Environmental Science and Technology (ENST)

For many gardeners, few winter pleasures rival the joy of leafing through seed catalogs, imagining the colors, scents, and harvests to come. That sense of anticipation will be in full bloom at this year’s annual Seed Swap, where community members are invited to browse, share, and take home seeds for the upcoming growing season.

From unique varieties of herbs to beloved annual flowers and coveted, prize-winning tomatoes, the event will offer a generous selection of seed packets. Attendees don’t need to bring seeds to participate, but those with extra or leftover packets are encouraged to contribute. Organizers ask that all donated seeds be clearly labeled so fellow gardeners know exactly what they’re receiving.

The Seed Swap provides both novice and seasoned growers an opportunity to expand their gardens and enhance their landscapes at no cost. Seeds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival a smart strategy for those looking for specific varieties.

Whether you’re planning your first container garden or dreaming of a full backyard harvest, the Seed Swap invites everyone to share in the excitement and promise of a new growing season. This program is sponsored by the Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners volunteers and our generous sponsors.

Seed Swap Dates:

Saturday, March 7, 2026
10 am to noon
Queen Anne’s County Library-Kent Island Branch (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666)

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
6 pm to 7:30 pm
Queen Anne’s County Library-Centreville Branch (121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617)

For further information, please call or make reasonable accommodations to participate in these events email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 21, 2026 the events or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners

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

For many gardeners, few winter pleasures rival the joy of leafing through seed catalogs, imagining the colors, scents, and harvests to come. That sense of anticipation will be in full bloom at this year’s annual Seed Swap, where community members are invited to browse, share, and take home seeds for the upcoming growing season.

From unique varieties of herbs to beloved annual flowers and coveted, prize-winning tomatoes, the event will offer a generous selection of seed packets. Attendees don’t need to bring seeds to participate, but those with extra or leftover packets are encouraged to contribute. Organizers ask that all donated seeds be clearly labeled so fellow gardeners know exactly what they’re receiving.

The Seed Swap provides both novice and seasoned growers an opportunity to expand their gardens and enhance their landscapes at no cost. Seeds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival a smart strategy for those looking for specific varieties.

Whether you’re planning your first container garden or dreaming of a full backyard harvest, the Seed Swap invites everyone to share in the excitement and promise of a new growing season. This program is sponsored by the Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners volunteers and our generous sponsors.

Seed Swap Dates:

Saturday, March 7, 2026
10 am to noon
Queen Anne’s County Library-Kent Island Branch (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666)

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
6 pm to 7:30 pm
Queen Anne’s County Library-Centreville Branch (121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617)

For further information, please call or make reasonable accommodations to participate in these events email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 21, 2026 the events or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners

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

Stop by the Queen Anne's County Library in Kent Island with all your questions about gardening, garden pests, plant problems, and insects. Master Gardeners will be on hand to give tips and tricks to support our wildlife in the winter. Master Gardeners will be on hand from 10 am to noon on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 28, 2026.

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.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or annual flowers, starting seeds indoors is an affordable and rewarding way to jump-start the growing season. Join the Queen Anne's County Master Gardeners for a hands-on class on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10 am at the Queen Anne's County Library in Kent Island (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666) as we guide you through growing healthy seedlings.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 21, 2026.

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.

Join us as Andi Pupke, Education Director with Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, as we learn about enriching our landscapes to create monarch habitat. This interactive class will discuss selecting the best plants to provide habitat throughout the growing season. This event is free and open to the public.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 5, 2026.

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.

Join the Queen Anne's County Master Gardeners during our monthly meeting as Concetta Gibson, President of Wild Ones Delmarva, discusses the ins and outs of container gardening with native plants. Concetta will guide us through selecting the right containers for the right plants, as well as layout, arrangement, and maintenance. This event is free and open to the public.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by January 1, 2026.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by January 1, 2026.

Will you be at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in January? Join us for a tour of the show floor and happy hour on Thursday, January 8! Please RSVP for the tour and/or happy hour by emailing us at umdagnralumni@gmail.com.

Join us on April 9, 2026, at 5 PM for the annual AGNR Discovery and Innovation Night! This signature event unites AGNR students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry leaders for an evening of enriching connections. For a look at previous years' programs, check out this site.

The highlight of the evening is the Student Experience Showcase, where students will proudly present and celebrate their transformative experiences beyond the classroom, including internships, study abroad programs, research projects, and more.

This is a free event open to the UMD community and its constituents. 

Student Attendee Registration: https://go.umd.edu/DIN26 

Student Presenter Interest Form: https://go.umd.edu/DINpresenter26

Employer, Alumni, and Faculty/Staff Sign Up: https://go.umd.edu/DINguest26 

Pick up your spirits and a pumpkin at AGNR’s annual Pick & Treat! 🎃

Take a break from UMD Spooky Season (aka Midterms) on Thursday, October 30 from 2:30-4:30pm to enjoy some festive fall fun as we turn the Animal Sciences courtyard into a pumpkin patch.

Mark your calendars to come pick a pumpkin grown at our very own Wye Research & Education Center and discover what treats await! Costumes and furry companions are welcome!

You're invited to join us for AGNR’s 7th annual Cornerstone event on Thursday, October 23 at The Adele H. Stamp Student Union—Center for Campus Life. 

We're excited to welcome keynote speaker, Sanjay K. Rai, secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). 

In his role, Rai is responsible for statewide policies for Maryland's 14 public 4-year institutions, 16 community colleges, 32 private institutions, and more than 140 private career schools. His programming and partnerships have expanded educational access, improved student success, and reduced achievement gaps for all learners. He will deliver a talk on the use of hashtagAI to improve instruction and engagement with students. 

The event will also feature a free lunch and a student poster competition featuring the excellent work of our students. Guests may also register on-site the day of the event.