Hear from high tunnel experts on essential structural considerations, integrated pest management strategies, innovative techniques and best practices for maximizing profitability. Learn about high tunnel cost-share programs from an NRCS representative. Attendees will have the opportunity to rotate between speakers, gaining comprehensive insights into successfully managing high tunnels and acquiring knowledge that will empower them on their farming journey!

The delightful hum of lawnmowers is right around the corner. Soon we’ll be tackling all of those outdoor tasks that have been calling our names during the cold winter months. As we transition into warmer days, our 2024 summer “Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics” will be traveling around the county to various events and open houses. This is a great opportunity to have Master Gardeners help with all your questions about gardening, from garden pests, to plant problems, to selecting the perfect native plants, and beneficial insects. Master Gardeners will be on hand to give tips and tricks to make your home garden flourish, help troubleshoot tricky growing situations, and offer encouragement on creating the perfect garden for your space. These events are free and open to the public.

Dates/Topics:
Saturday, May 4, 2024 Topic: “Bay-Wise” Gardening
Place: Greenwood Creek Nursery (201 Bennett Point Road Queenstown, MD 21658)
Time: From 10 am to 2 pm

Saturday, June 1, 2024 Topic: “Pollinators”
Place: A Little Farm & Nursery (100 Davidson Drive Stevensville, MD 21666)
Time: From 9 am to noon

Saturday, June 22, 2024 Topic: National Pollinator Week
Place: Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery (703 Love Point Road Stevensville, MD 21666)
Time: From 9 am to noon

For further information please call or make reasonable accommodations to participate in these events email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu at least two weeks before the events or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners

University 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

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

Youth contestants must have an approved enrollment in 4-H Online for the 2024 4-H program year and have yet to compete in the category at the 4-H Horse Communications contest at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup (Louisville, KY) or Western National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Complete event information and rules can be found on the Maryland 4-H website at https://go.umd.edu/4Hhorse

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿

Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the registration, log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website.

All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Local 4-H Educators and the State 4-H Event Manager will verify and approve registrations. Contact your local 4-H office or visit the Maryland 4-H website for more information.

Join Bradley Hills Village members at the Connie Morella Library in Bethesda where Florence Williams will lead us through an investigation into the restorative benefits of nature. She'll draw on cutting-edge research and her explorations to examine the relationship between nature and human cognition, mood and creativity. Williams in a journalist, author and podcaster. The Nature Fix was an Audible bestseller and was named a top summer read by J.P. Morgan. She is a contributing editor of Outside Magazine and a free lance writer for the New York Times and other publications. A Fellow at the Center for Humans and Nature and a visiting scholar at George Washington Univeristy, her work focuses on environment, health and science.

This year’s Poultry Grower Expo will include a tradeshow with 25+ businesses and several educational sessions throughout the day, including generators, generator maintenance, energy savings, solar opportunities, heater repair, and summer readiness.

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) Online Course

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Spring 2024: April 1st-May 3rd “Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan”

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who use commercial fertilizer and/or manure to learn how to write nutrient management plans (NMPs) for their operation that meet Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations.

Please Advise: The course requires a minimum time commitment of 15-20 hours over 5 weeks. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels may require additional training and a larger time commitment. Farmers should have soil and manure analyses prior to the second week of training.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology:
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Familiarity with web browsing
    • Experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel),PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat or similar)
    • Ability to download/open/save/retrieve computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program(NuMan Pro)

You will receive:

• Access to the Online Course – Administered via the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management Systems (ELMS-Canvas).
• A comprehensive training binder (electronic version- Google Drive Folder) –Consists of all materials referenced throughout the course, compiled in one place.
• NuMan Pro software
• Certification – Producers who pass the exam and complete development of their NMP will be certified by MDA to write their own NMPs.
• Voucher training credits – This class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.

Cost and Registration Information:

• Space is limited therefore, register early. Registration will close on 3/27/24 or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than3/27/24) and $25 for NuMan Pro Software
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training please contact Kayla Griffith(kmgriffi@umd.edu) prior to 4/25/24.
• To register for the Spring 2024 FTC Online offering April 2024-May 2024 (see course outline below), go to https://go.umd.edu/april24OnlineFTC

Join ROPTA as we identify the factors that cause pain, an overview of the different types of pain, and some strategies for managing pain.

Come celebrate Earth Day with the Department of Environmental Science and Technology as we explore Justice, Innovation and Equity – Shaping a Sustainable Future! Join us Monday, April 22, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, in the Animal Science Courtyard. Our event is open to all, including students, alumni, faculty and staff. Hope to see you there!

Learn more: https://enst.umd.edu/earth-day/

Tentative Schedule:

Keynote Speaker: 4:00 - 5:00
Panel Discussion: 5:00-5:45
Earth Expo–Tables & Lightning Introduction Round: 5:45 - 6:00
Networking Mixer: 6:00 - 7:00