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

Magnolia grandiflora

Plant of the week...or Southern Magnolia can grow 60-80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide, which is often too large a plant for many landscapes. Fortunately, there is a wonderful dwarf cultivar Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ that grows 15-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. ‘Little Gem’ thrives in full sun to part afternoon shade and prefers to grow in organically rich, moist, well drained soils. Like many of the Magnolia grandiflora cultivars, ‘Little Gem’ is moderately salt tolerant, growing comfortably near the ocean and tidal rivers and near roads that get salted during snowy weather. Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 7-8 and only slightly tolerant of urban pollutions. Plants are upright multi-stemmed dense pyramidal evergreens with glossy dark green leaves that are bronze brown on the underside. The fragrant 3–6-inch waxy white flowers grow at the tips of the branches spreading out and blooming from spring into the late summer. Magnolias are pollenated by beetles who were around before bees were, so the petals are thick enough to handle the weight of the larger pollinators. The light lemony scented flowers mature into cone like spherical fruiting clusters in the autumn. When the fruiting clusters mature, they release individual red- rose colored seeds that are suspended on slender threads. ‘Little Gem’ fits into small landscapes and courtyards as a specimen, and can also be used in a tapestry hedge or as a screen. The bright red seeds are enjoyed by native birds in the autumn into winter. Insect and disease pests can include scale and deer browsing. Although the leaves are evergreen, they do fall in the early spring when the new foliage emerges. Th leaves can be left as a mulch or removed if necessary. Pruning such be accomplished in spring or early summer to allow the plants to heal the wound while actively growing.

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