Saltwater intrusion represents one of the foremost challenges related to climate change facing farmers in coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic region. SALT, a two-day conference focused on saltwater intrusion and sea level rise in coastal agroecosystems, will be held June 11 and 12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Md., and hopes to address what is happening in academics and on the ground to face it.

SALT stands for “Salinity-Affected Lands in Transition.” The conference will feature expert speakers discussing saltwater intrusion and sea level rise, case studies of areas across the country and hemisphere, environmental justice, coastal farming, ghost forests, adaptation solutions and mitigation strategies.

“The SALT Conference will bring together practitioners, policy-makers, and scientists to discuss issues related to sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion across the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. I am excited to share some of our lessons learned from projects in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia (funded by USDA-NIFA, NFWF, and the NSF) and learn from others who are facing similar challenges across the U.S. and the world,” said Dr. Kate Tully, a University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources researcher investigating saltwater intrusion on the Delmarva Peninsula. “The SALT conference will provide a platform for information sharing, partnership building, and networking. I'm hoping for a great turnout.”

This conference highlights research being conducted by the University of Maryland (UMD) Agroecology Lab, the University of Delaware (UD) and George Washington University (GWU) on the Delmarva Peninsula, which comprises the coastal areas of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The partners have been researching the extent and economic impact of saltwater intrusion in the region and developing potential mitigation strategies for land affected by saltwater intrusion. The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology has been partnering with researchers from these institutions on outreach and stakeholder engagement for the project.

This research and conference are supported by grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation. People can register for the conference online at go.umd.edu/SALT. Registration is open until June 3, 2024.

This conference is complemented by a podcast series called Delmarva’s Invisible Flood. The three-episode series features conversations with the researchers at UMD, UD and GWU who are working on the ground to test and implement mitigation strategies, map saltwater intrusion’s extent, and deduce its impact on society. The podcast series can be found at hughescenter.podbean.com.

Key Speakers:
Equine Extension Specialist: Dr. Amy Burk
With a wealth of experience in equine health and management, our equine extension specialist will delve into the unique needs of horses in a rotational grazing environment. From grazing behavior to nutritional requirements, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to ensure the well-being of their equine companions.

Forage Extension Specialist: Dr. Amanda Grev
Our forage specialist will share her expertise on cultivating and maintaining high-quality pasture for horses. From grass species selection to rotational system management, attendees will learn essential techniques for fostering forage that supports optimal equine health.

Howard County Extension Agriculture Agent: Nathan Glenn
With years of comprehensive experience in agriculture education, and a unique understanding of farm economics, our local county ag agent can help farm owners learn when pasture management techniques can help with the bottom line expenses associated with horse keeping, especially on smaller acreages.

Event Highlights:
- Comprehensive overview of rotational grazing principles and benefits for horse owners.
- Practical guidance on designing and implementing rotational grazing systems tailored to equine needs.
- Strategies for pasture rotation scheduling, stocking rates, and fencing design to maximize forage utilization and minimize pasture degradation.
- Q&A sessions with our expert speakers, providing attendees with the opportunity to address specific concerns and gain personalized advice.

Whether you are looking for additional tips to improve what you already have in place or are new to rotational grazing, this educational event offers invaluable knowledge and resources to help you unlock the full potential of your pastures and promote the well-being of your horses. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow horse owners and gain insights from leading experts in the field of equine and forage management. Join us and take the first step towards a healthier, more sustainable approach to pasture management for your equine companions.

Our gardens can create an experience through use of a guided scent experience.  Explore how flowers use scent to their advantage and how our bodies perceive scent.

“Man or bear?” asks a recent viral meme intended to draw attention to the risks that women face. Coming to the Profs and Pints stage to offer American black bears’ perspective is Dr. Jennifer Mullinax, who has spent more than 25 years trapping, collaring, and tracking black bears and other large animals.

In a talk that promises to be more fun than a pic-a-nic with Yogi and Boo-Boo, Professor Mullinax will discuss her research on black bears from Maryland to Louisiana to Tennessee. She’ll describe how researchers trap black bears and study their movements and behaviors, offering her own accounts of climbing 60ft trees to listen to cubs and of crawling into mother bears’ ground dens.

She’ll dive into the history of black bears populations in the Eastern United States and discuss bear ecology, describing how black bears survive in an ever-urbanizing world. You’ll learn how this once-disappearing charismatic megafauna is now expanding across the Eastern United States.

Professor Mullinax also will discuss bears’ omnivorous habits – with their tastes running from cheeseburgers to American cancer-root – and how they make they it through winter months without eating at all.

Finally, she’ll offer tips for dealing with bears that will increase your odds of walking away safely should you ever encounter one in the woods.
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June 10th, 2024
6:00-8:30 pm
Penn Social
801 E St NW
Washington, DC 20004
(Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.)
TICKETS: https://profsandpints.ticketleap.com/blackbear/dates/Jun-10-2024_at_060…

Join the Maryland 4-H Foundation for a day of fellowship and fun!
Golf Tournament to benefit the Maryland 4-H Program.

Event: Equine Grazing School (2 part)
Cost: Earlybird $45.00; Regular $65.00
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/equinegrazing

Enrollment is limited to 30 people to keep the group small and allow for more interaction, networking, and hands-on opportunities. Lunch and morning refreshments will be provided for the in-person portion. Activities will take place both indoors and outdoors, so be sure to plan ahead and dress accordingly.

Part 1
Date: June 19, 2024  | Wednesday
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Online Zoom session (a zoom link will be sent to those who register)
Description: This online session will cover several foundational topics related to pasture management and rotational grazing to help set the stage for part 2.

Part 2
Date: June 22, 2024  |  Saturday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Baltimore County Extension Office, Center for Maryland Agriculture & Farm Park, 1114 Shawan Road, Suite 2, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Description: Part 2 will include a combination of classroom and hands-on exercises to provide participants with opportunities to work with grazing tools and fencing materials and to implement some of the practices learned. Participants will also have an opportunity to talk with course instructors to begin developing a customized grazing plan for their farm.

If you have questions or need assistance please contact either your local county Extension office or the Western Maryland Research and Education Center at 301-432-2767. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least two weeks prior to the event.

This event is brought to you by University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, and the Maryland Horse Industry Board. Thank you to our event partners!

University of Maryland Extension programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

The University of Maryland will hold the 2024 main commencement ceremony on Monday, May 20, 2024, in SECU Stadium. The student processional will begin at 6 p.m.