, Cumberland, MD 21502

Office Hours: M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm excluding holidays

Phone: 301-724-3320

Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/allegany-county/

Facebook Pages:

Agriculture in Allegany County- University of Maryland Extension NEW

Allegany County Master Gardeners

University of Maryland Extension - Allegany County 4-H

Healthy Living in Allegany County- University of Maryland Extension

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance or other legally protected class.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate any program or event, please contact our office, at least two weeks prior, at 301-724-3320.