This program consists of a Training Day and an Exam/Signoff Day.  This training day, Thursday, October 1^st 2026, will consist of learning the plan-writing process. After the training day, you will have about 5 weeks, during which time you will study the Nursery Nutrient Management Training Manual and develop your plan. The Exam/Signoff Day will be at a location and on a date “to be announced”. This date will also be for reviewing your newly developed plan (or renewing your old plan). You must write a plan for Maryland Dept of Agriculture (MDA) to become certified. 

The process is relatively simple for small (or low-risk) operations, so if your operation size is less than 5 acres, we would strongly encourage you to think about becoming a certified operator.  If your operation is larger than 5 acres or you run a controlled environment, we would still encourage you to become a certified operator, even though the nutrient management process may be a little more complicated. For nutrient management consultants who wish to learn more about the process for developing nutrient management plans for greenhouses and container crop production, this workshop will offer 6 hours of continuing education credits. 

The cost for this program is $40.00 and includes program costs (including lunch) and the MDA exam fee ($20). For consultants not taking the exam, the cost is $20. Payment will be required at the beginning of the program. A check can be made out to University of Maryland. A receipt will be available. 

If you wish to register, please do so before September 25^th, 2026 by using this link HERE. If you have questions, please send an email to me or call me at 301-226-7835.  If you need any accommodations for this program, please contact me by September 21st.

Wye Research and Education Center is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, about 20 minutes from the Bay Bridge. A map to WyeREC can be found HERE. Note the circled area on the map; we will be at the WyeREC Office and Lab location.

Live Online Learning Opportunity

If you would like the opportunity to learn from home, yet still be engaged, then be sure to enroll in this class!

Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification
Thursday April 8, 2027 6:00-8:00 pm

This session will focus on fertility and production related topics for all field crops, fruits and vegetables. This ZOOM recertification session will be live via the internet directly from the University of Maryland.

This meeting will provide Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification. 

Registration is required by April 6th is required in order to receive Zoom, login instructions.

To register, please complete the Google Form Online Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification.

Live Online Learning Opportunity 

If you would like the opportunity to learn from home, yet still be engaged, then be sure to enroll in this class!

Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification
Thursday April 1, 2027 6:00-8:00pm

The session will focus on pesticide use and related topics for all field crops, fruits and vegetables. This ZOOM recertification session will be live via the internet directly from the University of Maryland.

This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification. 

Registration is required by March 30th in order to receive ZOOM login instructions.

To register, please complete the Google Form Online Private Applicator Recertification.

If you have allowed your Private Pesticide Applicator Certification to expire or are  a new applicant, then you are invited to attend the  Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training and Examination.

It’s a two-step process:
Step 1: A Private Applicator Certification Training will be conducted at the Anne Arundel Extension Office, 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2027

Step 2: A Private Pesticide Applicator Exam will be given at the Anne Arundel Extension Office, 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2027.

Registration is required. To register, please complete the Google Form Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Exam.

The workshop will explore advanced fruit and vegetable production practices focusing on sustainability, food security and integrated pest management tactics. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification.

Tuesday, March 9, 2027, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Anne Arundel County Extension Office at 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054.
To register, please complete the Google Form IPM Workshop March 9, 2027.

The workshop will explore advanced fruit and vegetable production practices focusing on sustainability, food security and integrated pest management tactics. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification.

Thursday, December 17, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 p.m at the Anne Arundel County Extension Office at 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054.
To register, please complete the Google Form IPM Workshop December 17, 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.

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. 

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, and equestrians are all welcome to attend! Here are the dates and locations:

• 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

• 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

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 annual Advanced Landscape IPM PHC Short Course is a recertification short course for arborists, landscapers, IPM consultants, horticulturalists, professional gardeners, and others responsible for urban plant management. The course lectures will be in-person this year. In addition, there will be an in-person hands-on lab (available to a limited number of course attendees). Coordinators: Drs. Paula Shrewsbury and Mike Raupp, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland.​