Farmers/Producers

This course is designed for people in Maryland who are considering or in the beginning stages of starting a farm as a business.
A 10 week online course covering the foundational topics an aspiring farmer in Maryland should know.
Classes will meet on Thursday evenings, from 7 to 8:30 pm, from February 13 through April 17, 2025 online.
Course registration is $60 plus eventbrite fees of $5.87. Two people from the same family/couple may attend the course under one registration. If the registration fee is is a financial barrier, please fill out the scholarship application available through the registration link.

Welcome to the Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Online Course.

The course starts February 13, 2025 and ends April 17, 2025.

Each week there will be some required material, and some optional electives. Required material will be on core topics necessary for all kinds of aspiring farmers to have some knowledge about. Electives will offer you the opportunity to explore your unique interests and dig into more advanced material.

To incentivize completing the course,
students who complete the week's required material by noon on Thursday will be entered into a drawing to be mailed a book on a farming related topic.
Students who complete all the required material by 5 pm EST April 24, 2025 will get a certificate of completion.
Each Thursday night, from 7 to 8:30 pm, we will have a live class. All classes will be held online via the software Zoom.

At this field day you will get to see a rainwater harvesting system built onto a high tunnel (hoop house), which uses gutters, IBC totes, and rain barrels to collect and store rainwater. A drip irrigation system then waters crops in the high tunnel with the collected rainwater. The system also tests two different water treatment technologies to reduce the risk of human pathogens affecting the crops being irrigated with the rainwater.

This demonstration and research project is funded by USDA-NIFA and has been implemented by a multi-organization team led by Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein's Water Quality, Outreach, and Wellness Lab: https://sph.umd.edu/research-impact/laboratories-projects-and-programs/…

Attendance at this program will fulfill the requirements for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification and Nutrient Management Voucher Training.

When it comes to adding color and texture to your living space, look no further than houseplants. In this presentation, University of Maryland Extension Horticulture Educator Ginny Rosenkranz will discuss the top 10 picks for easy houseplants and dive into the deep end of sprucing up our indoor spaces.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 6, 2025.

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.

Using winter salt to provide safe roads, parking lots, and sidewalks during ice or snow storms is common in Maryland, with the vast majority used on roads. However, many times too much winter salt is used during winter storms. Many people think salt is there to melt snow or ice and tend to follow the more is better philosophy, but that’s not what salt’s primary job is. Over-salting doesn’t help, it’s throwing money down the drain! Join Extension Specialist Dr. Andrew Lazur, who will discuss, melting snow and ice safely to protect our waterways.

Join the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners in Queen Anne's County for our Annual Seed Swap and Garden Day on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Kent Island Branch of the Queen Anne's County Public Library. This event is free and open to everyone. 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 activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 7, 2025.

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.

The Master of Extension Education features a multi-disciplinary program with core courses focused on principles of Extension in needs assessment, program development, evaluation, and social science research methodology as well as a suite of supportive elective courses in a variety of Extension specialty areas. Graduates with Extension education experiences are prepared for dynamic careers in secondary and post-secondary education, non-profits, government, and leadership roles in enterprise. please join us in one of our open house to know about our programs.

*Highly recommended If you are interested in applying to begin the program in 2025

The school offers a 2 ½-day in person format with a variety of breakout sessions. Individuals needing training in soil and water, nutrient management, crop management, and pest management can create their own schedule by choosing from 5 program options offered each hour. Emphasis is placed on new and advanced information with group discussion and interaction encouraged.

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 (Directions: Participants will meet in the new teaching and research building at 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. After turning from Folly Quarter Road make the first left and continue around the building to park.)
Cost: $30 for the day, paid by September 27, 2024 via check to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, covers materials and a box lunch.
Description: Hands-on activities to enhance any certified farmer or certified nutrient management consultant’s skill set. This year’s session will focus on topics most relevant to diverse agricultural operations. Topics to be covered include: Dr. Amanda Grev: "Pasture and Hay Management,” UMD Ag Nutrient Management Program: “Corn yield checks,” MDA Q&A during lunch, and UMD Ag Nutrient Management Program: “Manure Spreader Calibration.” CEUs: 4 hours of credit toward consultants’ or operators’ continuing education
requirement will be earned from full participation in this event.
Who should attend: Certified nutrient management consultants/operators and any individual interested in learning hands-on aspects of nutrient management are encouraged to attend.
For more information: Email Kayla Griffith at kmgriffi@umd.edu
Register online:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhB5JENEREw3k7e-AypjnyFpI9WKaW5T_EELxuuYbLnXPCbQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 (Payment link, agenda, and directions will be sent to registrants)