UMES Extension programming covers five specific areas that address the expressed needs of our local communities. Our Small Farm Outreach and Small Ruminant Programs serve farmers in Southern Maryland and all along the Delmarva Peninsula with educational programs and training, technical assistance, and other outreach activities. Our Nutrition and Health Program helps families, children and adults alike, to gain knowledge and skills in nutrition, meal planning, food buying, and fitness to combat critical health concerns like childhood obesity and diabetes.
Our Alternative and Small Scale Agriculture Program coordinates research and Extension outreach that focus on the development of alternative agriculture technologies and marketing strategies to help maintain small family farm operations.
Positive youth development programming that involves citizenship education, civic engagement, service learning for youth, youth-adult partnerships, volunteer development for teens and adults, and experiential leadership experiences for youth and adults is offered via our 4-H STEM and Youth Development Program.
Our newest program, the Agriculture Law Education Initiative, was created after the Maryland General Assembly gave the University System of Maryland a direct assignment in 2011 . . . to preserve Maryland’s family farms by helping their owners address the complicated legal issues associated with agricultural estates and trusts, regulatory compliance and other agricultural issues.
As the needs of our community evolve, so will UMES Extension programming. You’ll find friendly people and solutions to youth development, childhood obesity, large- and small-scale farming, beekeeping, and more.
