This year's theme is "Harvesting Partnerships: Connecting Agriculture, Business, and Community". The conversation will explore how agriculture strengthens food security, supports the local economy, and improves quality of life.

Individual tickets to the event are $10.

Sponsorship for the event is $150 and includes 2 tickets to the event and we will recognize you in the program. If you would like, you may bring a door prize with your name on it.

The morning of the breakfast, we will be accepting monetary donations for the Maryland Food Bank - Eastern Shore.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Caroline Welch at University of Maryland Extension - Queen Anne's County at 410-758-0166 or cwelch13@umd.edu by October 30, 2026

Dining with Diabetes is a diabetes education program for adults with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families. The Dining with Diabetes program is offered as a series and teaches healthy meal planning and other self-management skills. The program series includes four weekly classes and one follow up class after three months. Each in-person session includes diabetes education and food tastings.
 

This program is led by Registered Dietitians and trained University of Maryland Extension Educators in consultation with Registered Dietitians.
 

*If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Carrie Sorenson at 301-226-7527 or cjrsoren@umd.edu no later than 2 weeks prior to event.

Salisbury, MD – The Wicomico Extension Office is cracking open a new tradition this Fall with its First Annual Nutterfest. The free celebration will be held Saturday November 7th at the Extension Office. Residents and visitors are invited to come “get a little nutty” and join our faculty and staff in learning more about Extension.

“There is so much happening at the Wicomico Extension Office, and we’d love for more people in our community to come in and see what we have to offer,” says Area Extension Director Nicole Walker. “Whether you’re interested in gardening, agriculture, nutrition and healthy living, or opportunities for young people through 4-H, there really is something here for everyone.”

Extension Agents welcome the community to come out and share some pecan crafts, food demos, and even tree planting. Nutty trivia and local entertainment will be provided, food will be available for sale from a local food vendor.

The name “Nutterfest” came about because of the community’s love of the bountiful pecan trees on the property. 

“Gathering pecans from the trees on our property has become a tradition that many people in our community look forward to each year, and we’re excited to celebrate that tradition with Nutterfest,” explains Walker. “We hope you’ll come out, enjoy everything pecan, and help us celebrate something that has become such a special part of this property and our community.” 

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. As the name suggests, tree nuts will be present at the event. Attendees with nut allergies are encouraged to take appropriate precautions. Nutterfest will run from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. rain or shine at the Extension Office at 28647 Old Quantico Rd in Salisbury. For more information call 410.749.6141 or email:dlewis97@umd.edu.

Dining with Diabetes is a diabetes education program for adults with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families. Dining with Diabetes teaches healthy meal planning and other self-management skills.  The Dining with Diabetes program is offered as a series of four weekly classes and one follow-up class after three months.  Each in-person session includes diabetes education and food tastings.

Join UME Faculty for this Grow It Eat It Preserve It workshops at the Allegany County Library System locations. Learn canning, drying, and freezing basics; Hands-on, practical food preservation skills; Accessible and practical sessions for
beginners and experienced learners alike. 

Monday, Aug. 10 from 2:00 PM-4:30 PM - LaVale Library
Friday, Aug. 14 from 11:15 AM-1:45 PM - Westernport Library @121 Main
Friday, Aug. 21 from 9:30 AM-12:00 PM - Frostburg Library
Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM - George’s Creek Library

More information and registration should be completed at the Allegany County Library System website calendar or by calling your local library branch. https://www.alleganycountylibrary.info/contact-us/

Calendar and Registration Links: https://allegany.librarymarket.com/events/month?keywords=Grow%20It%2C%20Eat%20It%2C%20Preserve%20It
 

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a lightly fizzy, fermented tea made with tea, sugar, and a live culture known as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). The fermentation process creates a refreshing beverage that contains beneficial organic acids and live cultures.

During this class, you'll learn the science behind fermentation, proper brewing techniques, essential food safety practices, and how to confidently brew your own kombucha at home. Best of all, you'll leave with your very own Kombucha Brewing Kit so you can begin brewing right away! Come sip, learn, and ferment with us—we look forward to seeing you!

This event will be held in person and online via Zoom. Be sure to select the appropriate ticket!

Food Safety: Capture the Flavor Healthy Cooking with Herbs and Spices

Join us for a fun and informative online event where we'll explore the world of healthy cooking with herbs and spices! Learn how to enhance the flavor of your dishes while keeping them safe to eat. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, there's something for everyone in this session. Healthy Cooking using culinary herbs and spices!

September is Food Safety Awareness Month ! We Welcome you to our online event on Food Safety: Fall Food Safety, Nutrition and Wellness Tips! Join us on Thursday, September 3rd at 11:30 AM EDT to learn about how to keep your food safe and healthy this fall season. Our experts will share nutrition and wellness tips to help you make the most of your meals. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and improve your well-being. Register now and get ready to dive into the world of food safety!

Growing your own food is one of the simplest ways to improve both nutrition and overall wellness. When you combine gardening with healthy eating, you’re not just growing plants— you’re growing access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods that can support your daily meals in a powerful way.

Fresh vegetables like spring salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint, onions, squash, jalapeños, and spinach are easy to grow in small garden spaces, raised beds, or even containers. These foods don’t require complicated setups—just sunlight, good soil, water, and a little consistency.

Once harvested, they can be used immediately in everyday meals. Imagine adding crisp cucumbers and tomatoes to a fresh side salad, mixing spinach into smoothies or sautéed dishes, or using fresh parsley and mint to brighten flavor without extra salt. Even onions, squash, and jalapeños can easily move from garden to skillet, making meals more flavorful and nutrient dense. Gardening also encourages better eating habits. When healthy food is visible, fresh, and accessible, it becomes easier to include it in daily routines—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a practical way to support wellness, reduce processed foods, and reconnect with what we eat.

Food as Medicine

This Food as Medicine session explores the intersection of nutrition science, functional foods, and seasonal dietary strategies to support health, prevent chronic disease, and address emerging public health priorities. Designed for faculty, practitioners, and health-focused educators, this session integrates current research with practical applications for individual and community wellness.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Understand Seasonal and Functional Foods: Examine the benefits of spring-specific foods, including their nutrient density, phytonutrient content, and role in supporting detoxification, immunity, and cellular health.
2. Explore Superfoods and Chronic Disease Prevention: Identify evidence-based superfoods and their mechanisms for addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic health conditions.
3. Integrate Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Principles: Review the latest Dietary Guidelines, emphasizing the 7 core nutrients for health, nutrient density, and strategies to meet caloric needs while managing chronic disease.
4. Develop Practical Meal Planning Skills: Learn to plan balanced meals using pantry staples, seasonal produce, and nutrient-dense ingredients to enhance health and food security.
5. Address Food Safety and Insecurity: Examine strategies for maintaining food safety, reducing waste, and supporting populations experiencing limited access to nutritious foods.