Carroll County

Join University of Maryland Extension, Maryland DNR Forest Service, and the Maryland Chapter of the American Tree Farm System for a guided walk through Jim and Donna Davis's tree farm and paw paw orchard.

Owned since 1996, this 41-acre parcel is managed by Jim and Donna Davis for multiple goals, including carbon, orchard income, and an array of wildlife habitat. Learn about how the property owners have utilized cost-sharing programs, conservation easements, and the American Tree Farm System to help achieve their ownership goals.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension. Event is free but pre-registration is required.

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 Daniel Pratson (dpratson@umd.edu; 301-226-7577) at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

The University of Maryland Extension, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative will host a free workshop, “Understanding Eminent Domain,” on Wednesday March 25, at 6:00 p.m. at Baltimore County Ag Center in Cockeysville, Maryland. The workshop is designed to help landowners better understand how eminent domain and utility easements may affect their property, particularly in relation to proposed electric transmission lines. There is no cost to attend, but registration is encouraged by March 20.
This educational program will explain how eminent domain works, what landowners can expect during utility easement negotiations, and the options available to protect landowner rights and pursue fair compensation. The session is intended for landowners, farmers, and community members who want to be informed and prepared when facing potential infrastructure projects affecting private property.
“Landowners often have questions and concerns when approached about easements or potential transmission projects,” said Paul Goeringer, Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law with the University of Maryland. “This workshop provides practical, plain-language information to help landowners understand the process and make informed decisions.”
Participants can register online at https://go.umd.edu/BCEminWork. For additional information, interested individuals may email lgoering@umd.edu.

Each year, the University of Maryland Extension agriculture programs from across the state organize educational sessions related to agronomy and fruit, vegetable and forage production for growers and other agriculture professionals to benefit the community. These sessions help our farmers and agriculture community keep current with up-to-date information about timely agriculture-related topics. 2025 pest management review and a look ahead to 2026, pesticide regulation and nutrient management updates from MDA, the latest agronomic research updates, planning for the farm's next generation, wheat management, and an update on new technologies. Nutrient management certification credits, private applicator pesticide credits will be available.

The meeting will be held on January 21, 2026 at the Hereford Fire Hall- Summit Manor at 510 Monkton Rd., Monkton, MD 21111. Numerous commercial displays and representatives will be there to discuss new products and plans for the upcoming year.

This meeting serves as Recertification for Maryland private pesticide applicators and offers recertification credits for Pennsylvania recertification. Also, producers can attend specific presentations to renew their Maryland nutrient applicator’s voucher.

The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. to visit commercial exhibits and refreshments. The presentations begin at 8:25 am and will end with lunch at noon.
Cost of the event is $25.00 if you pre-register. The meeting location is conveniently located about 1 mile east of I-83 via Mt. Carmel Rd. and right onto York Rd.
You can get more information, or if you need special accommodations, please call the Baltimore County Office of the University of Maryland Extension at our phone number 410-887-8090.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC), University of Maryland Extension, and the Ag Law Education Initiative will host three one-day workshops on Jan. 13th in Mountain Lake Park, Jan. 27th at the Central MD Research and Education Center, and Feb. 11 at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center, in the English Room. The Farm Succession and Estate Planning workshops will be from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

The free program will assist Maryland farm families in starting the estate planning process, including creating a successful succession plan, having difficult conversations, and health insurance options for farmers. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The workshop will feature Dr. Jesse Ketterman, Senior Agent, Dr. Alex Chan, Senior Agent, and a Farm Succession Coordinator, and Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law.

“Farm families often want to plan for the future but don’t always know where to start,” said Paul Goeringer. “These workshops give Maryland landowners the tools, confidence, and practical guidance they need to begin building a succession plan that protects both their operations and their families for generations to come.”
Lunch is provided with the workshops. Each workshop will begin at 9:45 am with a check-in, and the workshops will run from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. The dates and locations are:

January 13, Garrett County University of Maryland Extension Office, 1916 MD-135, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550.

January 27, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 671, Ellicott City, MD 21042, and

February 11, Eastern Shore Hospital Center, English Room, 5262 Woods Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.

Participants will receive copies of Extension fact sheets and other valuable documents as a part of the workshop series.

Topics include:
Scouting/Field Assessment Technology
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
Pest Management
Animal Waste Technology
Irrigation & Drainage
Livestock Management

Presentation topics: New EPA label requirements, IPM Planning in Row Crops, Grain Marketing, Sulphur Management, MDA Nutrient Management Updates, and MDA Pesticide Updates. Light freshments and catered lunch.

Wondering when to start thawing your turkey, how long leftovers are safe to eat, or how to bake safely for a crowd? Food safety experts will include  Dr. Shauna Henley of the University of Maryland, and Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson of North Dakota State University. Ask your toughest culinary questions so you can cook with confidence!

Contest Details

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Start Time: 8:00 am
Location: Carroll County Agriculture Center, 706 Agricultural Drive, Westminster, Maryland
Registration dates: August 25 - September 19, 2025

Eligibility
This contest is open to 4-H youth members who have an approved enrollment before July 1, 2025, and are enrolled in one of the following 4-H Shooting Sports projects:

Shooting Sports - Archery
Shooting Sports - General
4-H members who are not enrolled in one of these Shooting Sports projects may not compete.

Each 4-H youth contestant may participate in ONE of the following matches:

Recurve Bow
Compound Bow

Eligible 4-H members must be recommended by their Shooting Sports Instructor as having sufficient proficiency at Archery to compete in this contest at the distances listed safely. The local 4-H Educator must approve 4-H youth member registrations before they will be forwarded to the State 4-H Office.

Junior Contestant, Senior Contestant, Adult Coach, Intermediate Contestant

Adult Coaches must be enrolled UME 4-H Volunteers who are currently certified as 4-H Shooting Sports Archery Instructors.

Complete contest information and rules can be found in the Event Information Button below.

How to Register

Registration for this event is through the 4-H Online State 4-H Archery Match event. To access the registration:

Log in to your 4-H Online family profile. https://v2.4honline.com/
Click on the Events tab on the left sidebar menu.
Click the blue Register button under the event graphic and follow the registration steps.

You can find a step-by-step 4-H Online Event Registration help guide on the Maryland 4-H website. You can also contact your local 4-H office if you have questions or need assistance with event registration.

All event registrations must be submitted by September 19, 2025, by 11:59 pm. Registrations will be verified and approved by local 4-H Educators.

Join us as we celebrate the incredible diversity of insects through fun, hands-on learning for all ages. Whether you are fascinated by bugs or just a little curious, this event is designed to be welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We recognize that people have a wide range of experiences and comfort levels with insects—and that is okay! Our goal is to help you explore your personal connection with these animals and leave with a new appreciation for the vital role they play in our world.

This free, family-friendly event will take place indoors and outdoors at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia, MD. The event will feature the University of Maryland Insect Zoo, insect crafts and hands-on activities, educational displays, and local environmental education groups including the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program, the Community Ecology Institute, and more!