University of Maryland Extension - Montgomery County

06/16/2026

🥇Winter Olympics are long over, but trivia lives on! Olympic medals' real "melt value" is simple: weight × purity of their gold, silver & copper × today’s market prices. That value rises and falls daily with global metal markets! 📈

Source: Forbes.

06/12/2026

• Check Produce for signs of cuts or bruising where harmful bacteria can breed!

• Tip: Only buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables—like packaged salads and sliced melons—that are refrigerated or on ice.

Source: Partnership for Food Safety Education

06/08/2026

Many people think that 4-H is only for kids interested in agriculture and raising animals. But even though we still care about agriculture and animal husbandry, 4-H is also a great place to find a spark in any interest! Whether it is crafting or something else, we want every child to reach their fullest potential. You can read more about 4-H here: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/montgomery-county/4-h-youth-development/

06/04/2026

Here are some wonderful alternatives to non-native herbs to incorporate into your garden plans.

Native perennial herbs can bring beauty to our gardens and help to support our native pollinators.

06/02/2026

June is Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month!

This is a great time to celebrate and enjoy more fruits and vegetables—like fresh, seasonal berries from local Pick-Your-Own (PYO) farms in Montgomery County!

Did you know? Montgomery County is home to several Pick-Your-Own (PYO) farms.

PYO farms are a great way to enjoy fresh, local produce while getting outside and spending time with family. They’re also a fun and affordable way to learn where your food comes from.

Check out the full list of local farms here:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/office-agriculture/agritourism/pick-your-own-opportunities (link from the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture)

Have more berries than you can eat right away? Try these simple food preservation tips:

✅ Line a clean container with a dry paper towel to absorb extra moisture
✅ Do not wash berries until you are ready to eat them
✅ Freeze berries in a single layer on a baking sheet
✅ Transfer frozen berries to a freezer-safe bag or container
✅ Enjoy later in smoothies, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, or baked goods

Freezing berries is a simple way to reduce food waste and enjoy the taste of summer all year long!

By choosing local, seasonal produce, you are also supporting local farmers and strengthening your community food system.

What is your favorite way to enjoy fresh berries?



Infographic Keep your Berries Fresh Longer Created in ChatGPT. Prompt: work these photos into a graphic. The method is to line a container with a dry paper towel to extend the life of berries, and also wait to wash until ready to eat.

05/27/2026

Explore wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries during the 2026 Montgomery County
Farm Tour 🍷
Whether you’re looking for scenic vineyard views, craft beverages, live music, or relaxing
outdoor spaces, these Farm Tour stops offer a unique way to experience Montgomery
County agriculture.

05/22/2026

Join us for an equine pasture walk in Gaithersburg on May 28!

It's that time of year again! Some upcoming opportunities for pasture walks coming up across the state this spring/summer, additional opportunities will also be forthcoming. Check out the links below for more information and sign up to join us!

May 28 at 6 PM at Blue Moon Farm (Gaithersburg, MD): https://go.umd.edu/pwmay

June 23 at 6 PM at University of Maryland WMREC (Keedysville, MD): https://go.umd.edu/pwjune

05/19/2026

Do it! The worst that can happen is you don't receive additional funding.

05/13/2026

Myth or Fact: Cleaning & Sanitizing Edition!🧽

"I don't need to clean my refrigerator produce bin beacuse it only holds fruits and vegetables."

The answer is... Myth!

Source: Partnership for Food Safety Education

05/11/2026

"Join us for two spectacular days where you get to learn to bake, can goods and decorate! On June 30th and July 1st, Howard, Montgomery and Frederick Counties present the Farmstead Kitchen: From-Scratch Cooking Series! This series will be held at the Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794) from 9:30 am-3:30 pm on both days. For both days, the drop-off time window is between 9 am - 9:30 am, with programming beginning promptly at 9:30 am. Pickup time is between 3:30 pm - 4 pm. Participation fee for both days is $40.

Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Please keep in mind 4-H members will received preferred status prior until Monday, June 8th. After that date, it will be open to all youth (ages 8-18 as of January 1, 2026) and placement will continue until spaces are filled. To register your child for this event, please click here: https://forms.gle/7u77oxL6VVkYwPg39

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please call the Howard County office at 410-313-2707. Accommodation requests are needed 2 weeks in advance of the event date.

To pay for this event, please see the following payment options below (scholarships are available if you contact the Montgomery County 4-H Office):

Check Payments:

Please make checks payable to: University of Maryland

Please mail checks to the following address:
ATTN: 4-H Program
Ascend One Building
8930 Stanford Blvd, Suite 25
Columbia, MD 21045

Credit Card (credit card service fee applies):

Please use the following Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/farmstead-kitchen-from-scratch-cooking-series-tickets-1988626621758?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Please note that you must still complete the Google form registration even if you pay using Eventbrite."

Organized by The 4-H Program of Howard, Montgomery, and Fredrick County June 30 & July 1, 2026 Overview This two-day workshop series is designed for 4-H youth, ages 8-18, who are interested in entering goods at the fair. Participants will gain hands-on experience in essential areas including safe fo...