The Capture the Flavor class offers new ways to use herbs and spices as well as an understanding of their health benefits and best storage methods to maximize flavor.

During this event, we will share knowledge on nutrition and guide you through the process of creating a well-balanced meal plan. You'll discover the importance of incorporating various food groups, learn about portion control, and get ideas for quick and easy recipes that are both nourishing and tasty.

Learn how to reduce risk from Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Heart Disease through diet on this webinar.

This program provides free tree seedlings to Charles County residents with the goal to enhance water quality. It is intended to assist homeowners who have a waterway on or adjacent to their property. When planted, the trees provide a streamside buffer.

A streamside buffer can create habitat for wildlife, reduce peak summer temperatures, and reduce the amount of sediment, fertilizer and toxic materials that enter our waterways. Deep-rooted trees and shrubs can also stabilize streambanks, protecting them from erosion.

What’s in the bundle?
16 bareroot seedlings, 4 species of each: American Persimmon, Sycamore, Northern Red Oak, and Buttonbush. These species are best suited for moist to wet soils.

Tree seedlings distribution on April 13, 2024

Bundles are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Species cannot be
separated.

A bundle (16 seedlings) is intended for properties with approximately 0.5 acres
available space for planting. Includes 4 seedlings of each species.

Pickup Date: April 13, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Bundles will not be held for additional pickup dates.

This is a free half-day seminar from 8 am to 2 pm. The agenda for the day includes presentations covering key topics such as the direction and future of organic production, insights into organic grain markets, and navigating certification, regulations, and requirements. Additionally, there will be a farmer roundtable discussion featuring panelists representing various aspects of organic farming, including grain, vegetable, animal, and research. Light breakfast refreshments and lunch will be served.

The showcase aims to highlight our students' work and experiences through posters and/or physical displays. Guests, which will include industry partners, faculty, alumni, VIPs from around campus, and UMD students, will be able to walk through the showcase to see their projects.

Join AGNR at the Spring Welcome Back event - Melt Back into the Semester in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.

Please join us on National Ag Day for a FREE film screening of this documentary film on soil health and climate change, hosted by UMD Extension and Talbot County in conjunction with the University of Delaware. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with conservation and farming experts who will discuss the film and answer audience questions.

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6pm-8pm

Where: Avalon Theatre (40 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601)

Register: Register at: https://forms.gle/d9xzaMkTvPqYFudp9

Farmers around the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays are leaders in environmental stewardship. Many of the practices are used to protect
and promote healthy soils while also safeguarding working lands against extremes posed by climate change. This film follows three
family-owned farming operations on the Delmarva Peninsula who all care about and depend on soil.

View the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J095-ClDT-k

Registration Includes:
• Course Materials (PowerPoint Slides & Handouts)

• Light breakfast & Lunch (covered by registration fee)

Who Should Attend?
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety.

What to Expect at this Lab & Lecture?
The trainers will cover content related to Postharvest Handling and Sanitation.

The Lab & Lecture format involves a combination of traditional lecture-style learning (presentations with question & answer and discussion) and hands-on learning (expsoure to equipment, tools, faciities that provide practical knowledge for implementation of the lecture principles).

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss their questions with experienced professionals in the food safety realm from the University of Maryland Plant Science & Food Safety Lab, Univeristy of Maryland Extension, Virginia Tech Food Lab, the Acheson Group, Produce Safety Alliance, Food & Drug Administation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiaitve.

Agenda
7:30 – 8:00 am - Check-in & Breakfast

8:00 – 8:20 am - Welcome & Introduction

8:20 – 8:35 am - Regulatory Overview (Margaret Todd, Esq., ALEI)

8:35 – 9:15 am - Sanitation: Cleaning vs Sanitizing (Carol Allen, UMCP)

9:15- 9:45 am - Case Study: Harvest Equipment Outbreak (Dr. Meg Kirchner, FDA)

9:45- 10:15 am - Sanitary Design - Equipment and Tools Evaluation

10:15-10:20 am Break

10:20 -11:15 pm

11:15 - 12:00 pm - Break Out Session: Pack House Design Tour (UDC FIrebird Farm)

12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch, provided

1:00 - 2:00 pm - Cleaning Chemistry (Dr. Laura Strawn, VTech)

2:00 – 3:00 pm - Sanitizer Chemistry (Dr. Laura Strawn, VTech)

3:00 – 3:15 pm Trivia Time

3:15 – 3:45 pm - Sanitation Verification

3:45 – 4:15 pm - Recordkeeping (UMCP/ALEI/FDA)

4:15 -4:30 pm - Developing your plan (Personal Notetaking time)

4:30- 5:00 pm - Open Discussion and Questions

Participation requirements for in-person attendees include:
• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations within one week of completing the course.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Registration Includes:
• Course Materials (PowerPoint Slides & Handouts)

• Light breakfast & Lunch (covered by registration fee)

Who Should Attend?
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety.

Psst... If you attended one of the PSR Grower Trainings in 2024, you can register for this workshop for FREE.

What to Expect at this Lab & Lecture?
The trainers will cover content related to Farm Food Safety Plan writing

The Lab & Lecture format involves a combination of traditional lecture-style learning (presentations with question & answer and discussion) and hands-on learning (expsoure to equipment, tools, faciities that provide practical knowledge for implementation of the lecture principles).

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss their questions with experienced professionals in the food safety realm from the University of Maryland Plant Science & Food Safety Lab, Univeristy of Maryland Extension, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiaitve.

Agenda
9:30 – 10:00 am - Check-in & Refreshment

10:00 – 10:15 am - Welcome & Introduction (Margaret Todd, Esq., ALEI)

10:15 am – 12:00 pm:

Key components of a farm food safety plan
Using risk assessments to help guide food safety planning priorities (5-10 minute break)
SOPs - maintaining food safety standards – business culture & training
Practical strategies for creating effective and efficient food safety practices
Required documentation for compliance (PSR v GAP)
12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 – Q&A and Individual work time with trainer assistance

Participation requirements for in-person attendees include:
• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations within one week of completing the course.

• Participants are expected to bring their own laptops to work on their individualized Farm Food Safety Plans. If you do not have a portable electronic device (laptop or tablet) to work on, please contact motodd@law.umaryland.edu to discuss options.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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