Agriculture

The University of Maryland Extension, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative will host a free workshop, “Understanding Eminent Domain,” on Monday, February 17, at 6:00 p.m. at Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland. The workshop is designed to help landowners better understand how eminent domain and utility easements may affect their property, particularly in relation to proposed electric transmission lines.
The workshop will take place in Room 111 of the GIEC Building, located at 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, MD 21541. There is no cost to attend, but registration is encouraged by February 13.

This educational program will explain how eminent domain works, what landowners can expect during utility easement negotiations, and the options available to protect landowner rights and pursue fair compensation. The session is intended for landowners, farmers, and community members who want to be informed and prepared when facing potential infrastructure projects affecting private property.

“Landowners often have questions and concerns when approached about easements or potential transmission projects,” said Paul Goeringer, Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law with the University of Maryland. “This workshop provides practical, plain-language information to help landowners understand the process and make informed decisions.”

Participants can register online at https://go.umd.edu/TLWorkshop. For additional information, interested individuals may call (301) 334-6960.

Registration includes morning refreshments and a hot lunch.  Guest speakers include regional experts and University of Maryland faculty covering topics such as:

• Ag law and regulatory update
• Best practices for managing slugs
• Weed management updates
• Regional ag agency and agribusiness updates
• MDA pesticide and nutrient management updates

Topics satisfy requirements for Maryland pesticide and nutrient management renewal.  

Pennsylvania pesticide credits also available.

Each year, the University of Maryland Extension agriculture programs from across the state organize educational sessions related to agronomy and fruit, vegetable and forage production for growers and other agriculture professionals to benefit the community. These sessions help our farmers and agriculture community keep current with up-to-date information about timely agriculture-related topics. 2025 pest management review and a look ahead to 2026, pesticide regulation and nutrient management updates from MDA, the latest agronomic research updates, planning for the farm's next generation, wheat management, and an update on new technologies. Nutrient management certification credits, private applicator pesticide credits will be available.

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 updates; best practices for managing slugs; weed management updates; orchardgrass fertility and variety trials; regional ag agency and agribusiness updates; MDA pesticide and nutrient management updates; and more!

Event:  Central Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 22, 2026  |   Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Mt. Airy Fire Company Activities Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Frederick Office at 301-600-3576. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-600-3576.
For more information or to register, contact Nathan Glenn at (410) 313-2704 (nglenn@umd.edu), Kelly Nichols at (301) 226-7954 (kellyn@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/cmdforage

Event:  Western Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 21, 2026  |   Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, 178 Springs Road, Grantsville, MD 21536
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Garrett County Office at 301-334-6960. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-334-6960.
For more information or to register, contact Willie Lantz (301) 334-6960 (wlantz@umed.edu), or Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/wmdforage

Event:  Southern Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 20, 2026  |   Tuesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost: Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Calvert County Fair, 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-St. Mary's Office at 301-475-4484. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-475-4484.
For more information Ben Beale at (301) 475-4481 (bbeale@umed.edu), Dave Myers at (301) 226-7473 (myersd@umd.edu), Hayden Schug at (301) 226-7502 (hschug@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/smdforage

Sessions on: Disease challenges in field crops, Sulfur for grain crops, Phosphorus research, Making sense of efficacy trials, and Right to farm law
MD and DE continuing education credits in nutrient management, private and commercial pesticide applicator and CCA.
Free Event

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC), University of Maryland Extension, and the Ag Law Education Initiative will host three one-day workshops on Jan. 13th in Mountain Lake Park, Jan. 27th at the Central MD Research and Education Center, and Feb. 11 at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center, in the English Room. The Farm Succession and Estate Planning workshops will be from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

The free program will assist Maryland farm families in starting the estate planning process, including creating a successful succession plan, having difficult conversations, and health insurance options for farmers. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The workshop will feature Dr. Jesse Ketterman, Senior Agent, Dr. Alex Chan, Senior Agent, and a Farm Succession Coordinator, and Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law.

“Farm families often want to plan for the future but don’t always know where to start,” said Paul Goeringer. “These workshops give Maryland landowners the tools, confidence, and practical guidance they need to begin building a succession plan that protects both their operations and their families for generations to come.”

Lunch is provided with the workshops. Each workshop will begin at 9:45 am with a check-in, and the workshops will run from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Participants will receive copies of Extension fact sheets and other valuable documents as a part of the workshop series. This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC), University of Maryland Extension, and the Ag Law Education Initiative will host three one-day workshops on Jan. 13th in Mountain Lake Park, Jan. 27th at the Central MD Research and Education Center, and Feb. 11 at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center, in the English Room. The Farm Succession and Estate Planning workshops will be from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

The free program will assist Maryland farm families in starting the estate planning process, including creating a successful succession plan, having difficult conversations, and health insurance options for farmers. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The workshop will feature Dr. Jesse Ketterman, Senior Agent, Dr. Alex Chan, Senior Agent, and a Farm Succession Coordinator, and Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law.

“Farm families often want to plan for the future but don’t always know where to start,” said Paul Goeringer. “These workshops give Maryland landowners the tools, confidence, and practical guidance they need to begin building a succession plan that protects both their operations and their families for generations to come.”
Lunch is provided with the workshops. Each workshop will begin at 9:45 am with a check-in, and the workshops will run from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. The dates and locations are:

January 13, Garrett County University of Maryland Extension Office, 1916 MD-135, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550.

January 27, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 671, Ellicott City, MD 21042, and

February 11, Eastern Shore Hospital Center, English Room, 5262 Woods Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.

Participants will receive copies of Extension fact sheets and other valuable documents as a part of the workshop series.