Montgomery County

Event: Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm
Date: August 6, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Plow and Stars Farm, 14010 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and the Million Acre Challenge for an educational pasture walk at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD (Montgomery county). Plow and Stars Farm raises grass-fed Katahdin lamb and poultry with a focus on diversified grazing and soil health practices. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: multi-species grazing, virtual fencing, transitioning conventional grain fields to regenerative agriculture, and silvopasture. Key soil health practices will be discussed, including improved nutrient cycling from diverse manure sources, enhanced soil structure, and increased soil organic matter. The workshop will also feature a demonstration of the Maryland Soil Health Card to assess physical and biological indicators of soil health, and monitor the outcomes of soil management practices .
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwAugust

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

The in-person meeting will be held at the University of Maryland Extension office in Derwood, MD. Topics include: UV light and predictive tool use for sustainable dollar spot management, invasive plant suppression, invasive insect pests, critical landscape diseases, controlled release fertilizers, and an update on Maryland Department of Agriculture's pesticide regulations.

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.

Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Blue Moon Farm in Gaithersburg, MD (Montgomery county).

Dave and Ellen Quirk have set up a small-scale rotational grazing system for their horses and are working on improving the soil health an fertility of their pastures with an on-farm composting system. Discussion will include practical pasture management for horses, soil health in pasture systems, and composting and spreading manure on pastures as a fertility source.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

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 us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.
 

Get free gardening advice! Visit the Derwood Demonstration Garden. Bring your gardening questions to the Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic. And learn about other MG sustainable gardening programs.  

This course will provide an update on best management practices for soil conservation and nutrient management and provide information on current topics affecting the equine community.

• Regulatory and Legal Update: MDA New AIR, PMT, MACS

• Manure Management

• Pasture and Hay Management

• Effect of Grazing on Soil Nutrient Levels

• And more!

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

Founded in 1949, the Montgomery County Agricultural Center has been home to the Montgomery County Fair since its creation. Sitting on 62 acres, the Fair has more than 50 buildings that are filled with more than 5,000 animals every year. The Fair has animals, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, and many others for the whole family to enjoy.
 

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.