Queen Anne's

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day, in-person workshops on Feb 26th at Chesapeake College and March 12th in Boonsboro. The Cultivating Knowledge Together: Maryland’s Peer-Powered Land Use workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is required to attend. This program is complimentary and made possible through a Northeast Risk Management Education Center grant.

Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC, and Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law, will lead the workshops, covering topics such as leasing land, renewable energy policy implications, estate planning, and zoning, among other topics. Through interactive elements like live polling and case scenario decision-making, participants will actively engage with the material, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the processes and considerations involved in making informed land use decisions.

"These workshops offer a unique opportunity for landowners to connect and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing, especially relevant in the context of owning farmland in the age of renewable energy development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of land ownership and valuable connections," said Thilmany.

Complimentary breakfast refreshments, coffee, and lunch will be provided during the workshops. Check-in begins at 9 am, with the workshops running from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop dates and locations are:

February 26, Chesapeake College, 110 Higher Education Center, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, and
March 12, Washington County’s University of Maryland Extension Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.

For more information or to register, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/events. For more information, reach out to Elizabeth Thilmany at thilmany@umd.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.

This is a free half-day seminar from 8 am to 2 pm. The agenda for the day includes presentations covering key topics such as the direction and future of organic production, insights into organic grain markets, and navigating certification, regulations, and requirements. Additionally, there will be a farmer roundtable discussion featuring panelists representing various aspects of organic farming, including grain, vegetable, animal, and research. Light breakfast refreshments and lunch will be served.

Please join us on National Ag Day for a FREE film screening of this documentary film on soil health and climate change, hosted by UMD Extension and Talbot County in conjunction with the University of Delaware. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with conservation and farming experts who will discuss the film and answer audience questions.

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6pm-8pm

Where: Avalon Theatre (40 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601)

Register: Register at: https://forms.gle/d9xzaMkTvPqYFudp9

Farmers around the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays are leaders in environmental stewardship. Many of the practices are used to protect
and promote healthy soils while also safeguarding working lands against extremes posed by climate change. This film follows three
family-owned farming operations on the Delmarva Peninsula who all care about and depend on soil.

View the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J095-ClDT-k

Registration Includes:
• Course Materials (PowerPoint Slides & Handouts)

• Light breakfast & Lunch (covered by registration fee)

Who Should Attend?
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety.

Psst... If you attended one of the PSR Grower Trainings in 2024, you can register for this workshop for FREE.

What to Expect at this Lab & Lecture?
The trainers will cover content related to Farm Food Safety Plan writing

The Lab & Lecture format involves a combination of traditional lecture-style learning (presentations with question & answer and discussion) and hands-on learning (expsoure to equipment, tools, faciities that provide practical knowledge for implementation of the lecture principles).

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss their questions with experienced professionals in the food safety realm from the University of Maryland Plant Science & Food Safety Lab, Univeristy of Maryland Extension, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiaitve.

Agenda
9:30 – 10:00 am - Check-in & Refreshment

10:00 – 10:15 am - Welcome & Introduction (Margaret Todd, Esq., ALEI)

10:15 am – 12:00 pm:

Key components of a farm food safety plan
Using risk assessments to help guide food safety planning priorities (5-10 minute break)
SOPs - maintaining food safety standards – business culture & training
Practical strategies for creating effective and efficient food safety practices
Required documentation for compliance (PSR v GAP)
12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 – Q&A and Individual work time with trainer assistance

Participation requirements for in-person attendees include:
• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations within one week of completing the course.

• Participants are expected to bring their own laptops to work on their individualized Farm Food Safety Plans. If you do not have a portable electronic device (laptop or tablet) to work on, please contact motodd@law.umaryland.edu to discuss options.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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The IAA offers nine majors to jump-start your career in agribusiness, sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, horticulture, landscaping, turfgrass management, or ag communications. We will explore areas of study, financial aid and scholarships, world-class facilities, campus life, and more!

This course is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field.

There is plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with your presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow and meet other women in agriculture.

Mid Shore Maryland

6 sessions, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Wednesdays, February 21, 2024 - March 27, 2024

Location: QAC Extension Office

505 Railroad Avenue, Suite 4 Centreville, MD 21617

Virtual Option

6 sessions, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Wednesdays, February 21, 2024 - March 27, 2024

Location: Zoom

*reading and project assignments outside of class time about 1 hour per week

For more information call Shannon Dill at 410-822-1244 (sdill@umd.edu) or Jenny Rhodes at 410-758-0166 (jrhodes@umd.edu) or visit the website at www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project. 

Register online at: https://2024annies.eventbrite.com

Annie’s Project is approved for FSA Borrower Training which includes an additional workbook requirement.  Please contact Shannon Dill at 410-822-1244 for more information.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Shannon Dill at 410-822-1244  on or before February 7, 2024.

Join the University of Maryland Extension - Queen Anne's County Master Gardeners for our annual seed swap and garden day. You do not need to bring seeds to receive seeds. Please label any seeds you bring so that other swappers know what they are getting. Seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event or activity, please contact us at (410) 758-0166 or email Rachel Rhodes at rjrhodes@umd.edu by Monday, January 29, 2024.

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.

This course is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field.

There is plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with your presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow and meet other women in agriculture.

Mid Shore Maryland
6 sessions, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Wednesdays, February 22, 2023 - March 29, 2023
Location: QAC Extension Office
505 Railroad Avenue, Suite 4 Centreville, MD 21617

Virtual Option
6 sessions, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesdays, February 22, 2023 - March 29, 2023
Location: Zoom
*reading and project assignments outside of class time about 1 hour per week

For more information call Shannon Dill at 410-822-1244 (sdill@umd.edu) or Jenny Rhodes at 410-758-0166 (jrhodes@umd.edu) or visit the website at www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project.

Register online at: https://2024annies.eventbrite.com

Annie’s Project is approved for FSA Borrower Training which includes an additional workbook requirement.  Please contact Shannon Dill at 410-822-1244 for more information.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Shannon Dill  on or before February 7, 2024.

Stop by the Queen Anne’s Public Library in Kent Island on the second Saturday of every month from February to April from 10 am to noon with all your questions about gardening, garden pests, plant problems, and insects. Master Gardeners will be on hand to give tips and tricks to make your home garden flourish, help troubleshoot tricky growing situations, and offer encouragement on creating the perfect garden for your space.

Dates/Topics: 
February 10, 2024 “Spring Vegetable Gardens”
March 9, 2024 “Starting Seeds” 
April 13, 2024 “Lawn Care to-do’s”

For further information please call or reasonable accommodations to participate in this event email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator,  Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners 
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.

MD and DE continuing education credits in nutrient management, private and commercial pesticide applicator, and CCA. Free event! Light breakfast and hot lunch included.