Publications

Authors: Navonne Owen

Anxiety in certain situations is normal. This is true with public speaking. Incorporating these 10 simple techniques into the preparation and presentation of your speech can make you a more confident speaker. Author: Navonne Owen; Title: Ten Ways to Increase Your Public Speaking Confidence (FS-2024-0713).

Authors: Serena Taylor Newton

This publication provides step-by-step instructions for Adopt-A-Lot participants, property owners, and renters on how to access municipal water in Baltimore City, Maryland. Author: Serena Newton; Title: Municipal Water Access for Adopt-A-Lot Program Participants & Establishing an Irrigation Account for Property Owners & Renters (EB-2024-0722).

Authors: Serena Taylor Newton - Paul Goeringer

General liability insurance helps farmers manage legal risk by covering accidents, negligence claims, and defense costs, while noting key exclusions. Authors: Serena Newton and Paul Goeringer; Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: General Liability Insurance (FS-2025-0764).

Authors: Hayden Schug - Dr. Galen P. Dively II

A practical identification and management guide for common soybean pests in Maryland. Including pest biology, seasonal scouting guidance, and current IPM recommendations to help reduce yield loss. Authors: Hayden Schug and Dr. Galen Dively; Title: Common Soybean Pests in Maryland" (FS-2025-0759).

Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson - Jesse Ketterman

Credit plays a pivotal role in modern financial planning, enabling individuals to manage cash flow, make major purchases, and secure future financial stability through strategic borrowing. While installment, revolving, and open credit accounts offer flexibility, responsible repayment is critical to avoid financial pitfalls. Budgeting is also essential to manage expenditures and prevent debt cycles. Securing credit depends on factors like payment history, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio, impacting loan terms and interest rates. Mismanagement can lead to financial distress, while effective credit use can enhance economic well-being. Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson, Ed.D., and Jesse Ketterman, Ph.D.; Title: Consumer Credit: Balancing Access and Risks to Achieve Financial Stability (FS-2025-0755).

Authors: Qianwen Lu - Neith Little - Kayla Griffith - Maxine Da-Som Yoon - Xuan Wei

Learn how to stay compliant with Maryland’s Nutrient Management Plan requirements by understanding recordkeeping rules, key deadlines, practical suggestions, and best practices to protect soil, crops, and Chesapeake Bay water quality. Authors: Qianwen Lu, UME Urban Ag Production Specialist, Neith Little, UME Urban Ag Educator, Kayla Griffith, UME Nutrient Management Faculty Specialist, Maxine Da-Som Yoon, Home Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator, and Xuan Wei, UME Urban Agribusiness Specialist; Title: Keep up with Nutrient Management Plan Requirements in Maryland (FS-2024-0739).

Authors: Anna Glenn

This factsheet provides guidance for 4-H coaches to create successful competitive programs, focusing on judging contests, Skillathons, and quiz bowls. It emphasizes the importance of the 4-H Thriving Model, which fosters youth development by creating a supportive environment that encourages social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Key elements include igniting interest, fostering belonging, building supportive relationships, and encouraging meaningful engagement, leading to positive long-term outcomes for youth participants. Author: Anna Glenn; Title: Tips for 4-H Competitive Event Coaches: How to Create Thriving Programs (FS-2025-0760).

Authors: Willie Lantz - Philip Malone - Karen Wood - Amy Lang - Brad Hartle - Mark DeMorra - Amanda Wahle - Mary Elizabeth Bissell - Aimee Cristy - Bobbi Hudson - Thomas Hutson - Jessica Mellon

The “Investigating Oysters” underwater science activity booklet is an educational component of the 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 of oyster aquaculture. This guide provides young people with an introduction to oysters and an overview of underwater robotics through engaging activities that connect to the future of oyster harvesting. The activities included in this booklet are a virtual oyster dissection, experiments in buoyancy and propulsion and a guide to building the 4-H SAM underwater robot. Authors: Willie Lantz, Phil Malone, Karen Wood, Amy Lang, Brad Hartle, Mark Demorra, Amanda Wahle, Aimee Cristy, Mary Elizabeth Bissell, Bobbi Hudson, Tom Hudson, and Jessica Mellon.; Title: Investigating Oysters 4-H Guide to Underwater Science Activities for Youth (EC-2025-0751)

Authors: Amy Lang

The Power of Pollinators lessons provide engaging, interactive activities for youth audiences to explore the role pollinators play in our food supply, providing opportunities to explore pollinator species and habitats and engage in environmental stewardship practices to support these vital organisms.  As youth explore these concepts they will develop an increased affinity for the natural world and the science that can be used to explore and understand it. Author: Amy Lang; Title: The Power of Pollinators (EC-2023-0675).

Authors: Sarah Hirsh

Soil health is the status of soil in terms of its ability to function and sustain life. It involves physical, chemical, and biological factors that are all interrelated. Soil organisms are critical for building good soil structure, ensuring air and water movements through the soil, decomposing organic materials, and cycling nutrients. A soil with good physical structure and with sufficient nutrient cycling will encourage increased numbers and diversity of soil organisms. When we manage soil with practices that minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, maximize biodiversity, and maximize the presence of living roots, we can increase soil health, increasing the sustainability and profitability of agriculture. Author: Sarah Hirsh; Title: Soil Health (FS-2025-0754).