Paid

The Maryland 4-H State Horse Judging Contest tests the 4-Her's knowledge of horse conformation and way of going. The contest has a mixture of halter and under-saddle (or in-harness) classes with 4 horses to judge in each class. After placing the classes and enjoying a short lunch, contestants must defend their placings for classes by giving "oral reasons" to the judges. Awards are granted in the senior, intermediate, and junior divisions to the top County 10 teams, top 10 overall individuals, and top 10 individuals in reasons. In addition, the top 10 senior individuals compete for one of the four spots on the Maryland State Horse Judging Team that competes at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Contest Procedures
1. The Examination Phase of the contest will include the following:
a. A Written Exam
b. Projected slides may be used to have contestants identify items (see topics below) if appropriate facilities are available.
2. The Stations Phase will consist of a series of stations or tables where contestants will respond to the requirements of the stations.

Closing date for registration is June 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Earth Day is in April! Celebrate all month long and join us on April 30 to learn the health and financial benefits of "green" household cleaning. Participants will receive copies the "green" household cleaner recipes and watch a demonstration of how to make inexpensive, environmentally-friendly products at home!

Join us for a hands-on workshop on water bath canning. During this workshop, we will provdie an overview of safe food preservation & canning techniques. You will learn the process for canning tomatoes and take a jar of canned tomatoes home. We will guide you through the process step by step, so you can confidently preserve your favorite foods at home. Space is limited, register today!

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Lynn Matava lmatava@umd.edu on or before March 16, 2025.

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.

The course will help landowners convert lawn to natural areas and enhance stewardship of existing natural areas. Based on the guide of the same name, the course provides strategies to landowners of small parcels of land (1-10 acres) that improve the stewardship of their property for personal enjoyment and environmental quality. It uses a hands-on learning approach to help participants develop and implement a plan for their property. Activities include how to map habitat areas, understand basic ecological principles about woodland and wildlife, choose and implement a few habitat management projects, and how to set a timetable and record your progress. Online discussion groups will allow participants to interact with others taking the course. A certificate of completion is awarded when all assignments are completed.

The course costs $125.00 per person, which includes the 108-page “Woods In Your Backyard” guide, workbook, and a tree identification guide. The course is limited to 25 participants, so sign up now!

For more information, go to https://go.umd.edu/the_course. To register through Eventbrite, go to https://go.umd.edu/WIYB_Spring25.

Topics for the event will be: Slugs and Soybean Seed Treatments, N-Rate Trails, Herbicide Trials, Economics, Soil Health, Lithos Plot Results, and Nutrient Management and Pesticide Regulation Updates.

Join the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland (FGCM) for an Earth Day Symposium featuring three of University of Maryland Extension's Faculty members covering topics from ecological landscaping, native plants, and pollinators.

Dr. Stacy Small-Lorenz, Specialist for Residential Landscape Ecology will speak on Ecological Landscaping for a Climate Resistant Watershed.
Lisa Kuder, Native Plants & Landscape Specialist will speak on Beauty, Biodiversity, and Resilience.
Madeline Potter, Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM will speak on Protecting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Amid Climate Change.

The University of Maryland Extension and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will host an all-day workshop focusing on fruits, insects, and management on Wednesday, February 19th, at the Wye Research and Education Center, 124 Wye Narrows Drive in Queenstown.

Salisbury, MD – The Eastern Shore Pest Management Conference will take place on February 11, 2025, at the Wicomico Civic Center, located at 500 Glen Ave, Salisbury, MD. This premier event brings together industry professionals for a day of insightful presentations and networking, focusing on the latest trends and techniques in pest management.

Agenda

This conference is an excellent opportunity for attendees to gain valuable continuing education credits in various categories

• MDA-NM Certification: 2 CEU for Professional Fertilizer Applicator (PFA)
• MDA Pesticide Credits: 2 (Forestry), 3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research).
• Virginia Pesticide Credits: 2 (forestry),3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research), technician.
• Delaware Pesticide Credits: 2 (forestry),3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research) District of Columbia Pesticide Credits: 3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research).
• Pennsylvania Pesticide Credits: 00 (Core 2), PC(Private 6), 06 (Ornamental and Shade Trees 3), 07 (Lawns and Turf3), 09 (Aquatic Pest Control 2), 10 (Right of Way & Weeds 3), 18 Demonstration & Research 10), 23 (Park/School Pest Control 10)
• West Virginia Pesticide credits: Cat 4A Turf & Ornamentals (6) , Cat 6 Aquatic Weed Control (4) , Cat 7 Right of Way (6)
• ISA: 3 CEUs, Maryland Tree Expert LTE: 4.0 CEUs Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional: 4 CEUs
• CPH: 1CEU (self-reporting on the MNLGA website)

Cost:

• Early Bird Registration: $81.88 (includes fees)  
• After February 7: $92.55 (includes fees) 

Reserve your spot today by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-eastern-shore-pest-management-conference-tickets-1091167825339

Join us for a day of learning, networking, and advancing your knowledge in pest management.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Ginny Rosenkranz on or before (2 weeks prior to event; may adjust depending on accommodation) at (301) 226-7715 or rosnkrnz@umd.edu

Keedysville, MD – The University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research and Education Center is excited to announce the annual Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025. This valuable event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.

Join us for a comprehensive day dedicated to the commercial fruit industry, featuring updates on pesticide and nutrient management and other essential information for tree and small fruit production. Industry experts and representatives from the University of Maryland Extension will provide insights that are vital for growers and producers.

Attending this meeting counts toward recertification for continuing education credits (CEUs) for individuals holding a current and valid license in Maryland and West Virginia for Pesticide Recertification Training and Nutrient Management Voucher.

• MARYLAND Recertification Training Commercial/Public Agency/Consultant/Private-6 credits in Categories 1A, 10*,CORE, PVT*
• WEST VIRGINIA Pesticide Recertification Training-5 credits in Cat 1-5, Cat 11-5, Cat 12-5, Cat PA-4
• MARYLAND Nutrient Management Program- 2 hours

The cost to attend the workshop is $40 prior to February 6, 2025, and $45 thereafter. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and educational handouts.

Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow industry professionals. For more information and to register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/WMFM-2025.

AGENDA (Tentative-subject to change)

MORNING SESSION

• 8:30 a.m. Registration Check-In & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Introductions & Program Overview, Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, UME, WMREC, Keedysville, MD
• 9:10 a.m. Nutrient Management Update & Recertification, Bryan Harris, Implementation Coordinator NMP, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 9:40 a.m. Pesticide Regulatory Update & Recertification,Rob Hofstetter, Program Manager, Pesticide Regulation Section, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 10:10 a.m. Break & Visit Displays
• 10:30 a.m. Apple Fruit Harvest and Management, Macarena Farcuh, Assistant Professor, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, UMD
• 11:15 a.m. Reminders for Managing Cane Borers, Strawberry Rootworm, and Sap Beetles, Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, UMD
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch & Visit Displays

AFTERNOON SESSION

• 1:00 p.m. Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) & Maryland Apple Promotion Board Update,Chuck Schuster, MSHS Executive Director; Bill Gardenhour, Apple Promotion Board Update, Gardenhour Orchards, Smithsburg, MD
• 1:15 p.m. Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis and its Impact in Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Fields, Samantha Ann Hasselhoff, Research Graduate Assistant, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 1:55 p.m. Orchard “IPM” Research Update, Dr. Laura Nixon, Visiting Scientist, Entomology, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station
• 2:30 p.m. Break & Visit Displays
• 2:50 p.m. Tree Fruit Horticulture Update, Dr. Lisa Tang, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 3:30 p.m. Managing Apple Production in Warmer, Wetter, Windier, Wackier Weather, Dr. Chris Walsh, Emeritus Professor, Horticulture, PSLA, UMD
• 4:00 p.m. Discussion Questions, Comments, Pesticide and Nutrient Management Recertification, Program Evaluation, and Adjourn

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at (301) 432-2767.

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.