Farmers/Producers

Grain farmers and ag professionals are encouraged to join University of Maryland Extension for this educational program focusing on production agronomy. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and the program starts at 9:30 a.m. Guest speakers include regional experts and University of Maryland faculty covering topics such as: Ag law and regulatory update; PFAS in farmland; Weed management updates; Tar spot update and pest management strategies; Regional ag agency and agribusiness updates; and MDA pesticide and nutrient management update

You're invited to the 8th Annual Urban Farmer Winter Meeting, organized by UMD Extension.
Attend this annual professional development event to be updated on the latest local issues and research results.

This year we will meet at Allen AME Church, in Baltimore, MD. A big thank you to them for allowing us to meet in their space this year.

Draft agenda:
- Panel on land access
- Allen AME's experiences with community development through gardening
- Updates from new Urban Agriculture Extension Specialists
- Preliminary results of rainwater harvesting and treatment research
- Dinner and networking
More to be announced soon!

Registration and attendance options
In person attendance is capped at 60. This event will also be broadcast online. In the event of inclement weather, we will move the event fully online.

Registration is $15, plus eventbrite fees. This registration fee enables us to pay for dinner for in-person attendees and for the broadcast equipment to enable online attendance.

If this cost is a financial barrier to your participation, please fill out this scholarship application: https://ume.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5BwkBtD8wSdTNdQ

The 2025 Agronomy Meeting will take place at 4:00 pm on February 20, 2025, at the Caroline County 4-H & Youth Park, located at 8230 Detour Rd., Denton, Md. 21629.

Learning sessions in weed control, grain production, cover cropping, drone spraying and carbon in Maryland soils.

MD and DE continuing education credits in nutrient management, private and commercial pesticide applicator and CCA.

Free event! Light Breakfast starting at 8:00am and a hot lunch.

For questions or to request special accommodations email Sarah Hirsh at shirsh@umd.edu by Jan 8, 2025

The use of deicing salts and rising sea level is increasingly making our surface and ground water more saline. This issue has major implications on aquatic ecosystems and the numerous species that depend on them. In addition, increasing salinity can increase corrosion with subsequent infrastructure damage and releasing toxic metals in our drinking water. This webinar will discuss the impact of this issue, ways to reduce impacts and protect drinking water quality.

Wells are a significant source of drinking water for Americans. Well water is not regulated as are public water supplies, and therefore the well owner is responsible to test, if necessary, treat the water. This webinar will cover basic well design and types, wellhead protection measures, how to test your well and review basic water filtration.

Plastics have been around for decades and as they break down into small particles, micro and nano plastics pollution is everywhere. This includes air, rain, surface and groundwater, animals, plants, some of the foods we eat, and even in human body tissue. Tune into this webinar to learn more about how we can reduce our exposure while being better stewards of our environment.

Ponds of any size and type are dynamic aquatic ecosystems. Warmer water temperatures may create additional concern for ponds and water quality. Excessive aquatic plant growth, and low oxygen are a few examples. This webinar will present basic pond management principles and practices to keep ponds healthy.

PFAS is a huge global pollution issue that will be with for many decades or longer. These ‘forever chemicals’ are also everywhere and are causing human health issues and impacting our environment. There are dozens of research studies ongoing to help us know more about the risks of PFAS and also how to reduce our exposure. Tune into this webinar to hear the latest on this contaminant and what you can do.

Is your septic system old and in need of replacement? Join this webinar to learn more about how advanced treatment units (ATU) can provide benefits to the environment and public health. Also, learn about Maryland’s Bay Restoration Fund grant program to help replace septic tanks with advanced treatment units or best available technology (BAT). The increased treatment and nitrogen reduction and operation of these systems greatly reduces the risks to groundwater and helps to extend the lifespan of a drainfield.