Nutrition and Food Science (NFSC)

Saltwater intrusion represents one of the foremost challenges related to climate change facing farmers in coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic region. SALT, a two-day conference focused on saltwater intrusion and sea level rise in coastal agroecosystems, will be held June 11 and 12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Md., and hopes to address what is happening in academics and on the ground to face it.

SALT stands for “Salinity-Affected Lands in Transition.” The conference will feature expert speakers discussing saltwater intrusion and sea level rise, case studies of areas across the country and hemisphere, environmental justice, coastal farming, ghost forests, adaptation solutions and mitigation strategies.

“The SALT Conference will bring together practitioners, policy-makers, and scientists to discuss issues related to sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion across the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. I am excited to share some of our lessons learned from projects in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia (funded by USDA-NIFA, NFWF, and the NSF) and learn from others who are facing similar challenges across the U.S. and the world,” said Dr. Kate Tully, a University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources researcher investigating saltwater intrusion on the Delmarva Peninsula. “The SALT conference will provide a platform for information sharing, partnership building, and networking. I'm hoping for a great turnout.”

This conference highlights research being conducted by the University of Maryland (UMD) Agroecology Lab, the University of Delaware (UD) and George Washington University (GWU) on the Delmarva Peninsula, which comprises the coastal areas of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The partners have been researching the extent and economic impact of saltwater intrusion in the region and developing potential mitigation strategies for land affected by saltwater intrusion. The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology has been partnering with researchers from these institutions on outreach and stakeholder engagement for the project.

This research and conference are supported by grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation. People can register for the conference online at go.umd.edu/SALT. Registration is open until June 3, 2024.

This conference is complemented by a podcast series called Delmarva’s Invisible Flood. The three-episode series features conversations with the researchers at UMD, UD and GWU who are working on the ground to test and implement mitigation strategies, map saltwater intrusion’s extent, and deduce its impact on society. The podcast series can be found at hughescenter.podbean.com.

The University of Maryland will hold the 2024 main commencement ceremony on Monday, May 20, 2024, in SECU Stadium. The student processional will begin at 6 p.m.

Join the University of Maryland College of Agriculture & Natural Resources and the AGNR Alumni Network for a night on the farm! 

Held on the Central Maryland Research and Education Center - Clarksville Facility, this casual farm to table event will include a picnic dinner, wagon tour and showcase of the research and education happening at the facility. Connect with faculty, staff, alums and family, enjoy a delicious meal and support AGNR student clubs at the silent auction. 

Our AGNR Graduation Celebration is just around the corner! Don't forget to stop by Symons Hall (Rm 0107) to pick up your AGNR ceremony tickets, enjoy some snacks, take part in our photo/video booth, snap a cap & gown photo, and pick up your gift from the AGNR Alumni Network.

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources' Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. The commencement ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

University of Maryland Extension mental health specialist Alexander Chan explores the "Farm State of Mind" during the final Sustainable Food Systems lecture next week on Tuesday, April 23 at 6pm.

The Anne Arundel County Extension Office will be hosting their 2024 Open House on August 23, 2024. This is a free family event where you can meet the Extension Educators, tour the Demonstration Garden, visit the Urban Farm, and much more.

University of Maryland is the place to be for Maryland Day 2024! This will be the 99th annual Ag Day and this year we're excited for our very first AGNR Alumni Chill Zone in the Animal Science Courtyard!

Join us on Ag Day Avenue to visit the Campus Farm and take in a livestock show with our students. Drop by the Animal Science courtyard to see our college in full force with clubs, departments, and Extension programs. Grab a plant from the Institute of Applied Agriculture or from the Plant Science Building. McKeldin Mall will feature Maryland 4-H and there's an Extension catfish cooking demo at Hornbake Plaza.

AGNR faculty and staff are invited to the 2024 State of the College and Cornerstone Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 8 at 9:00am at the Riggs Alumni Center. The Cornerstone Awards serves to recognize an AGNR faculty or staff member or an external partner in actively promoting awareness of one of the Strategic Initiatives who demonstrates innovation, and provides a model for others in the college.

Attend an event about Accessible Public Spaces and Gardens with Michelle Nelson, Wen Huang, and Chin-Fang Chen from the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning.

This carefully curated schedule of events is solely dedicated to topics related to sustainability and the role of agriculture in environmental, social, and economic issues, with a heavy emphasis on the food we consume in our everyday lives. The series is part of our strategic initiative, Establish a Healthy Food System and Ensure Global Food and Nutritional Security. This year's theme is Mental and Physical Health.