Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management is a workshop conducted by the University of Maryland Extension Agricultural Nutrient Management Program that provides participants with hands-on farming and nutrient management related activities including yield and moisture estimates of grain crops, harvest machinery overview and demonstration, and compost and cover crop application to fields.

9:00-9:30 -     Registration

9:30-12:00 - This session will provide a practical overview of key post-season grain crop management and harvest evaluation activities. Participants will review common grain crop yield estimate procedures, examine a combine and its major components, and observe the machine harvesting a grain crop in the field. The program will also include a comparison of moisture readings taken with a hand test moisture meter and those recorded by the combine yield monitor to highlight accuracy and calibration considerations. In addition, attendees will see post-harvest field operations including compost application, broadcast seeding of a cover crop, and vertical tillage used to incorporate the compost and cover crop seed into the soil. 

12:00-12:30- Lunch

12:30-1:00-   MDA Nutrient Management Update

1:00-3:30-     This session will provide participants with an overview of vegetable production and harvest, and view the vegetable harvesting conveyor.  The program will end with an overview of the production of compost on the farm and the planning process for fall applications.

CEUs: 5.5 hours of credit toward consultants’ or operators’ continuing education requirement will be earned from full participation in this event.

Join fellow farmers, industry representatives and Extension Agents for a day of learning about forages, grazing, and cropping systems. Equipment demonstrations will occur throughout the day. Walk 9 different annual warm season forage grass plots. 

This will be an informal tour, with plenty of opportunity to discuss your crop and forage questions with other growers. Handouts and other brochures will be available. 

Directions: The farm is located off of Route 6 in the Charlotte Hall area. Take Rt. 5 south toward Leonardtown. Turn right onto Rt 6 and proceed 2 miles. Turn left onto Farmland Place. Proceed to the first farm on the right. 

Private Applicator Pesticide Credits and Nutrient Voucher Credits Approved 

This session will cover the 8 keystone habits of the Bay-Wise Living Landscape Metric, and tell you more about steps involved in getting your landscape certified as Bay-Wise.

The University of Maryland Extension offers a free weekly, expert-backed program series designed specifically for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, covering critical topics such as communication in dementia care, healthcare in senior years, managing someone else's money, The MIND diet - boosting brain power with food, food poisoning prevention and rest and relief for caregivers.

Multiple date options:

1. Option 1: Six sessions running April 2, 9 & 16 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

2. Option 2: Six sessions running May 6, 13, 20 10 am - noon

Every Marylander lives within a watershed and has a role to play in caring for the land, water, air, wildlife, and each other. Every action we take, every small positive change we make to improve water quality, soil health, and habitat counts in a big way. Learn about the actions you can take in your yard using the newly updated Bay-Wise Living Landscapes Metric.

The Patterson House and Gardens at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum completed a multi-year renovation in 2025. Join the park horticulturalist for a virtual tour of the 64 varieties of plants brought back to two formal gardens designed by pioneering female landscape architects in the 1930's.

Never buy seeds again! Come learn how to harvest, process, and preserve seeds from your favorite garden vegetables, herbs and flowers to use next year. Hands-on activities included!

Grafting allows gardeners to utilize genetic components of multiple varieties in a single plant. Come learn how to graft fruit plants such as apples, tomatoes, and more, through discussion and hands-on activities.

Event:  Southern Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 20, 2026  |   Tuesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost: Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Calvert County Fair, 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-St. Mary's Office at 301-475-4484. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-475-4484.
For more information Ben Beale at (301) 475-4481 (bbeale@umed.edu), Dave Myers at (301) 226-7473 (myersd@umd.edu), Hayden Schug at (301) 226-7502 (hschug@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/smdforage