Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

HoCo Bee City Presents Madeline Potter, University of Maryland Extension Faculty Specialist for Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, for an interactive workshop on extending life in your green spaces by conserving beneficial insects and other wildlife through the cold winter months.

Not all animals migrate to warmer areas once the temperatures drop, some animals seek shelter in leaves and plant debris like bumble bee queens and luna moth pupae. For a biodiverse spring, learn how to create and protect overwintering habitat within your own spaces, no matter how big or small your green space might be (container and potted gardens included)!

Participants are encouraged to bring a sketch/map of their green space, including different plant species/types, structures, etc. for an opportunity to think through overwintering habitat that fits their own spaces.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this workshop, please contact Madeline Potter by email: mpotter@umd.edu or phone: (301) 226-7615 by Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. 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 any other legally protected class.

Event: How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan for Certified Consultants
Dates: September 27th and October 4th, 2024*  (*Please note: October 4th is an optional, but recommended, plan writing day.)
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Wye Research and Education Center, 124 Wye Narrows Drive, Queenstown, MD 21658
Description: This course will introduce the Maryland nutrient management planning process from beginning to end. Participants will apply that information to a real plan, written in it’s entirety, on the (optional) second day utilizing NuMan Pro 5.3 software. Newly (less than one year since certification) certified nutrient management consultants will receive 6 continuing education credits.
Who should attend: All are welcome; however, priority is given to certified consultants who intend on writing Maryland nutrient management plans.
NuMan Pro 5.3 will be utilized during this course. Participants may bring their own laptops, however, NuMan Pro 5.3 is not compatable with Mac or Chromebooks. It is not required to purchase NuMan prior to the course, however, purchase instructions will be emailed a week prior for those interested in purchasing a copy.
Cost: $30 paid as a non-refundable check covers a USB drive with course materials and lunch on days 1 and 2, due to MDA by September 23rd, 2024. Payment and lunch signup information will be sent to registrants along with separate payment information for NuMan Pro Software, which has a $75 cost.
Registration: Register at http://go.umd.edu/HTWNMPFall24 by September 20, 2024. Seating is limited. Further directions including payment specifics, will be sent via email on September 13, 2024.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kayla Griffith, kmgriffi@umd.edu or (301) 226-7439. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Kayla Griffith on or before September 13, 2024.
Online version: Will be offered at a future TBD date if there is sufficient interest. Notify Kayla Griffith at kmgriffi@umd.edu if you are interested in signing up for an online course.

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 any other legally protected class.

Join us on October 5th, 2024 for a family fun day at at the farm to see agriculture education in action! Events are geared for children and include tractor races, milking contest, feed bag toss, compost chaos, egg operation, and more! This family event is free to attend and is located at the Frederick County Farm Museum Fall Fest at Rose Hill Manor Park in Frederick, MD. We hope to see you there!

Join Dean Beyrouty for a discussion and Q&A with Lisa Munoz, Founder and President of SciComm Services, science content strategist and author of Women in Science Now.

Establishing a composting system at your house is a practical and economical way to handle your yard waste and many kitchen scraps. In Charles County, 20 percent of household waste is organic, compostable material that can be kept from the landfill. Compost improves the quality of soil in your planter boxes, garden, around trees, and your lawn — if you have these... you have a use for compost. Pre-registration required by August 24.

Charles County residents will have the opportunity to purchase a limit of two (2) barrels per Charles County household with a discount, while supplies last. Rain Barrels are 60 gallons in size and may be brown, green, gray, or terra cotta.

Residents of Queen Anne’s County are invited to attend an upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session to learn about utility-scale solar development and participate in facilitated discussions.

This session aims to educate the public on regional utility-scale solar development and provide a platform for community dialogue on various aspects of solar projects. The insights gathered from this community conversation will inform local leaders, government officials, and the research team about resident perceptions of solar development. The discussion will help shape the following:

• Community vision
• Comprehensive planning, including solar overlay maps
• Strategies for landowners to negotiate with solar developers
• Strategies for communities to negotiate with solar developers.

Your participation will help University of Maryland (UMD) Extension and public officials in understanding how to proactively engage communities in planning for solar energy land use. Recognizing that many rural landowners may be approached by developers, our goal is to enhance the solar siting process by incorporating the voices and priorities of local and county government and community members. A summary report will be provided to all participants later in the summer.

This event is organized in partnership with Queen Anne’s County Government, MDA’s Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service, UMD’s Agriculture Law and Education Initiative, and UMD Extension. UMD Extension provides Maryland residents with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research through the dissemination of unbiased research-based educational information. The upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit go.umd.edu/QASolar. Register by August 12, 2024 to secure a dinner meal and to receive a gift valued at $25 when you attend the meeting. We look forward to your participation in this important community event.

For more information, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Drew Schiavone (dschiavo@umd.edu; 301-432-2767).

An insect festival hosted by the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland. The event will feature many organizations including the UMD Insect Zoo, UME HGIC Faculty Specialist Madeline Potter with the nocturnal insects, and the Calvert County UME Master Gardeners with the garden friends & foes. Join us for a day of buggy fun as we explore and get creative with the world of insects. Enjoy activities for all ages, meet community groups who love bugs, and have fun roaming the garden, galleries, and indoor classrooms as you explore and have fun with insects! Celebrate these invertebrates and all the wonderful wildlife that depends on them.

This one-day event convenes digital inclusion leaders, practitioners, and advocates from across the state to discuss critical issues, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions for bridging the digital divide in Maryland. This year's event will offer a dynamic lineup of speakers and panel discussions, with ample networking opportunities. A special Maryland Digital Equity Awards Ceremony will also be held to recognize individuals and organizations leading the charge for digital equity in Maryland.

Registration: Open July 1-24, 2024

Register through 4-H Online. Contestants will upload photos of their entries when they register for the contest in 4-H Online. No physical pieces will be submitted.

Age Divisions (age on January 1, 2024): Junior: ages 8-10 | Intermediate: ages 11-13 | Senior: ages 14-18

Classes: Fine Arts | Photography | Visual Arts

Virtual Art Show: All exhibits will be posted via a slide show on the UMD Horse Facebook page and on the UMD Horse Extension webpage. Award winners will be recognized in the slide show.