Agriculture

Tuesday April 16, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  |  Cost: Free
Location: 3250 Old Court Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

Join University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and Joe Shaffer for an educational pasture walk at Hidden Waters Farm in Pikesville, MD (Baltimore county).

Hidden Waters raises beef, pork, poultry, and produce using rotational grazing practices to optimize soil health and sells their products at their on-farm market store. Topics of discussion will include working towards increasing plant and animal diversity and their challenges and successes with integrated multi-species grazing.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity 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.

This year’s Poultry Grower Expo will include a tradeshow with 25+ businesses and several educational sessions throughout the day, including generators, generator maintenance, energy savings, solar opportunities, heater repair, and summer readiness.

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) Online Course

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Spring 2024: April 1st-May 3rd “Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan”

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who use commercial fertilizer and/or manure to learn how to write nutrient management plans (NMPs) for their operation that meet Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations.

Please Advise: The course requires a minimum time commitment of 15-20 hours over 5 weeks. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels may require additional training and a larger time commitment. Farmers should have soil and manure analyses prior to the second week of training.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology:
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Familiarity with web browsing
    • Experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel),PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat or similar)
    • Ability to download/open/save/retrieve computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program(NuMan Pro)

You will receive:

• Access to the Online Course – Administered via the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management Systems (ELMS-Canvas).
• A comprehensive training binder (electronic version- Google Drive Folder) –Consists of all materials referenced throughout the course, compiled in one place.
• NuMan Pro software
• Certification – Producers who pass the exam and complete development of their NMP will be certified by MDA to write their own NMPs.
• Voucher training credits – This class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.

Cost and Registration Information:

• Space is limited therefore, register early. Registration will close on 3/27/24 or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than3/27/24) and $25 for NuMan Pro Software
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training please contact Kayla Griffith(kmgriffi@umd.edu) prior to 4/25/24.
• To register for the Spring 2024 FTC Online offering April 2024-May 2024 (see course outline below), go to https://go.umd.edu/april24OnlineFTC

The University of Maryland and the University of Delaware will host the Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees – What you Need to Know and Do four webinars every Friday in April at noon starting on April 5th and ending on April 26. The free webinars will cover developing an employee handbook for your operation, basic legal requirements, and how to incorporate benefits that agricultural employers deal with. The funding for this program is thanks to the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The webinar schedule includes:
April 5: Introduction to the Employer Guide and Workbook - Nate Bruce, Farm Business Management Specialist, UD Cooperative Extension;
April 12: Finding the right person, Employee Handbook, Paul Goeringer, Sr. Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist, UMD
April 19: Overview of health insurance options with case study, Jesse Ketterman, PhD, AFC, Senior Agent, University of Maryland Extension
April 26: Overview retirement savings options with case study, Maria Pippidis, Extension Educator, Financial Wellness, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension;

“This program will be a great opportunity for agricultural employers to get valuable information on their legal responsibilities and options,” said Paul Goeringer. “This information will be useful for any employer, regardless of the size of the operation,” said Goeringer.

For more information or to register for the webinars, go to https://bit.ly/3uwXmdx - and do not hesitate to reach out to Paul Goeringer at lgoering@umd.edu if you have any questions.

Come see the latest varieties we have to showcase. Fresh strawberries will be served at the conclusion of the tour.

The 2024 Agronomy Meeting  will take place at 4:30 pm on February 22, 2024, at the Caroline County 4-H & Youth Park, located at 8230 Detour Rd., Denton, Md. 21629.

This event is free and counts for 2024 private pesticide and nutrient re-certifications.

Register to reserve a spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-agronomy-meeting-registration-780369625557?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Commercial Vegetable Growers throughout the region are invited to the 2024 Eastern Shore Vegetable Growers Meeting offered by the University of Maryland Extension.

Speakers will present on crop variety trials, weed management, tomato variety survey, watermelon spacing trial, pumpkin research, sweet corn IPM, MDA updates, and more!

2024 Poultry Grower Expo!

This event will include a tradeshow and educational sessions throughout the day, including generator maintenance, controller training, energy savings, summer readiness, and more.

Enjoy a free lunch and fellowship.

MD and DE Nutrient Management Credits Offered

Biosecurity is essential!  Take all precautions with clothes and footwear.

Please contact with any questions: Jon Moyle, jmoyle@umd.edu, Jenny Rhodes, jrhodes@umd.edu, Maegan Perdue, mperdue@umd.edu, Jennifer Timmons, jtimmons1@umes.edu, Georgie Cartanza, cartanza@udel.edu, and/or Holly Porter at porter@dcachicken.com

Date:  Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Time:  9 AM - 2 PM
Location:  Somerset County Civic Center, Crisfield Lane, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Registration to attend:  https://bit.ly/42vnpyj
For Sponsorship Opportunities:  http://tinyurl.com/2024growerexpo

Hosted by The Delmarva Poultry Team, UME, UMES, UDEL, DCA

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day, in-person workshops on Feb 26th at Chesapeake College and March 12th in Boonsboro. The Cultivating Knowledge Together: Maryland’s Peer-Powered Land Use workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is required to attend. This program is complimentary and made possible through a Northeast Risk Management Education Center grant.

Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC, and Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law, will lead the workshops, covering topics such as leasing land, renewable energy policy implications, estate planning, and zoning, among other topics. Through interactive elements like live polling and case scenario decision-making, participants will actively engage with the material, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the processes and considerations involved in making informed land use decisions.

"These workshops offer a unique opportunity for landowners to connect and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing, especially relevant in the context of owning farmland in the age of renewable energy development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of land ownership and valuable connections," said Thilmany.

Complimentary breakfast refreshments, coffee, and lunch will be provided during the workshops. Check-in begins at 9 am, with the workshops running from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop dates and locations are:

February 26, Chesapeake College, 110 Higher Education Center, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, and
March 12, Washington County’s University of Maryland Extension Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.

For more information or to register, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/events. For more information, reach out to Elizabeth Thilmany at thilmany@umd.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day, in-person workshops on Feb 26th at Chesapeake College and March 12th in Boonsboro. The Cultivating Knowledge Together: Maryland’s Peer-Powered Land Use workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is required to attend. This program is complimentary and made possible through a Northeast Risk Management Education Center grant.

Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC, and Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law, will lead the workshops, covering topics such as leasing land, renewable energy policy implications, estate planning, and zoning, among other topics. Through interactive elements like live polling and case scenario decision-making, participants will actively engage with the material, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the processes and considerations involved in making informed land use decisions.

"These workshops offer a unique opportunity for landowners to connect and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing, especially relevant in the context of owning farmland in the age of renewable energy development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of land ownership and valuable connections," said Thilmany.

Complimentary breakfast refreshments, coffee, and lunch will be provided during the workshops. Check-in begins at 9 am, with the workshops running from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop dates and locations are:

February 26, Chesapeake College, 110 Higher Education Center, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, and
March 12, Washington County’s University of Maryland Extension Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.

For more information or to register, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/events. For more information, reach out to Elizabeth Thilmany at thilmany@umd.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.