GARRETT COUNTY

Mark your calendars for our annual Tomato Festival! August 28th at the Deep Creek Farmers Market! Enter what you grow into the contest or just come and celebrate this awesome garden staple!

Guess what? Insect enthusiasts are offering a 2nd Moth Night on Sept. 4th @ Sang Run State Park! Plan to attend for a fun time to see some later season nocturnal insects. Help us estimate supplies needed by registering: https://forms.gle/mbnDdYSNPcYitz1CA

Hope to see you on Sept. 4th!

As the school year kicks off, it’s time to gear up for nutritious breakfasts and lunches that fuel learning and growth! A balanced meal packed with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy provides the energy and focus kids need to thrive in the classroom. Planning ahead is key—taking time to prep meals ensures they’re not only healthy but also stress-free during busy mornings.

Here are some quick and easy recipes:

Breakfast:

• Breakfast Burritos
• Egg Muffins
• PB & Banana Roll Ups

Lunch:

• Crunchy Veggie Wraps
• Make It Yourself Bagel Pizza
• DIY Lunchables

Contact FCS Educator, Kenzi Mousch, at mmousch@umd.edu to learn helpful tips and discover programs that can support your family in making healthy food choices

We are excited to welcome Carrie Sorenson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, to Garrett, Allegany & Washington Counties. She began working for UME in 2017 at the Frederick County Office and then later was based in Carroll County. Carrie has taught programs on a variety of topics including health insurance literacy, financial wellness, food safety, food preservation, physical activity, nutrition, and health. She is excited to be able to provide education to her friends and neighbors in her favorite place, Western Maryland! Carrie received her Masters of Public Health from George Washington University and her Bachelors of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology from West Virginia University. In her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, baking, watching sports and riding her bicycle.

You can contact Carrie by emailing cjrsoren@umd.edu or calling 301-791-1304.

The box tree moth is a new invasive pest in the United States, recently found in Maryland. As of August 2026, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has a quarantine in place for box tree moth in 8 Maryland Counties: Washington, Frederick, Garrett, Allegany, Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's Counties. Any businesses moving regulated items into or from a quarantine zone need a certificate of inspection and compliance agreement in place with MDA. More details can be found HERE. Reported sightings can be sent through our UME Ask Extension form or via the MDA's box tree moth reporting form (requires a date of sighting, county, map location, photo, and type of sighting- box tree moth life stage and/or damage).

Questions can be sent to btm.inbox@maryland.gov.

Dean Wendy Powers of the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources visited Garrett County on Aug. 5 and 6, meeting with University of Maryland Extension (UME) faculty and staff, community leaders, and 4-H supporters.

• Her visit began at the Garrett County Fair, where she experienced firsthand the energy, pride, and strong agricultural traditions that make the fair an important annual gathering for the community. Throughout the day, Dean Powers visited with UME faculty and staff, learning more about our work and the many ways we support residents through education, outreach, and engagement.
• Dean Powers also met with members of the Extension Advisory Committee as well as the fair board. Their discussion offered a valuable exchange of ideas about local needs, emerging opportunities, and the important role UME plays in strengthening families, farms, youth programs, and communities across Garrett County.
• Garrett County Commissioner Larry Tichnell met with the Dean to discuss the county’s priorities, agricultural community, and partnership with Extension. She also met with the county's agriculture business specialist to learn about the value of collaboration between local government, Extension, and the communities we serve.
• She continued her visit with a tour of the Maryland 4-H Environmental Education & Camping Center in Swanton, Maryland which serves as an important setting for environmental education, experiential learning, and 4-H programming. The tour offered an opportunity to explore the center’s facilities and consider its role in connecting young people with nature, science, agriculture, and leadership development.

Together, the two-day visit showcased the breadth of UME’s work in Garrett County—from supporting local agriculture and community partnerships to creating meaningful educational experiences for Maryland youth.

Maryland Congresswoman, April McClain Delaney recently toured Garrett County, meeting with farmers, educators, healthcare providers, and food-access leaders. They discussed expanding farm-to-school programs and protecting SNAP benefits and nutrition education. Kenzi Mousch, FCS Educator, was among those invited to participate in the roundtable discussion. We appreciate Congresswoman McClain Delaney’s support for these vital programs and her commitment to listening to the needs of our community.

UME faculty and staff collaborated to offer 4-H contestants the opportunity to participate in a Horticulture Judging Competition, which consisted of two parts. The first part was a fruit, vegetable, plant, seed, and flower identification challenge and the second part was all about judging and placing specimens in the correct order from best to worst. There were 9 participants this year and it was a learning experience for everyone. Life skills learned through this competition are aimed at teaching participants how to pick out fruits and vegetables at the grocery store or in the garden, learning what judges are looking for when entering specimens into fairs and festivals, and showing the importance of paying attention to small details. We hope to make this contest an annual challenge at the Garrett County Fair!

The Garrett County Fair showcased the incredible creativity and dedication of 4-H members through their indoor exhibits, with Best of Show winners earning well-deserved recognition for their outstanding work. From crafts and woodworking to baked goods, sewing, flowers, canning, horticulture, and more, these exhibits highlight the diverse talents of our 4-H youth.

Preparing for the fair takes months of hard work and planning. 4-H members carefully select their projects, refine their skills, and follow guidelines to ensure their entries meet exhibit standards. Once completed, their creations are entered and displayed for the community to enjoy, offering a glimpse into the passion and effort behind each piece. Whether it’s a beautifully crafted dress, a perfectly baked cookie, a hand-crafted woodworking project, a basket of apples, or a detailed craft, these exhibits reflect the dedication and ingenuity of Garrett County 4-H members. Congratulations to all Best of Show winners for their remarkable achievements!

• 4-H Crafts and Hobbies: Junior - Cheyenne McClean, Senior - Emmalynn DeWitt
• 4-H Wood & Shop Work: Junior - Aaron Landis, Senior - Preston Miller
• 4-H Horticulture: Chad McKenzie
• 4-H Booths/Banners: Avilton 4-H Club
• 4-H Photography: Junior - Cole Savage, Senior - Owen Rowe
• 4-H Clothing: Junior - Cassidy Ashby
• 4-H Home Environment: Junior - Audrey Hawkins, Senior - Braylon Marple
• 4-H Plants and Flowers: Junior - Raylin Broadwater, Senior - Luke Bolyard
• 4-H Baked Goods: Junior - Wyatt Funkhouser, Senior - Luke Ashby
• 4-H Food Preservation: Junior - Marshall Green, Senior - Owen Bolyard
• 4-H Candy: Audrey Hawkins
• 4-H Other Project Areas: Oliver Getz, Bristal Ketterman

The generosity of our community was on full display throughout fair week as supporters came together to celebrate Garrett County 4-H members and their Animal Science projects at the Garrett County Fair. From market chickens and rabbit showmanship to equine riding and showmanship, as well as market and breeding livestock projects, members had the opportunity to showcase the hard work, dedication, and skills they developed throughout the year.

• That incredible community support continued through the close of the fair with another record-breaking 4-H Livestock Sale. This year’s sale totaled an outstanding $976,129.90, demonstrating once again the tremendous commitment of local businesses, families, and individuals to Garrett County’s young people.
• For our 4-H members, the impact of this support extends well beyond fair week. Members use their sale proceeds to invest in projects for the coming year while also working toward long-term goals, such as saving for college or trade school, purchasing their first vehicle, and preparing for their futures.
• Garrett County 4-H is deeply grateful for the exceptional generosity of our community. This continued support not only invests in our 4-H members and their futures—it reflects the strong sense of community that makes Garrett County such a special place to call home.

Summer youth groups from Grantsville and Yough Glade Elementary Schools had the exciting opportunity to tour the Garrett County Fair again this year. The tours were packed with hands-on educational activities and plenty of fun for everyone. Students rotated through engaging sessions including-

• Identifying & judging fruits and vegetables with ENR Educator Ashley Bodkins
• Doing pollinator-themed crafts with 4-H Educator Karen Wood and Emily Pysell
• Riding the blender bike to make their own smoothies with FCS Educator, Kenzi Mousch
• Exploring water erosion with the interactive runoff table from Garrett County Soil Conservation
• Enjoying a milking demonstration by Dairy Miss Faith Hauser
• Visiting the fascinating UMD Bug Zoo
• Participating in animal presentations from 4-H Educator, Lacie Ashby, along with 4-H members, Carmen Knotts and Chase Preston, proudly sharing their projects and knowledge.

Maryland 4-H teams from Allegany, Charles, and Garrett Counties gathered at the Howard County Fairgrounds on Aug. 18 for the 2026 Maryland 4-H ROV Challenge, themed “An Underwater Adventure.” The day-long event brought together youth, families, volunteers, and supporters for a celebration of learning, engineering, and teamwork.

Organized under the leadership of Willie Lantz, Phil Malone and Karen Wood, the state event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of volunteers and educators, including Karen Taylor, Harford County 4-H; Annalise Kenney, Maryland Sea Grant; Arlene Lantz, and Lisa Malone, Garrett County 4-H. The ROV kit and the Challenge missions were created and developed by Phil Malone.

Throughout the event, participants demonstrated their skills in underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) design, construction, and operation. Friends and family gathered around the pool to watch practice sessions and two rounds of competition featuring 6 missions, creating an atmosphere of excitement and encouragement.

In addition to the in-water competition, teams also participated in a research proposal presentation. During this portion of the challenge, youth shared what they had learned throughout the project, highlighting both their technical knowledge and their problem-solving experiences.

The Maryland 4-H ROV Challenge gives young people the opportunity to build hands-on STEM skills while developing confidence, communication, and collaboration. Events like this help youth connect 4-H learning with real-world applications in engineering, marine science, and research.

This program is part of University of Maryland Extension Smart Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture Management (S3AM) program. S3AM is a nationwide, multi-institutional, USDA-funded project that uses smart technology to increase farming efficiency, economic viability, and environmental sustainability in oyster aquaculture.

Maryland 4-H congratulates all participants, coaches, volunteers, and families who helped make the 2026 4-H ROV Challenge a success.

Route 40 Elementary Judy Center parents recently participated in a hands-on Crockpot Safety and Cooking Night. Families practiced essential cutting skills while preparing a delicious turkey chili that can be frozen for a future meal or placed directly into a crockpot for convenient cooking. Kenzi Mousch, FCS Educator, helped participants learn important crockpot safety tips and simple steps to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria contaminating food. It was a fun and practical evening focused on building cooking skills, food safety knowledge, and confidence in preparing healthy meals at home.

Crockpot Safety Facts: Slow cookers are a convenient way to prepare meals, but proper food safety is important. Always wash your hands, utensils, and cutting surfaces before and after handling raw meat. Keep perishable foods refrigerated until you are ready to cook, and avoid overfilling the crockpot. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat reaches a safe internal temperature, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Following these simple steps can help prevent the growth and spread of harmful bacteria.

The Appalachian Farm and Food Alliance (AFFA), Three Sisters Farm, and ALL Produce have each been awarded funding through the NourishMD Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiative administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The program supports rural health and food access improvements across the region, with AFFA's award funding the Mountain Fresh Pavilion Year-Round Access & Resilience Project at the Mt. Fresh Farmers Market in Oakland — transforming the market into a year-round fresh food hub with climate-controlled infrastructure and a new "Healthy Harvest" Smart Nutrition Station to give Garrett County residents reliable access to local, healthy food and SNAP/EBT resources throughout the winter months. Together, these awards reflect a continued investment in Garrett County's local farming economy and in expanding food access for underserved communities across the region. You can read Governor Moore's full press release below.

On August 17, University of Maryland Extension (UME) staff were proud to participate in the Backed By Community Resource Fair at the Garrett County Agriculture Hall. This event brought together local organizations to share valuable resources and services with the community. UME staff showcased a variety of programs, including 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener initiatives, gardening assistance, and nutrition education. Attendees learned about ways to get involved in 4-H clubs, tips for improving their gardens, and the importance of drinking more water for better health.

In addition to highlighting these programs, UME staff shared information about other Extension services available to area residents and families. From youth activities to gardening expertise and nutrition education, UME remains committed to empowering individuals and families with tools for healthier, more sustainable living. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and share how UME can help make a difference!

Dr. Jesse Ketterman was invited to the LaVale Civic Improvement Association meeting to share the resources available through Extension. Among the many topics discussed, there was a particular interest in identity protection. Dr. Ketterman recommends individuals to freeze their accounts with the three major credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Information about credit freezes can be found here.

Dr. Jesse Ketterman recently led a Mental Health First Aid workshop for the Student Affairs staff at Frostburg State University. This program is designed to teach participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health concerns or illness and substance use disorders. The program provides participants with the skills and confidence to provide initial support to those experiencing a crisis.

The course is available free of cost through the ROPTA initiative offered by Extension. To schedule a workshop, please contact our office at 301-334-6960.

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.