Agriculture

Enjoy a day of learning and discovery at the University of Maryland’s springtime open house. Join us for interactive demonstrations, performances and workshops showcasing science and tech, the arts, sports, agriculture and more! This year we celebrate 100 years of Ag Day! 

Weeds, diseases, and insects are often a major concern for growers in Maryland. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs incorporate multiple pest management strategies into their production practices. Join us monthly for timely topics to help manage pests on the farms. Hosted via Zoom, on the Third Thursday of every month at noon, these one-hour sessions are both informative and interactive, providing an opportunity for participants to learn and engage with specialists in the field.

March 20th - Understanding Bulletins Live! Two - Emily Zobel

April 17th - Whitefly and thrips control in greenhouse and high tunnel operations - Dr. Veronica Yurchak, University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Vegetable Production

May 15th - Managing squash bugs and cucumber beetles in cucurbit crops - Dr. Tom Kuhar, Virginia Tech.

June 26th - Palmer amaranth and pigweed control - Dr. Kurt M. Vollmer, University of Maryland Extension Specialist-Weed Management

July 17th - Corn spot and tar update and prevention - Andy Kness, University of Maryland Extension

August 21st - Managing late-season corn earworm - Hayden Schug, University of Maryland Extension

September 18th - Neo-P and other strawberry diseases - Dr. Mengjun Hu, University of Maryland

October 16th - Cover crops for weed management - Dr. Dwayne Joseph, University of Maryland Extension

Pesticide Credits will be available but vary by date. Please contact Emily Zobel (ezobel@umd.edu) or Hayden Schug (hschug@umd.edu) for more information.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Emily Zobel (ezobel@umd.edu) or Hayden Schug (hschug@umd.edu).

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under sub-award number SNE22-005-MD and NIFA award 2021-70006-35384.

In field assessments of soil structure, compaction, color and smell. Core principles of composting, Systems of varying scales, Hands on demo, 3 Nutrient Management Credits
10-11:30-soild Health- Dr. Hirsh University of MD Extension and Lisa Garfield from Future Harvest will be speaking on soil health, soil health practices and in field examples, How do we measure soil health, Maryland Soil Health card demo.
11:30-1:00pm-Compost Systems and Application Thomas Fazio (compost Manager Eco City Farms) will be speaking on core principals of composting, systems of varying scales and hands on demonstrations.

The Backyard Gardening Webinar Series is a free virtual program designed for gardeners of all levels, offering valuable insights from expert presenters in each session. Hosted via Zoom, these one-hour sessions on Tuesdays at noon are both informative and interactive, providing an opportunity for participants to learn and engage with specialists in the field. Each session covers a specific gardening topic, and at the end of the presentation, there is a Q&A segment where attendees can ask questions and get personalized advice.

Join us at lunchtime (on your cell phone or computer) as Paul Goeringer discusses current legal issues farmers on Delmarva are facing, including, the Open Fields Doctrine. Paul will also be giving updates on other legal hot topics as well and taking any questions you may have.

The Mountains to Bay Grazing Alliance and University of Maryland Extension invite grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend an upcoming fencing workshop this spring!

The fencing workshop will be held on March 11, 2025 at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD from 9 AM to 12 PM. The workshop will cover the basics of fencing, including an overview of fencing types, perimeter vs. interior fencing options, energizer selection and grounding, insulator and post options, and fault finding.

This event will take place outdoors, please dress accordingly for the weather. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

University of Maryland Extension programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

A free event for all ages of sheep producers sponsored by the Frederick County and Maryland Sheep Breeders Associations in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension.  Attendees will spend the day learning the basics of raising sheep and networking with other producers. Lunch will be provided.

Date: March 29,  2025  |  Saturday
Time: 10 AM – 3:15 PM  |  Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Frederick Fairgrounds 797 East Patrick Street, Building 7, Frederick, MD 21701
Registration information: go.umd.edu/sheepbasics
Contact: Dr. Brittany Fletcher | bfletch1@umd.edu | 301-226-7576

Agenda:

• 9:45 am – 10:00 am: Check in
• 10:00 am – 10:15 am: Welcome and Introductions
• 10:15 am – 11:00 am: Fencing and Facilities
• 11:00 am – 11:15 am: Break
• 11:15 am – 12:00 am: Nutritional Management
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm: Lunch
• 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm: Know your Resources
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Keeping your Herd Healthy
• 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Break
• 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Producer Panel
• 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Equipment and Show Prep for 4-Hers
• 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Wrap-up and evaluations

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Dr. Brittany Fletcher 2 weeks prior to the event at (301) 226-7576.

2025 Schedule

Have you updated your nutrient management plan for the upcoming cropping season? Do you have questions? Do you need help getting started? Do you need a software refresher?

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) Nutrient Management Specialists will be available to assist you with updating to your nutrient management plan and the nutrient management planning software NuMan Pro 5.3. The sessions will be informal and participants will work at their own pace. Participants must be familiar with a keyboard/computer and able to retrieve and save files. Bring a keyboarding assistant, if needed.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

• A copy of your most recent nutrient management plan
• An electronic copy of your NuMan Pro file and other plan components on CD or memory stick
• Soil test results no older than Fall 2022
• A recent manure analysis (if manure is applied to your land)
• Knowledge of what crops are planned for the 2025 cropping season
• A record of manure applications made in the 2023 and 2024 cropping years

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?
Laptop computers equipped with NuMan Pro 5.3 software, printers, and technical support to make the updating process quick and easy.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

• Registration is mandatory to ensure an adequate number of computers are available.
• Each session will be limited to 11 participants so register early.
• There is no fee to attend these sessions.
• Register by contacting Paul Shipley at 301-405-2563 or prs@umd.edu
• Note: Continuing education credits are not available for these sessions.

Event Details:

Date: FEBRUARY 19 (WEDNESDAY), 2025

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Venue: 709 Morgnec Road, Suite 202, Chestertown, MD 21620 (Office Building: Kent County Extension Office)

We look forward to seeing you at the event. Thank you.

Speaker:    Dr. Jordan Shockley

Our speaker for this GLB will be Dr. Jordan Shockley, Associate Extension Professor, Farm Management and Poultry Specialist, with the University of Kentucky. 

Dr. Shockley was born and raised in a small rural town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He then moved to Kentucky to attend the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate and spent 10 years in Lexington, where he received both his Masters and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics.

Join us on Thursday, February 13, to get the latest information on the Economics of Biosecurity for Commercial Poultry Growers!

Register for this Zoom here:  https://go.umd.edu/GLB-economics