The Howard County Master Gardener Program would like to invite you to join us for an information session from 11AM - 12:30PM on Saturday September 26th, 2026 at our Howard County Extension Office in Columbia so that you can get acquainted with who we are, what we do, and what the application and basic training program for becoming a Master Gardener entails. 

At this session, you will get the opportunity to ask active Master Gardeners (MGs) questions about the program, the application process, and their current projects or volunteer work. We will share a short presentation covering our active projects, sites, and how our program is organized. 

If you're still interested in applying for the program, but are not able to attend on Saturday, please still indicate so on the RSVP form, linked HERE. We will share next steps with you to keep you in the loop. 

--RSVP by Tuesday September 22nd, 2026--

Topics to be covered include: pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, ag business and marketing, right-to-farm law, ag leasing, micro grant resources, NRCS cost-share resources.

Another Look, Another World is an interdisciplinary exhibition exploring how visual art may deepen our understanding of Maryland’s insect biodiversity and inspire greater appreciation for the ecological roles insects play in our environment. The exhibition is part of a University of Maryland Arts for All-funded project aimed at engaging students in science communication through art, increasing awareness of insect biodiversity and ecological roles, fostering collaboration across disciplines, evaluating changes in attendee knowledge, attitudes, and intentions, and contributing to a replicable arts-based model for conservation education.

The exhibition will highlight six Maryland insect species that are included on Maryland’s List of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animals. Original works created through the exhibition’s two different open calls will be displayed alongside science-based information about insect ecological roles, insect habitats, and key conservation actions.

Anyone, including University of Maryland students, faculty, staff, and community members, are invited to explore the exhibition, whether by creating and submitting artwork, learning more about Maryland’s insects, or simply taking another look at some small but essential organisms that shape our ecosystems. By bringing art, science, and environmental education together, Another Look, Another World seeks to create opportunities for reflection, discovery, collaboration, action, and new ways of seeing the connections between insects, people, and the places we share.

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.

These are casual “get to know you" type events where we will share a meal and get to know each other. Participants will meet the new Frederick County Agriculture Extension Agent and network with fellow farmers and community members. We will discuss challenges, celebrate successes, share experiences, and learn from others. I will also share information about extension and provide some farm safety and farm stress resources. Small Scale farmers, beginning farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and caregivers/family members are all welcome to attend! Here are the dates and locations:

• Coffee and Conversations for Veteran Farmers Saturday, August 22nd 9:30-11:30am: Twin Arch Tavern, Mount Airy, MD. (This one is a special veteran & military connected farmer/homesteader/gardener meetup to begin developing a statewide network).

   Veterans Event Registration

We also have two events for non veteran connected:

• Coffee and Conversations #1 Friday, July 24th 9-11am: Fox Haven Farm Jefferson, MD.

• Coffee and Conversations #2 Friday, August 21st 9-11am: Mountain Gate Family Restaurant Thurmont, MD.

  Register Here

This is a free event and breakfast will be provided, but space is limited. Please register in advance so we can get an accurate headcount. For inquiries or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate please contact Sara Kidd by July 10th for the Jefferson Event and August 10th for the Thurmont and Mount Airy events at skkidd@umd.edu or 301-600-3577

I would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this information to your networks or include it in your newsletter if you feel it's relevant!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

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.

Many counties, and Baltimore city, around the state start our Master Gardener basic training together in February. Curious what the basic training, and all else that becoming a Master Gardener entails? This session will cover all that and more. If you're interested in becoming a Master Gardener, this is your chance to learn all about it.

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

Join us along with South Mountain Equine veterinarians for an educational evening learning about equine chiropractic and acupuncture care, joint health, and advanced imaging in horses.
📆 APRIL 2
⏰ 6:00-8:00 pm
🧀 Refreshments will be provided

Perfect for horse owners and equine professionals!
Free to attend but you must RSVP

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.