The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, through its outreach and research components, is committed to serving the interests of Maryland's citizens through education.
Who Is MCE?
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR), through its outreach and research components, is committed to serving the interests of Maryland's citizens through education.
Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE) was established in 1914 through acts of Congress and the Maryland General Assembly, and is administered by AGNR at the University of Maryland and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). MCE partners extensively with the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).
The MCE family consists of University of Maryland Extension faculty and researchers based in offices in each county and Baltimore City, five Research and Education Centers located around the state, the Home and Garden Information Center, and on the College Park and Eastern Shore campuses.
What Makes MCE Unique?
- Using knowledge in the public interest
- Linking education to the research capacity of:
The University of Maryland;
Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station; and
The national network of land-grant universities. - Maintaining an educational presence in every county and in Baltimore City
- Leveraging local funding with state and federal dollars
- Seeking partners in education
- Engaging volunteers in service to the community
What Do We Do?
Our purpose is to educate people to help themselves by providing timely, research-based information through educational programs and materials in areas such as:
- Agricultural and life sciences
- Environmental sciences
- 4-H youth development
- Consumer sciences
- Family development
- Nutritional sciences
- Community development and leadership
What Is Our Mission?
Economic Prosperity. MCE is working to improve the efficiency and productivity of Maryland's businesses-- especially agricultural enterprises, with special emphasis on the use of new technologies. In addition, we are teaching citizens-- young and old-- how to make good financial decisions.
Environmental Quality. MCE is engaged in efforts to preserve and enhance Maryland's abundant natural resources by emphasizing wise use, appropriate conservation, and remediation, where necessary.
Quality of Life. MCE is committed to enhancing the quality of life for Maryland residents through education in areas such as nutrition, health, child care, youth development, and leadership.
By fulfilling our mission, MCE will help to build a stronger Maryland and a better world.
Who Do We Serve?
MCE's clientele include businesses; children and young people; community leaders; farmers; local, state and national agencies; parents; and schools.
We use in-depth consultations, classes, seminars, field demonstrations, and print and electronic resources to reach the citizens we serve. Much of the knowledge used in such problem solving is produced in collaboration with the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.
Who Are Our Partners?
We partner with other organizations such as state and local agencies, not-for-profits, and the national network of land-grant universities, and receive state, local, and federal funding to achieve our goals of reaching Maryland's citizens.
For More Information
Call your Maryland Cooperative Extension office, listed on the back of this brochure, or go to www.agnr.umd.edu.
You may also contact Cheng-i Wei, dean and director, at 301-405-2072; Jim Hanson, acting associate dean and associate director, at 301-405-2907, or Henry Brooks, administrator and associate director, MCE, UMES, at 410-651-6206.
For more information, contact Dr. Nick Place
Last updated: 06/4/2008
Nick's Notes
MCE Administrative updates - posted Aug 1, 2008
County Extension Coordinator Announced
The frist MCE - County Extension Coordinator will begin the role on September 2, 2008 - posted Jul 31, 2008
EFNEP Recognized
The MCE-Baltimore City Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program was recently highlighted in Baltimore's Blueprint to Reduce Childhood Obesity. - posted Jul 28, 2008
