UMES Extension’s “Integrated Parasite Management Workshop” was originally planned as a March 26 face-to-face event. Then came the major and seemingly sudden shift brought on by COVID-19. Extension educators left their offices Friday, March 13, without a clue as to when they would return. Along with the rest of the world, quite literally, they were forced to adapt as quickly as possible to serving from a distance.
Dr. Nelson Escobar, interim associate administrator, led the march, converting the parasite management workshop to a webinar. On April 30, he engaged his participants, offering information about gastrointestinal parasites, anthelmintic resistance and practices to mitigate or manage parasite burdens. More importantly, he made a way for attendees to see how to properly use the FAMACHA© score card to identify and monitor parasite burdens in sheep and goats. Following the webinar, each participant was given the opportunity to earn FAMACHA© certification. In addition to serving as administrator, Escobar is an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences and small ruminant specialist for UMES Extension.
The next webinar happened on May 28. Henriette den Ouden, a specialty herbs consultant for the UMES Extension Small Farm Program, offered a wealth of information to a record number of participants interested in “Growing Herbs at Home.” Participants learned how to select which herbs to grow based on their needs, how to choose and design the location, how to prepare the containers, how to grow seedlings, how to maintain the garden and containers and how to use the fresh herbs or dry them.
Den Ouden is also co-owner of Habanera Farm LLC, where she grows herbs and produces teas. She has a degree in herbalism from the Maryland University of Integrative Health and as a clinical herbalist, she treats clients using herbal medicine. She is an experienced speaker and teacher and loves offering cooking classes at her farm.
The “Why Bok Choy?” question was sufficiently answered by Dr. Nadine Burton-Stubbs during her June 24 webinar. She made the case for using the plant for food, selling it commercially and for growing bok choy as an alternative to other dark green leafy vegetables. Participants heard all about the plant and why it is considered a superfood by researchers and medical professionals alike.
Burton-Stubbs is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and currently works as an alternative crop specialist for the Small Farm Program. She is a researcher and an educator and offered insights she gained from growing bok choy on the UMES Demonstration Farm.
