UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
ALLEGANY COUNTY
Our University of Maryland Extension (UME) Allegany office is located at One Commerce Drive in Cumberland and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. We provide research-based practical education in the areas of agricultural production and nutrient management, water quality, natural resources, food safety, nutrition and healthy lifestyles, youth development, volunteer development, and community engagement. For more information, contact us at 301-724-3320 or visit our UME Allegany website.
Our College Addresses Global Grand Challenges
The University of Maryland Extension's innovative programs contribute to the larger strategic initiatives of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at UMD College Park. Check out this publication which highlights our work to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. We will continue to strive to become one of the most relevant and highly- reputed agriculture and natural resource colleges in the nation.
Allegany Co. SNAP-Ed Team Celebrates Family Days at the Market
Coordinated by our Allegany County SNAP-Ed team (Mandy Hawkins, Shirley Guinn, and Shayla Hitchens) and invited special guests Dr. Jesse Ketterman (FCS), Sherry Frick (Master Gardener), and Jessica Mellon (4-H), our UME team is busy providing Story Times, crafts, STEM learning, and other activities for young people at local Farmer's Markets throughout the summer.
For more information about "Family Days at the Market", contact SNAP-Ed project leader Mandy Hawkins at 301-724-3320 or ahawkin7@umd.edu.
Photo: Dr. Jesse Ketterman at Frostburg Farmer's Market, June 2022.
Allegany County 4-H Program Pilots our first Junior Barn Committee
This year, the Allegany County 4-H program piloted its first Junior Barn Committee inviting members 11 to 18 years old to submit applications to serve. Five members were chosen and are pictured (left to right) Charles O'Boyle, Kara McCusker, Cassidy Stickel, Ben Northcraft, and Hunter Raines.
The goal of the Junior Barn Committee program is to provide leadership opportunities for young people, promote positive adult/youth mentor relationships, invite youth voice in the planning of Allegany County 4-H livestock-related activities throughout the year, welcome and assist first-time exhibitors and assist in preparing the facilities for livestock-related taggings, events, activities, and shows at the fair.
For more information about the Allegany County Junior Barn Committee program, contact 4-H educator Lacie Ashby at 301-724-3320 or lashby@umd.edu.
Photo credit: 4-H volunteer Billie Stickel
Maryland 4-H Robotics Qualifiers Dominate at Allegany County Fair
All Allegany County 4-H Robotics teams will compete in a Maryland 4-H Robotics Qualifier on July 20 during the Allegany County Fair and Ag Expo. Two teams will participate in the Maryland 4-H Robotics Engineering Challenge which uses a 12' x 12' playing field, and ten teams will participate in the Maryland 4-H LEGO Challenge which uses a 4' x 4' playing field.
Each team has built and programmed robots to travel autonomously throughout the board completing predetermined tasks. Team members will present a technical breakdown of their project to a panel of judges and explain how their robot and attachments function together to complete the challenge. A third component of the LEGO Challenge is completing a community service project based on the Maryland 4-H LEGO Challenge theme of aquaculture. Each team will give a visual presentation about their service project to the judges.
Two teams from each age category will advance to the Maryland 4-H Robotics Engineering Challenge at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, MD, held on Sunday, August 28th.
All competitions are open to the public and free of charge. For more information, contact 4-H educator Jessica Mellon at jmellon2@umd.edu or 301-724-3320.
Photo: Allegany County Robotics team competing in the 2019 Maryland State Robotics competition in Timonium, MD. Photo credit: 4-H educator Jessica Mellon
We Have Been Waiting All Year! Allegany Co. Fair and Ag Expo
It's that time of year again! The Allegany County Fair and Ag Expo will be held from July 15 to July 23, 2022, at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD! Enjoy 4-H showmanship, concessions, exhibits, rides, concerts, and so much more! This is where we shine. We'll see you there!
Where Quality is Guaranteed: Allegany County 4-H Livestock Sale
Why purchase an animal at the Allegany County 4-H Livestock Sale?
When you purchase an animal at the livestock sale, you are purchasing an animal that has been raised by local youth and processed locally according to the strictest industry standards. Our youth are trained in Maryland 4-H Animal Husbandry and Quality Assurance practices ensuring the animals are treated humanely and raised in a healthy environment. After purchase, your product is cut and packaged according to your instructions and is returned to you much faster (and therefore, much fresher) than meat that is transported in commercial trailers over long distances.
Additionally, 4-H livestock projects provide local youth the opportunity to learn livestock management including the care and feeding of healthy animals, facility and equipment maintenance, entrepreneurial skills including budgeting, record keeping, and tracking market value, and agricultural education and career opportunities.
Download our Allegany County Livestock Sale Buyers Guide here:
(This brochure is best printed on 8 1/2 x 14-inch paper - legal size)
Western Maryland Pasture Walk
Join University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and the Sines family on Thursday, August 25, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:30PM for an educational field day at Sines Family Farm in Friendsville, MD. The Sines raise registered Angus cattle and will discuss grazing management and strategies they use to get the most out of their pasture.
This event will be held on Sines Family Farm, 2336 Friendsville-Addison Road, Friendsville, MD 21531. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, visit our EVENTBRITE page. For more information, contact UME Ag Educator Jeff Semler at 301-791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu.
Photo credit: University of Maryland Extension
Free Retirement Planning Workshop with Dr. Jesse Ketterman
Dr. Jesse Ketterman will offer a free retirement planning workshop on July 19, 2022, from 5:30 to 6:30PM in the Community Room of the South Cumberland Library. Topics covered will include estimating expenses, preparing for unexpected costs, evaluating risk tolerance, and determining what factors to consider when estate planning.
This workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Ketterman at 301-724-3320 or jketterm@umd.edu.
Photo credit: Pixabay
One last picture...
Our Allegany SNAP-Ed team getting into the spirit of "Family Days at the Market"
Keeping Connected
WE ARE OPEN and available by phone, email and video conferencing. If you have questions, contact one of our experts to provide solutions.
Dr. Jennifer Bentlejewski
Area Extension Director
Western Maryland Cluster
4-H Youth and Development
Lacie Ashby
Principal Agent
Jessica Mellon
Senior Agent Associate
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sherry Frick
Senior Agent Associate
Ag Agent & Master Gardener Coordinator
Ashby Ruddle
Coordinator
Nutrient Management Program
MD - SNAP Ed
Mandy Hawkins
Project Leader
Shirley Guinn
Healthy Food Access Faculty Assistant
Shayla Hitchens
Program Assistant
Family and Consumer Sciences
Lisa McCoy, RD
Senior Agent
Dr. Jesse Ketterman
Senior Agent
Administrative Assistants
Jody Parrish
Administrative Asst ll
Joni Reed
Administrative Asst l
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.