Introduction to the University of Maryland Extension

History

University of Maryland (UMD) has deep agricultural roots. The Maryland College of Agriculture (forerunner of the University of Maryland), was chartered in 1856 and, with the signing of the Morrill Act in 1862, became the state’s land-grant college in 1864. Our College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is the cornerstone college of today’s UMD, carrying out the land-grant mission.

AGNR has three components.

• Academics: undergraduate and graduate instruction on the UMD campus

• Research: research farms and facilities known as Maryland Agricultural Experiment Stations

• Extension: the delivery of non-formal outreach education programs through Extension offices in 23 counties and Baltimore City and through four Research & Education Centers

University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide, non-formal education system within AGNR. We follow AGNR’s mission to embody the University’s land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. UME educational programs and problem-solving assistance are available to all citizens and are based on the research and experience of land-grant universities such as UMD.

UME employs approximately 200 faculty and approximately 200 support staff and contractual employees located at the University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; 23 counties; Baltimore City; and four research and education centers. Many UME faculty members located on the College Park and Eastern Shore campuses have joint appointments with research and academic programs. These joint appointments promote the exchange of knowledge between the universities and among academic specialties.

For more information about the history, structure, and functions of both the College and UME, please visit the UME website and view the online Volunteer Policy Training module in the Moodle online classroom.

UME Impact Areas

UME programs fall into four specific Impact Areas:

• Agriculture and Food Systems

• Healthy Living

• Resilient Communities and Youth Development

• Environment and Natural Resources

The UME MG program is part of the Environment & Natural Resources (ENR) Impact Area.

UME Strategic Plan

In 2013, a steering committee composed of multiple representatives from UME developed a five-year strategic plan to be implemented from 2014 - 2019. This strategic plan encompasses objectives in Identity, Innovation, Infrastructure, and Marketing & Visibility. The full strategic plan is available online on UME Answers. The core elements of the strategic plan include:

• Vision: University of Maryland Extension will be the preeminent Extension organization in the nation by providing the residents of Maryland with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research that addresses their needs.

• Mission: Enhancing the quality of life for people and communities by disseminating unbiased research-based educational information.

• Values: Helping people; Diversity of programs and people; Intellectual freedom and creativity; Excellence in educational programs; Lifelong learning; Truth, ethical and professional conduct, and integrity.

• Impact Areas: Agriculture and Food Systems; Environment and Natural Resources; Healthy Living; Resilient Communities and Youth Development.

Impact Area leadership teams consist of field-based Extension Educators, Extension Specialists, and staff who work together to provide overall statewide leadership for programmatic efforts. These teams are responsible for collectively achieving the goals, measuring the impacts using suitable evaluation methods and tools, and reporting findings to stakeholders. Impact leadership teams, across the major programmatic initiatives, develop signature programs that are replicable, measurable, and recognized at the state and national levels.

AGNR Strategic Initiatives

UMD AGNR has identified 5 strategic initiatives to guide our work. They are:

• Establish a healthy food system and ensure global food and nutritional security

• Ensure a clean and healthy Chesapeake Bay

• Advance innovative, profitable, and sustainable agricultural production systems

• Improve human, animal, and environmental health

• Optimize urban environments through design, green technology, and community engagement

The MG program fits well into all of these strategic initiatives, so our actions are well aligned with AGNR’s priorities. We are successfully working to support the larger goals of our college. To read more about the strategic initiatives, visit AGNR’s website.