GARRETT COUNTY

Join us for an exciting ROV Workshop!

Pick between 3 start times (4 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:30 pm) on Tuesday, June 16th at the Garrett County Extension Office. Participants will have the chance to build and take home their very own ROV. The workshop will also share valuable information on how to get involved in the Maryland 4-H ROV Challenge competition taking place this summer. Details about the competition will be held at 5:45 pm. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

To register, simply choose your preferred start time (allow yourself 1 1/2 hours to complete) and call the Garrett County Extension Office at 301-334-6960.

Be sure to join us in June at your favorite Library Branch to learn about container gardening and get a free grow bag and tomato seedling! Call your local library to register.

There will be two free sessions to learn more about septic system maintenance and the importance of wastewater treatment. Sponsored by the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation. Registration required and connection link will be emailed after clicking this link to register for either session. https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/BEESpeMDQ26H4da0Rt4jTg

Are you interested in conserving water, protecting the environment, and supporting local watersheds? The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Maryland Extension and the Master Gardener Program, is offering Garrett County residents a unique opportunity to receive a free rain barrel!

Rain barrels are an excellent way to collect and store rainwater for outdoor use, such as watering plants, gardens, and lawns. They help reduce runoff, protect local waterways, and contribute to sustainable living practices.

How to Qualify

To receive a free rain barrel, participants must complete a 45-minute educational class. The class will cover essential topics such as:

• Proper rain barrel installation techniques.
• Maintenance and care for long-term use.
• Environmental benefits, including reducing stormwater runoff and supporting local watersheds.

Registration Details

Space and barrels are limited, so registration is required. Sign up today using the following link:
https://forms.gle/DQtBaHZepSstCfYc9

The distribution date will be announced soon, so stay tuned for updates!

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on your community and environment—sign up today!

It's that time of year again! The Garrett County Agriculture Fair will be held from August 1, 2026 to August 8, 2026, at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry, MD! Enjoy 4-H showmanship, concessions, exhibits, rides, concerts, and so much more! This is where we shine. We'll see you there!

It was a busy spring for the Garrett County 4-H STEM Enrichment program. STEM Educator Karen Wood and Program Assistant Emily Pysell traveled throughout the county to present programs to In-School and After-School classrooms, 4-H Clubs and Libraries as part of the Student Discovery Series. Highlighted programs were:

• Fairy Frog Gardens & Lifecycles
• Slime Science & Non-Newtonian Fluids
• Bug Explorers & Entomology
• Soar and Explore Flight Lab & Kite Physics
• 3D Printing & Material Arts
• The Art of Leaf & Flower Pressing

These programs successfully sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM among participants of all ages.

Kenzi Mousch, Extension Educator along with Roberta Cvetnick, Program Management Specialist, recently attended the annual Garrett County Benefit & Health Fair to provide educational materials from University of Maryland Extension focusing on Nutrition Health and Wellness. 240 Garrett County employees benefited from various vendors during this event.

The Maryland 4-H State Public Speaking Contest was held at the University of Maryland, College Park on Saturday, April 25th. There were 131 participants representing 21counties for this event. Garrett County participants fared well at the event. Public speaking fosters creativity, critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, poise, and professionalism, valuable for the job market.

Results:

Kylie Bates, 2nd Place-Prepared

Dustin DeBerry, Participation-Extemporaneous

Livestock projects remain one of the most popular areas of participation in Maryland 4-H in Garrett County, which continues to have the highest number of livestock project members in the state. This year brought another strong turnout, with record participation at the Spring Weigh-In and Tagging Event held May 8. Youth brought the following market animals to be tagged and weighed:

• Goats-56
• Sheep-81
• Swine-187

On Saturday, May 9, the 4-H District Livestock Show was held at the fairgrounds. 4-H members from Garrett, Allegany and Washington Counties are eligible for the show. This event serves as a "practice show" allowing participants to practice showmanship skills, gain confidence in the ring, and spend time working with their animals before the fair season begins.

The Kitzmiller Library Story Time recently hosted a fun and educational chick program, taught by Lacie Ashby, 4-H Educator. Children learned all about chickens and their life cycle, exploring the fascinating journey of a chick from egg to fully grown chicken. Participants discovered why eggs come in different colors and learned about the parts of a chicken and their functions.

Bob the rooster and some chicks joined the program, giving the children an exciting opportunity to interact with live poultry. They got to touch and compare the soft fuzz of chicks to the feathers of adult poultry, adding a hands-on element to their learning experience. Lacie also introduced kids to what chickens eat and how they grow, fostering curiosity about animals and agriculture. The story time provided a unique opportunity for children to connect with nature and learn about the world of chickens in an engaging way.

Faculty and Staff attended the University of Maryland Extension Statewide Meeting focusing on topics related to AI and technology in Extension, partnership building and community engagement, grants management, and measuring impacts, while also providing ample opportunities for collaboration and networking among staff from across the state. Welcome and opening remarks were provided by Dean Wendy Powers.

The morning general sessions featured updates on the UME Programmatic Plan along with Lightning Talks highlighting innovative programs and initiatives taking place across Maryland. Afternoon breakout sessions covered a variety of professional development topics including stress management, grants management, and AI and technology in Extension, among others.

Two members of our local team served as presenters during the conference. Kenzi Mousch presented during the session on Partnership Building to Expand Reach and Engagement, while Dr. Jennifer Bentlejewski presented on Fiscal Management and Operations.

Dr. Ketterman attended the Extension Risk Management and Education Conference. Risk Management Education provides training that improves the ability of agricultural producers and their families to effectively manage risk. Training addresses five general types of risk associated with farm and ranch businesses. At the conference, Dr. Ketterman presented with colleagues on the Farm Family Finance Toolkit and shared posters on Farm Succession Planning and Health Insurance Literacy.

The annual Native Plant Festival brought more than 200 people to the Friend or Foe: Test Your Plant Knowledge plant display and educational booth on May 9th at New Germany State Park. Master Gardeners got to spend the day educating about native and invasive plant species that we see commonly in MD and our surrounding areas. Plan to attend the event in 2027 which is always held the 2nd Saturday May!

On April 25th, the Master Gardeners proudly hosted two tables at the Civic Club-Sponsored Anything Goes Market, creating a vibrant space for community members to explore gardening. Visitors had the opportunity to participate in a fun, hands-on activity by crafting their very own seed snail, a creative way to learn about planting and germination. Additionally, attendees were invited to choose from a wide selection of free seeds, perfect for starting their own gardens at home. Alongside these activities, the Master Gardeners shared valuable information about their upcoming classes and workshops, offering participants the chance to expand their gardening knowledge and skills.

Library Garden Labs have been a fun adventure for Master Gardeners and participants. During the month of May participants have been learning how to make seed snails a great way to start seeds early and do so with recycled materials.

Are you receiving our monthly AG Newsletter? If not, please click here to update your contact information and to stay updated on everything agriculture-related in Garrett County and the tri-state area.

We are here to serve you in person, by phone, email, or by Zoom. If you have questions, contact one of our experts to provide solutions.

Email: rcvetnic@umd.edu

Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/garrett-county

Location: 1916 Maryland Hwy., Suite A, Mt. Lake Park, MD 21550

Phone: 301-334-6960

Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm excluding holidays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4HGarrettCoMD

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 any other legally protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the event at (301) 334-6960.