Agriculture

Event: Pasture Walk at Grazy Days Family Farm
Date: September 21, 2026  |  Monday
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Grazy Days Family Farm, 12102 Coppermine Rd, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Grazy Days Family in Union Bridge, MD (Frederick county). Grazy Days Family Farm is a mother and daughter led farm raising 100% grass-fed lamb and local chestnuts. The farm focuses on regenerative agricultural practices, including grass-fed livestock production, promoting diversity throughout the farm, and integration of trees for silvopasture and fruit and nut production. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: grazing management for grass-fed lamb production, establishment of trees for silvopasture, and diversifying with tree crop production. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Agroforestry Specialist will also be on hand to answer questions related to technical and funding assistance available for agroforestry practice implementation.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwSeptember

Event: Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm
Date: August 6, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Plow and Stars Farm, 14010 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and the Million Acre Challenge for an educational pasture walk at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD (Montgomery county). Plow and Stars Farm raises grass-fed Katahdin lamb and poultry with a focus on diversified grazing and soil health practices. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: multi-species grazing, virtual fencing, transitioning conventional grain fields to regenerative agriculture, and silvopasture. Key soil health practices will be discussed, including improved nutrient cycling from diverse manure sources, enhanced soil structure, and increased soil organic matter. The workshop will also feature a demonstration of the Maryland Soil Health Card to assess physical and biological indicators of soil health, and monitor the outcomes of soil management practices .
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwAugust

Join poultry producers, industry professionals, educators, and vendors for the 2026 Commercial Poultry Expo on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Somerset County Agricultural & Civic Center in Princess Anne, Maryland.

This annual event brings together the latest in poultry production through:

• Educational programs
• Industry vendors and tradeshow exhibits
• Networking opportunities
• Lunch included with registration
•  

Whether you're looking to discover new technologies, connect with experts, or learn about the latest developments in the poultry industry, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Attendee registration is now open! Vendor spaces are also available.

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, gardeners, homesteaders, and caregivers/family members are all welcome to attend! Here are the dates and locations:

• 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

We also have two events for non veteran connected:

• 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

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

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 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

Learn about cover crop planning and management and pest management in cover crops, and the latest results from the Maryland "planting green" research trials. 

Activities include:

Interactive drone and cover crop related equipment demonstrations

Tour strip trials showcasing 14 species of summer cover crop

Interactive soil pit demonstration. 

Register Today!

Learn about cover crop planning and management and pest management in cover crop, and learn latest results from Maryland "planting green" research trials. 

Activities include: 
Interactive drone and cover crop related equipment demonstrations; Tour strip trials showcasing 14 species of summer cover crop; Interactive soil pit demonstration and more! Register Today!

This event is sponsored by University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and Million Acre Challenge. 
 

Each visit date holds a unique opportunity to discover something new in AGNR. This session includes a general presentation about academic program options within AGNR. The presentation will be followed by an optional visit to environmental science and fermentation science laboratories, as well as a visit to our on-campus farm!

Each visit date holds a unique opportunity to discover something new in AGNR. This session includes a general presentation on academic program options within AGNR. The presentation will be followed by an optional tour of landscape architecture and plant sciences, and the unique opportunity to step onto UMD athletics fields to learn about turf management!

Each visit date holds a unique opportunity to discover something new in AGNR.  This session includes a general presentation about academic program options within AGNR. The presentation will be followed by an optional visit to a wildlife ecology laboratory and then our on-campus farm.