This accelerator program will host an eight-week cohort focused on business planning, marketing, and financial strategies. This course is not for beginners looking to gain basic knowledge of agriculture or business planning. If you are looking for educational resources to help you start a business, please check out our Maryland Beginning Farmer Success program.

If you are a current farmer or food entrepreneur, please apply to participate in an intermediate course designed to help you take actionable steps towards achieving your business goals, securing funding, and expanding their market reach.

The next round of the course starts Sept 28 and ends Nov. 20, 2026.  
You will complete online coursework at your own pace. Extension faculty will meet with you via Zoom office hours to discuss your goals and provide feedback on your draft materials.

At the end of the course, a professional business consultant will review your plan and provide tailored feedback from a financing perspective.

This training is offered at no cost to you, thanks to a grant from AgriProspects, a project of the Extension Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

University Programs, Activities, and Facilities are avaiaalbe 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. 

Join University of Maryland Extension for a two-hour webinar evaluating capitalization versus expense decisions using current IRS guidance and court precedent. Determining whether a business cost should be expensed or capitalized is one of the most judgment-intensive and frequently challenged areas of tax compliance. The classification of expenditures directly affects taxable income, financial statements, audit risk, and long-term planning strategies—making it a critical issue for tax and accounting professionals. Presented by former IRS Technical Advisor and Certified Fraud Examiner Susan Harper. 

Join University of Maryland Extension for a two-hour webinar evaluating capitalization versus expense decisions using current IRS guidance and court precedent. Determining whether a business cost should be expensed or capitalized is one of the most judgment-intensive and frequently challenged areas of tax compliance. The classification of expenditures directly affects taxable income, financial statements, audit risk, and long-term planning strategies—making it a critical issue for tax and accounting professionals. Presented by former IRS Technical Advisor and Certified Fraud Examiner Susan Harper. 

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.

Meet with members of our faculty to discuss our programs. You will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Learn which plants produce easy to save seeds; how to know when seeds are mature to harvest; best practices for cleaning, drying and storing seeds; and which seeds are best to save and which to avoid. 

Share what your grow! Participants are encouraged to donate a portion of self saved seeds to any Allegany County Library location at their free seed library. 

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 other legally protected class.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate any program or event, please contact our office, at least two weeks prior, at 301-724-3320.

Join University of Maryland Extension for a two-hour webinar exploring the various forms of retirement plans designed for small business owners.  It is extremely important to stay up to date on the constant changes to retirement plans. This webinar equips you to confidently guide small-business clients toward retirement plan decisions that align with their business operations. Presented by Mark Ribas, CPA, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Tax Institutes, Inc., and a retired IRS Internal Revenue Agent with 38 years of federal tax experience.

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a lightly fizzy, fermented tea made with tea, sugar, and a live culture known as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). The fermentation process creates a refreshing beverage that contains beneficial organic acids and live cultures.

During this class, you'll learn the science behind fermentation, proper brewing techniques, essential food safety practices, and how to confidently brew your own kombucha at home. Best of all, you'll leave with your very own Kombucha Brewing Kit so you can begin brewing right away! Come sip, learn, and ferment with us—we look forward to seeing you!

This event will be held in person and online via Zoom. Be sure to select the appropriate ticket!

Food Safety: Capture the Flavor Healthy Cooking with Herbs and Spices

Join us for a fun and informative online event where we'll explore the world of healthy cooking with herbs and spices! Learn how to enhance the flavor of your dishes while keeping them safe to eat. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, there's something for everyone in this session. Healthy Cooking using culinary herbs and spices!

September is Food Safety Awareness Month ! We Welcome you to our online event on Food Safety: Fall Food Safety, Nutrition and Wellness Tips! Join us on Thursday, September 3rd at 11:30 AM EDT to learn about how to keep your food safe and healthy this fall season. Our experts will share nutrition and wellness tips to help you make the most of your meals. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and improve your well-being. Register now and get ready to dive into the world of food safety!