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 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

Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management is a workshop conducted by the University of Maryland Extension Agricultural Nutrient Management Program that provides participants with hands-on farming and nutrient management related activities including yield and moisture estimates of grain crops, harvest machinery overview and demonstration, and compost and cover crop application to fields.

9:00-9:30 -     Registration

9:30-12:00 - This session will provide a practical overview of key post-season grain crop management and harvest evaluation activities. Participants will review common grain crop yield estimate procedures, examine a combine and its major components, and observe the machine harvesting a grain crop in the field. The program will also include a comparison of moisture readings taken with a hand test moisture meter and those recorded by the combine yield monitor to highlight accuracy and calibration considerations. In addition, attendees will see post-harvest field operations including compost application, broadcast seeding of a cover crop, and vertical tillage used to incorporate the compost and cover crop seed into the soil. 

12:00-12:30- Lunch

12:30-1:00-   MDA Nutrient Management Update

1:00-3:30-     This session will provide participants with an overview of vegetable production and harvest, and view the vegetable harvesting conveyor.  The program will end with an overview of the production of compost on the farm and the planning process for fall applications.

CEUs: 5.5 hours of credit toward consultants’ or operators’ continuing education requirement will be earned from full participation in this event.

The Master of Extension Education features a multidisciplinary program with core courses focused on the extension principles shaping needs assessment, program development, evaluation, nonformal education, and social science research methodology as well as a suite of supportive elective courses in a variety of extension specialty areas. Graduates with Extension education experiences are prepared for dynamic careers in secondary and post-secondary education, non-profits, government, and leadership roles in enterprise.
 

Join us for Moth Night 2026 on Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Constitution Park, Pavilion 6, Cumberland, MD. This evening event will feature crafts, moth education, and moth watching, offering a fun opportunity for all ages to learn more about these fascinating nighttime pollinators. To register, visit https://go.umd.edu/UMEMothNight2026.

An old school rivalry renewed! Join us as Virginia Tech returns to College Park to face the Terrapins on Saturday, September 19. Our tailgate will kick-off at 4:30pm and end around gametime at 7:30pm. Lots of great food and good times await. Don't miss out, get your game and tailgate tickets soon! 

The annual end of summer tradition that you won't want to miss! Maryland State Fair returns to Timonium Fairgrounds. Celebrate Maryland agriculture with AGNR, Maryland 4-H, University of Maryland Extension, and the farming community. 

The annual end of summer tradition that you won't want to miss! Maryland State Fair returns to Timonium Fairgrounds. Celebrate Maryland agriculture with AGNR, Maryland 4-H, University of Maryland Extension, and the farming community. 

The annual end of summer tradition that you won't want to miss! Maryland State Fair returns to Timonium Fairgrounds for three weekends starting August 27. Celebrate Maryland agriculture with AGNR, Maryland 4-H, University of Maryland Extension, and the farming community. 

This event will highlight fall-blooming, pollinator-friendly native perennials as well as herbs and cool-season vegetable plants, such as spinach and lettuce, that can go straight into the ground or containers and yield a harvest well into the fall. Attendees will also find fall mums and a variety of Master Gardener-donated plants from which to choose.

You’ll have a chance to take home a variety of plants and chat with a group of friendly, knowledgeable gardeners eager to share their passion. Have a question about your yard or garden? Stop by the “Ask a Master Gardener” Plant Clinic, where University of Maryland Extension–trained volunteers will be ready to help with advice on flowers, fruits, vegetable gardens, and plants that attract wildlife such as songbirds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event or activity, please contact the University of Maryland Extension Kent County at 410-778-1661, option 6, on or by Friday, September 4, 2026.

Two more opportunities to attend Garden Educational Classes in Allegany County with UME Master Gardeners. 9/5/26 Native Plants for Landscaping and 10/3/26 Indoor Growing and Hydroponics, at Christ Lutheran Church Community Garden.