WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
University of Maryland Extension – Departments 94020 & 94030
Contact: Dr. Jennifer Bentlejewski
University of Maryland Extension (UME) – Washington County is a joint partnership with Washington County Government, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland – College Park, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Department Description/Function
University of Maryland Extension (UME) – Washington County Office is committed to solving challenges through responsive educational programming, cutting-edge research, and robust community partnerships. Programs cover a range of topics, including agricultural production, agricultural nutrient management, home horticulture, 4-H youth development, volunteer development, financial management, food safety, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Our programs provide current, practical information through workshops, seminars, clinics, camps, on-farm visits, one-on-one consultations, and social media. UME strives to positively impact people’s lives in Washington County through our vital community outreach.
Goals Fiscal Year 2026
Provide timely, reliable educational opportunities for at least 17,000 Washington County youth and adults resulting in positive impacts to their everyday lives. Assist at least 7,000 residents with agriculture and gardening issues, resulting in safer pesticide practices, effective food production, viable livestock management etc. Work with local agriculture producers to establish more sustainable and profitable practices resulting in safe, affordable, and accessible food supply. This includes the completion of 10,000 acres in nutrient management planning. Provide opportunities for approximately 4,600 youth to build beneficial, cognitive and life skills through participation in 4-H club programs, in-school enrichment, and camping programs. Empower at least 2,000 individuals to enhance their health and financial literacy through Family and Consumer Sciences Programs. Target 2,500 low-income youth and families with nutrition and health education through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education program (SNAP-Ed). Build human capacity by recruiting and/or maintaining at least 220 UME volunteers to achieve community outcomes throughout Washington County.
Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2025
Reached 17,218 Washington County youth and adults with timely, research-based skills in agriculture production, home horticulture, food safety, nutrition and health, digital literacy, financial management, entrepreneurship, and volunteer development. This exceeded our FY2025 goal of 14,000. Provided timely, research-based solutions for 7,825 residents related to agriculture and gardening issues and secured over $200,000 in grant funding to conduct research to assist agricultural producers to improve profitability.
2026 Budget Document
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