Wicomico County

Our Vision:  University of Maryland is the preeminent Extension organization in the nation by providing the residents of Maryland with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research that addresses their needs.

Our Mission:  To enhance the quality of life for people and communities by disseminating unbiased, research-based, educational information.

Who we are... Extension is a national partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state land-grant universities, and county government. In Maryland, Extension comprises the off-campus educational arm of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Maryland, College Park. As faculty members of the university, county Extension agents and educators teach residents research-based information concerning agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development in their communities.

University of Maryland Extension has continued to provide science-based solutions for over 100 years and our goals have never wavered. We are passionate about building healthier families, homes, and communities, improving our agricultural production systems, instilling valuable life skills in our youth, and creating a sustainable environment and Chesapeake Bay.

The Wicomico 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:   

  • 4H Youth

    4-H & Youth

    Melissa Esley-Collins, 4-H Program Assistant
    mesleyco@umd.edu
    301.226.7719

  • Agriculture, Farming

    Agriculture

    Haley Sater, AG Educator
    hsater@umd.edu
    301.226.7718

  • Master Gardening

    Home Gardening

    Ginny Rosenkranz, Horticulture Educator & Master Gardener Coordinator
    rosnkrnz@umd.edu 
    301.226.7715

  • Food, Nutrition

    SNAP-ED

    Lauren Holfeld, SNAP-ED Educator
    lholfeld@umd.edu
    301.226.7716

  • Sliced squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and onion in an iron skillet.

    Health & Wellness

    Lynn Matava, FCS Educator
    lmatava@umd.edu 
    301.226.7713

Private Applicator Pesticide Recertification

The following are FREE recertification opportunities. Contact the county office to register. All meetings will be held at the county extension offices.

  • Wicomico - Monday, November 18 - 6 pm - 8 pm
  • Worcester - Monday, December 9 - 6 pm - 8 pm
  • Somerset - Tuesday, December 17 - 9 am - 11 am
  • Worcester - Monday, December 30 - 9 am - 11 am

LOWER SHORE AGRONOMY DAY

Agronomy Day is planned for January 22, 2025 at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. Nutrient Management and Pesticide credits will be available. Food will be provided!

Uniola paniculate

Plant of the week... 

...or Sea Oats, grow 4- 6 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, are warm season native perennials that thrive in full sun and are mostly found on the dunes by the sea.  These Sea Oats are slow growing with deep roots and strong horizontal rhizomes, perfect for holding the sand in the dunes of the Atlantic Ocean.  They are salt and cold tolerant from USDA zones 6-11.    Plants grow in clumps with tall arching stems that have 8-18 inch long and 1-inch-wide leaves with parallel veins and like many grasses, tapered at their tips.  Sea Oats have small white flowers in early summer that mature into oval shaped oat like tan to brown seeds that will stay on the stems through the winter months, providing nutrition to song birds and small mammals like rabbits and mice.  They have no serious insect or disease pests.

Ginny Rosenkranz
  • Master Gardening
  • Master Gardening
  • Master Gardening

Free Internet Training

Marylanders Online offers FREE internet training and support to help you learn to use the internet. Call the Marylanders Online Call Center to build your internet skills and online confidence at your own pace.

Sign up today. 1-866-206-8467. Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, marylandersonline@umd.edu.

If you wish to speak with the Lower Shore Tech Educator, contact Keri Grant, 240-758-4533; kgrant16@umd.edu.

Agriculture in Wicomico County