This program consists of a Training Day and an Exam/Signoff Day. This training day, Thursday, October 1st 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 25th, 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.