2024 AC UME Program Highlights : simplebooklet.com

We are thrilled to unveil our 2024 UME-Allegany County Program Highlights. Our diverse array ofeducational initiatives empowers individuals to revolutionize agricultural practices and foodsystems, cultivate leadership among our youth, and support the growth of 4-H and MasterGardener volunteers. We are dedicated to enhancing health and wellness, promoting financialliteracy, and much more. Our programs tackle the most pressing challenges of our time through trusted, research-basededucation accessible to all. This mission is supported by our dedicated 4-H and Master Gardenervolunteers, who continue to be the invaluable backbone of our efforts. We appreciate our robustpartnerships with the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, USDA, and AlleganyCounty Government, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our success.As we look forward to 2025, we are eager to deliver another year of groundbreaking programsaimed at enriching lives. UME is embarking on a comprehensive strategic planning process todevelop its next roadmap for the future. Involving you is a priority as we seek to ensure that ourprograms and services reflect the needs of our communities. Please reach out with any insights orsuggestions on how we might enhance our efforts. In addition, feel free to contact me if youwould like to learn more about our Allegany County Extension Advisory Committee. Dr. Jennifer Bentlejewski Area ExtensionDirector- Western Marylandjthorn@umd.eduOur Mission Is To Serve Allegany County Jennifer BentlejewskiAdminstrative Support Staff

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4-H Youth Development PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS4-H empowers young people to learn by doing. Youthdevelop leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Children andteens explore their interests, from agriculture to scienceand technology, while focusing on communityengagement. 4-H clubs allow youth to explore topics ofinterest under the guidance of caring adults.251 youth in our county participated in 12 clubs,guided by 93 dedicated volunteers.Partnerships with schools and communityorganizations offer high-quality, short-term, andtopic-specific programs. These 6+ hours of hands-on learning introduce youth to STEM, healthyliving, and agricultural topics; 672 youthparticipated in 21 programs.At the state level, 48 youths engaged in newexperiences, met new people and challengedthemselves further. Events included publicspeaking, animal science, robotics, andleadership experiences. The Allegany County Fair & Ag Expo events allowyouth to exhibit livestock, compete in robotics,and showcase skills in indoor projects. This pastsummer, 65 4-Hers exhibited 405 animalprojects, 56 youths completed the RoboticsQualifier with 22 coaches, and 103 4-Hersentered 1,488 indoor exhibits.https://www.facebook.com/UMEAlleganyCo4H4-H BY THE NUMBERS1,439total contacts withparticipants, including251youth enrolled in ourcounty’s 4-H program 93 volunteers trained, and 930total contacts with schools and communities

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3,463 parents were reached with educationalresources such as the Eat Smart Blog. 790 educational opportunities whereeducational resources were distributed inAllegany County.  SNAP-Ed educators engaged with ourcommunity members in 875 “tasingopportunities” like this “FARM FRESH” appletasting.  136 community partners trained by ourAllegany County UME SNAP-Ed Educators usingthe Maryland Teachers Toolkit and additionalSNAP-Ed resources. SNAP-EdPROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSSNAP-ED BY THE NUMBERS190 SNAP-Ed sessions3,592total contacts withparticipants, including88 adults and 3,505 youth Our SNAP-ED team works to educate schoolcommunities on healthy living habits and tastings,including classroom lessons, parent engagement, after-school nutrition lessons, physical activity, school gardens,and working with school administrators to changepolicies to ensure a healthy learning environment.https://www.facebook.com/HealthyLivinginAlleganyCounty/Amanda Hawkins Shirley GuinnShayla Hitchens

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Agriculture & Food Systems (AgFS) &Environment Natural Resources (ENR)AGFS/ENR BY THE NUMBERS72AgFS/ENR programs1,530total contacts withparticipants,including314adults and 1,216youthPROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSThe AgFS program addresses financial managementtechniques, forest management, forage production, beefherd management, vegetable production, pesticideapplication, and nutrient management. ENR programs seekto educate and empower our citizens of all ages throughschool and community learning partnerships. MasterGardener Volunteers who combine their love of plants,people, and the natural environment to help others create a healthier world is a part of the UME ENR program area.Sarah Llewellyn23 Master Gardeners volunteered 432 hrs.,conducting in-person education activities,reaching 315 clients valued at $14,467.68 Allegany County added 3 new Bay-Wisecertified gardens - 77,915.2 total square feet. 132 resident consultations were conducted tosolve horticulture-related problems. 719 ACPS students participated in hands-oneducation on watersheds and/or native plants& pollinators.14 students at Westmar Middle School pilotedan agriculture enrichment program.In the George’s Creek area, 2 new gardenspaces were cultivated with 12 garden bedsthat provide 384 ft. of food production space.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSNUTRIENT MANAGEMENTALLEGANY COUNTYThe Agricultural Nutrient Management Program providesfarmers with annual plans to balance nutrient inputswith crop requirements while optimizing cropproduction, increasing profitability, and minimizingnutrient losses to the environment.Maryland law requires agriculturalproducers grossing at least $2,500 orfarmers with more than 8,000 lbs oflivestock to follow nutrient managementplans when applying nutrients.University of Maryland nutrientmanagement plans are written by certifiednutrient management consultants usingspecialized software.Plans include map and field information,soil analysis, manure analysis for on-farm/imported nutrient sources, animalinformation, nutrient recommendations fororganic and commercial sources, nutrientapplication requirements, record-keepingtemplates, principles of nutrientmanagement, and a guide to farming withyour nutrient management plan.NUTRIENTMANAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS 33 plans completed,including 91tracts 358field plans with 4,616total acreageAC UME NM PageAC UME NM Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/AgricultureinAlleganyCounty/

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The Health Insurance Literacy Initiative seeks to reduceconfusion and increase confidence in selecting and usinghealth insurance. The educator taught 15 workshops,reaching 122 participants.Farm Stress, Resiliency, and Mental Health programs seekto support our rural partners with programs thatpromote mental health and stress reduction. Theeducator taught 10 programs, reaching 116 participants.Understanding Credit and Credit Reports is an importantelement of creating financial stability. The educatoroffered 11 workshops, reaching 511 participants.The Personal Finance Seminar for Professionals providedrelevant and timely financial information for financialcounseling and education professionals. The Seminar had114 participants with a potential reach of 162,000individuals.College students seek financial literacy and education asthey move into adulthood. The educator offered 5workshops reaching 55 college-age students.FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES(FCS)Financial Wellness programming strives to ensure thatall residents are economically successful at every stageof life through education, research, and outreachprograms. https://www.facebook.com/HealthyLivinginAlleganyCounty/Jesse Ketterman72programs 1,395total contacts withparticipants, including 1,079adults316 youthFINANCIAL WELLNESS BY THE NUMBERS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: FINANCIAL WELLNESS

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Empowered 3962 Western Marylanders through 40 devicedistributions and 9 digital literacy classes (58 students) inWashington, Allegany & Garrett County. More details canbe found in the Digital Literacy: Year In Review. Our team partnered with county government, countylibraries, and the State Office of Broadband to distributeover 10,000 free Chromebooks in Western Marylandthrough a state-funded grant.Free tech support was also offered to each Chromebookrecipient through a combination of in-person, virtual, andover-the-phone call center support.Healthy Living programs included Dining with Diabetes,Stress Management, DASH Plus for hypertensionmanagement, food canning, and healthy eating.Partners included HUB labels, Meritus Health, FrostburgHeights Senior Apartments, Zion Baptist Church,Washington County Senior Center, Allegany CountySenior Center, Fort Ritchie Community Center, BishopWalsh School, and Garrett County Head Start.Other outreach included monthly radio programs, newsarticles, magazine features, and social media.PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: HEALHTY LIVINGPROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: DIGITAL LITERACY Healthy Living programs strive to ensure that allresidents are healthy and economically successfulat every stage of life through education, research,and outreach programs.The Digital Literacy Project is an initiative that aimsto bridge the digital divide throughout Maryland.Read more about this mission here. Lisa McCoy Shelita Jackson 3,962total contacts withparticipants9programs 10,000devices distributedDIGITAL LITERACY BY THE NUMBERS49 programs 758total contacts withparticipants, including 408adults350 youthHEALTHY LIVING BY THE NUMBERS

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UME Allegany County Faculty & StaffUniversity 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, protectedveteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.The Extension Advisory Committee is a diverse group of professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders dedicated toinforming program development, assisting with outreach efforts, and identifying community needs by helping the UMEfaculty with overall advisory services to support program determination and issues. These members represent variouspartnerships and institutions, bringing their expertise, resources, and perspectives to support UME's mission. Theircontributions ensure that programs and strategies are inclusive, relevant, and impactful. Our current Allegany County EACcomprises individuals from these organizations, partnerships, and backgrounds:4-H Youth RepresentativesAg Expo CommitteeAllegany County Health DepartmentAllegany County Master Gardener VolunteersAllegany County Public SchoolsCommunity Members/Stakeholders with agricultural background and experienceCumberland Parks and Recreation DepartmentFrostburg State UniversityYMCA Family CenterAllegany County Extension Advisory Committee Dr. Jennifer BentlejewskiWMD Extension Directorjthorn@umd.eduDr. Lisa McCoyFCS Healthy LivingImccoy@umd.eduDr. Jesse KettermanFCS Financial Wellnessjketterm@umd.eduShelita JacksonFCS Digital Literacysjack111@umd.eduToni RichardsAdministrative Assistanttonir@umd.edu Jessica Mellon4-H Youth Developmentjmellon2@umd.eduMichelle Harman4-H Youth Developmentmharman2@umd.eduSarah LlewellynAgFS/ ENR/MG Coordinatorsllewell@umd.edu Jody ParrishProgram Mgt. Specialistjparrish@umd.eduShayla Hitchens SNAP-Ed Program Assistantsfelker@umd.eduAmanda HawkinsSNAP-Ed Project Leaderahawkin7@umd.edu Shirley GuinnSNAP-Ed Educator sguinn1@umd.eduVisit our website here

2024 AC UME Program Highlights

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