Publications

Due to increasing stress on existing water resources, many farmers are considering alternative water sources to maintain the long-term sustainability of production. One option is recycled water, highly treated municipal wastewater that is then used for agricultural and other beneficial purposes. Farmers have expressed interest in recycled water but want to know if consumers would buy products made with it. This document is a summary of results from economics experiments on consumer willingness to pay for agricultural products made with recycled water, including how different types of information affect consumer willingness to pay for these products.

How does a 4-H youth select which livestock project to complete for their first experience? There are many considerations for children in families who have no livestock background when youth take on their first 4-H livestock project. Some of the first questions to answer before committing to a project animal include “Which species and type of project do I select?,” “Where do I find my project animals?,” “What kind of facilities do I need?,” and “How do I take care of my animals?” This factsheet will present answers to these questions.

Farmers need water to grow their crops. But what happens when the freshwater sources farmers rely on become stressed or unavailable? Learn about an innovative partnership between a farmer and a nearby wastewater treatment plant that uses water reuse to safely and efficiently grow crops on one Maryland farm.

This factsheet highlights that public speaking is one of the most common fears among adults in the United States. However, it is also considered one of the most valuable life skills that young people can acquire through their involvement in 4-H. The Maryland 4-H Public Speaking contest is an excellent opportunity for youth to hone their public speaking skills. This publication contains valuable information about the contest and includes worksheets that can assist youth in the development of their speeches. Authors: Rachel Bayer, Sara Arnold, Sheryl Bennett, and Chris Rein; Title: Public Speaking-Making a Great Speech (FS-1135).

Mindfulness Activity Guide for Adults provides guidance and encouragement to people who wish to embrace mindfulness practice in their work and personal lives. As educators, we noticed a need for resources that might help both novice and advanced mindfulness facilitators implement mindfulness activities in group settings. By using the guide, we hope the facilitator will gain confidence and feel at ease leading these practices. The guide provides in-depth instructions for adapting the surroundings, duration, participants' postures, facilitator's script, and other activity components to fit diverse environments or audiences' needs. We truly hope you find the resource useful, as it was solely created to help you create mindful moments for yourself and others you wish to help. The publication is $25 per book. If you wish to buy multiple books, make sure to enter the calculated amount (based on the quantity) in the "Amount" section of the purchase form. If you have any questions regarding the guide or purchase process, email Dhruti Patel at dhrutip@umd.edu. To purchase this instructional guide, go to https://go.umd.edu/buymindfulguide.

Japanese maple scale (JMS), (Lopholeucaspis japonica Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a prolific pest of major concern to nursery crop producers and landscape managers in MD and the eastern United States. JMS is difficult to monitor and manage due to its small size, extended crawler emergence periods, and wide host plant range. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide practitioners with host plant information that will help to improve and focus their monitoring efforts. All plants listed in this fact sheet are verified as hosts of Japanese maple scale from published literature or direct observations by the authors. This list should not be considered all inclusive. Due to the generalist feeding habits of JMS there are likely more hosts we have yet to identify including additional cultivars/hybrids. Authors: Paula M. Shrewsbury, Nancy M. Harding, Marie S. Rojas, and Stanton Gill; Title: Japanese Maple Scale Woody Ornamental Host Plants (EB-1)

Solar arrays are becoming an increasingly familiar sight all over Maryland. In 2017, for the first time, solar power in Maryland exceeded the combined electricity generation from both biomass and wind power. Agricultural landowners often decide to install solar panels to off-set their personal and business electricity usage. Solar developers also approach agricultural landowners about leasing farmland to install utility-scale solar energy generating stations (SEGS).

Maryland is considered “America in miniature.” Like many other states in the country, Maryland represents a very diverse area in terms of landscape, climate, culture and inhabitants. For decades, 4-H has been an organization that has recognized the diversity of not only Maryland but all states and has provided youth development programs that evolve to meet the needs of the ever changing society (Figure 1, Junge 2006). Although deeply rooted in an agricultural foundation, 4-H has broadened its scope in recent years to provide developmental support for youth in non-farm based rural, urban and suburban areas. Historically, these areas have been considered “underserved.” According to Junge (2000), an underserved area is one where 4-H is not currently serving the community. This could be based on demographics, geographic location or resource availability (ex. income, transportation, employment status, etc).. This publication will share strategies that can be used to create opportunities to reach underserved communities using needs based outreach, networks and partnerships.

Adventure In Science is a partnership between the University of Maryland Extension and AIS Inc. It is a science based hands-on educational program reaching about 330 youth ages 8-14 in Montgomery County. The program is provided at six locations managed by organizational leaders and instructors. Parents and other volunteers help teach an interactive 2-3 hours sessions every Saturday for 18 weeks.

Interviewing can be intimidating and stressful but teaching 4-Hers essential skills in this area will help them be successful. This publication provides youth development professionals with a resource when teaching 4-Hers about interviewing for teen leadership positions, Out of State trip interviews, and employment. Additionally, this publication can be a tool directly provided to 4-H youth who are planning to interview.