Agriculture

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

This is our annual meeting for farmers and producers to receive education and Nutrient Management and Private Pesticide License credits.

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

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.

The Small Ruminant sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 7 pm EST. Registration is required.

o November 5, 2024: Are Dairy Goats a Good Fit For My Farm?
o November 12: Managing Manure and Mortalities on Small Farms
o November 19: Meet the New UME Ruminant Specialist, Plus Q&A
o December 3: Farm Signage from a Legal Specialist's Perspective
o December 10: Guardians

An introduction to sheep and their care.  Learn characteristics, breeds, care, and breeding.  

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.