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.

Topics to be covered include: pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, ag business and marketing, right-to-farm law, ag leasing, micro grant resources, NRCS cost-share resources

Welcome to AGNR! We invite you to join us for this special weekend opportunity, featuring a comprehensive presentation highlighting our diverse academic program options. Following the overview, you will connect directly with faculty and staff in major-specific breakout sessions to discuss program details, explore related facilities, and answer your questions.

Welcome to AGNR! We invite you to join us for a comprehensive presentation highlighting our diverse academic program options. Following the overview, we will transition into major-specific discussion groups, where you can connect directly with our knowledgeable AGNR Student Ambassadors to learn program details first-hand!  

Welcome to AGNR! We invite you to join us for a comprehensive presentation highlighting our diverse academic program options. Following the overview, we will transition into major-specific discussion groups, where you can connect directly with our knowledgeable AGNR Student Ambassadors to learn program details first-hand!  

Welcome to AGNR! We invite you to join us for a comprehensive presentation highlighting our diverse academic program options. Following the overview, we will transition into major-specific discussion groups, where you can connect directly with our knowledgeable AGNR Student Ambassadors to learn program details first-hand!  

Welcome to AGNR! We invite you to join us for a comprehensive presentation highlighting our diverse academic program options. Following the overview, we will transition into major-specific discussion groups, where you can connect directly with our knowledgeable AGNR Student Ambassadors to learn program details first-hand!  

Event: Pasture Walk at Grazy Days Family Farm
Date: September 21, 2026  |  Monday
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Grazy Days Family Farm, 12102 Coppermine Rd, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Grazy Days Family in Union Bridge, MD (Frederick county). Grazy Days Family Farm is a mother and daughter led farm raising 100% grass-fed lamb and local chestnuts. The farm focuses on regenerative agricultural practices, including grass-fed livestock production, promoting diversity throughout the farm, and integration of trees for silvopasture and fruit and nut production. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: grazing management for grass-fed lamb production, establishment of trees for silvopasture, and diversifying with tree crop production. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Agroforestry Specialist will also be on hand to answer questions related to technical and funding assistance available for agroforestry practice implementation.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwSeptember

Event: Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm
Date: August 6, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Plow and Stars Farm, 14010 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and the Million Acre Challenge for an educational pasture walk at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD (Montgomery county). Plow and Stars Farm raises grass-fed Katahdin lamb and poultry with a focus on diversified grazing and soil health practices. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: multi-species grazing, virtual fencing, transitioning conventional grain fields to regenerative agriculture, and silvopasture. Key soil health practices will be discussed, including improved nutrient cycling from diverse manure sources, enhanced soil structure, and increased soil organic matter. The workshop will also feature a demonstration of the Maryland Soil Health Card to assess physical and biological indicators of soil health, and monitor the outcomes of soil management practices .
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwAugust