Frederick County

The workshop will feature Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landowner liability issues, right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability, and estate planning. The workshops will also involve research related to solar development by Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC.

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC)

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations

Winter/Spring 2025 Sessions

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who meet the minimum requirements ($2,500 gross agricultural income or 8 animal units) to learn how to write their own nutrient management plan (NMP). Interested producers may attend one of four sessions, see registration information below. Upon completion of this course producers will become certified to write their operation’s plan and will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
Time and Certification: This course requires a significant time commitment. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels and multiple sources of organic amendments may require additional training. Additional optional opportunities will be announced for each session during training. Farmers are required to have current soil and manure/organic tests prior to the training. To become certified, farmers must complete all coursework, pass the certification exam, and have their first nutrient management plan approved by MDA.

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 (provided for in-person courses)
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
  • Webcam (for online course)
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Web browsing
    • MS Office programs (Word, Excel), PDF readers
    • Ability to download/open/save computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program (NuMan Pro)

Cost and Accommodation:

• Space is limited, register early. Registration will close one week prior to the course date or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course) and $25 for NuMan Pro software.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training, please contact Kayla Griffith (kmgriffi@umd.edu) no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course.

Registration: Below are the four sessions that will be available during the winter and spring 2025. Register for one session only. Please pay particular attention to location, sessions are in-person or online only, there is no hybrid option. Registration is first come, first serve for those who have updated soil tests and manure tests (if applicable). Instructors reserve the right to cancel sessions that do not meet minimum registration requirements. Lunch will not be provided for in-person sessions, please plan accordingly.

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.

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council invite forage producers, grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend the upcoming Central Maryland Forage Conference in Mt. Airy, MD on January 23, 2025.

Topics for the conference will include:

• Mineral Nutrition and Practical Feeding Considerations
• Matching Mineral Nutrition to Livestock Needs
• Integrating Annual Forages as a Drought Management Strategy
• and more!

Morning refreshments will be available, and lunch is included in the price of the ticket. Doors will open at 8:30 am, and the meeting will start at 9 am.

Participants will be able to earn nutrient management certification credits and private and commercial pesticide applicator credits (amounts will be updated once credits are approved).

Registration is required to attend. Early bird pricing is available through January 14th. Attendees also have the option to renew or become a member of the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council with the purchase of a ticket to the forage conference (and receive a $5 discount off the cost of membership!). Payment is accepted by credit card or check payable to the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council.

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 301-600-3576.

This is a contest in which teams compete. Youth and coaches who wish to participate should contact the county/city 4-H office for information about team selection. Team members selected for statewide competition must be registered using the 4HOnline system and approved by their county/city 4-H office. Entries are due by November 17th. For more information on the structure of teams, please refer to the section entitled, “Teams”. 

The contest will feature Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions. Registration for the event will open soon in 4-H Online and will be due by November 17, 2024.

The rules and regulations for the 2024 contest are posted on the Maryland 4-H webpage at: Dog Bowl Rules and Information

Contact Ashley Travis at ashley90@umd.edu or Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu if you have questions

Join us for the 2024 Maryland 4-H Volunteer and Teen Forum in Ocean City, MD! 

This event is open to all 4-H volunteers, teen youth, and 4-H faculty/staff members. The Forum provides time to network and connect with others from around the state and learn more about the 4-H program's wonders. It is an excellent opportunity for 4-H teens and adults to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful leaders in their local 4-H programs and Grow and Grow. 

The Forum can also be a fun 4-H Family Getaway to Ocean City! It offers something for the whole family, from fun drop-in activities to free time on the beach or boardwalk to workshops for adults and Teens and classes for younger 4-Hers and Cloverbuds where they can learn and have fun while their parents attend activities for adults. 

The Forum provides professional development workshops, connection sessions during the day on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and fun, hands-on drop-in activities on Saturday evenings. Professional development workshops are designed for adults and teens aged 13 and older. Youth classes will also be offered on Saturdays to engage and educate.

Completed registration is due by November 21, 2024.
Hurry while space lasts.

If you require accommodation, please check that box when registering and indicate the reasonable accommodation. 

Join us on October 5th, 2024 for a family fun day at at the farm to see agriculture education in action! Events are geared for children and include tractor races, milking contest, feed bag toss, compost chaos, egg operation, and more! This family event is free to attend and is located at the Frederick County Farm Museum Fall Fest at Rose Hill Manor Park in Frederick, MD. We hope to see you there!

Maryland nutrient applicators are required under the 1998 Water Quality Act to follow guidelines on fertilizer and manure applications. Farmers applying nutrients (synthetic or organic) to 10 or more acres of land are required to have a current Nutrient Management Voucher. Vouchers are obtained by attending an approved 2-hour training course once every three years. All other certified farmers and consultants in need of continuing education credits are encouraged to attend.

Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties hold Nutrient Management Training and Recertification each year in the Fall. This year it will be a cluster event held at the Frederick Extension Office.

Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties hold Maryland Private Pesticide Applicators initial certification training and exams each year in the Fall. This year the training will be held at the Frederick Extension Office.

The training covers the basics of pesticide use, handling, and safety in preparation for the Maryland Private Pesticide Applicator's Exam, held the following week. This training is optional for those seeking a Private Pesticide License, though it is highly advised to those unfamiliar with pesticide use and safety-seeking certification.

*Please note, the optional training is Nov 7th and the Exam is Nov 14th.*

Private Applicators are required to have a recertification training session during the last year of their current three-year certification period. Recertification training provides applicators with new information on pest control, health and environmental safety, pest management technology, and changes in pesticide laws and regulations to help the applicator continue to use pesticides safely and effectively. The training must consist of a minimum of 4 credits which is the equivalent of two hours of pest or pesticide-related topics as determined by MDA and UME.

Schedule

8:15 Leave Chester Park & Ride (Under the west side of the Kent Narrows Bridge)

9:00 Arrive Davidsonville Park & Ride (Davidsonville Road, at Rt. 50/301 Exit 16)

9:30 Leave Davidsonville Park & Ride

9:55 Stop 1: Arrive Greenstreet Gardens (95 minutes) - 391 W Bay Front Road, Lothian 20711. For more information visit https://greenstreetgardens.com/

11:30 Leave Greenstreet Gardens

12:00 Stop 3: Arrive Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards (110 minutes) – 15800 Croom Road, Brandywine 20613

Lunch Location - https://www.robinhillfarmandvineyards.com/

1:50 Leave Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards

2:15 Stop 4: Arrive Montpelier Farms (75 minutes) – 1720 Robert S. Crain Hwy, Upper Marlboro 20774. For more information visit https://www.montpelierfarms.com/

3:30 Leave Montpelier Farms

3:45 Arrive Davidsonville Park & Ride

4:00 Leave Davidsonville Park & Ride

4:30 Arrive Chester Park & Ride

Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFJKEUMYMWwtncfD7

Notice of Filming and Photography - When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By attending this event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction.

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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Kate Welch at the Talbot County Extension Office at 410-822-1244 by September 19, 2024.