Healthy Chesapeake Bay

The delightful hum of lawnmowers is right around the corner. Soon we’ll be tackling all of those outdoor tasks that have been calling our names during the cold winter months. As we transition into warmer days, our 2024 summer “Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics” will be traveling around the county to various events and open houses. This is a great opportunity to have Master Gardeners help with all your questions about gardening, from garden pests, to plant problems, to selecting the perfect native plants, and beneficial insects. Master Gardeners will be on hand to give tips and tricks to make your home garden flourish, help troubleshoot tricky growing situations, and offer encouragement on creating the perfect garden for your space. These events are free and open to the public.

Dates/Topics:
Saturday, May 4, 2024 Topic: “Bay-Wise” Gardening
Place: Greenwood Creek Nursery (201 Bennett Point Road Queenstown, MD 21658)
Time: From 10 am to 2 pm

Saturday, June 1, 2024 Topic: “Pollinators”
Place: A Little Farm & Nursery (100 Davidson Drive Stevensville, MD 21666)
Time: From 9 am to noon

Saturday, June 22, 2024 Topic: National Pollinator Week
Place: Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery (703 Love Point Road Stevensville, MD 21666)
Time: From 9 am to noon

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 at least two weeks before 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

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) Online Course

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Spring 2024: April 1st-May 3rd “Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan”

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who use commercial fertilizer and/or manure to learn how to write nutrient management plans (NMPs) for their operation that meet Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations.

Please Advise: The course requires a minimum time commitment of 15-20 hours over 5 weeks. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels may require additional training and a larger time commitment. Farmers should have soil and manure analyses prior to the second week of training.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology:
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Familiarity with web browsing
    • Experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel),PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat or similar)
    • Ability to download/open/save/retrieve computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program(NuMan Pro)

You will receive:

• Access to the Online Course – Administered via the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management Systems (ELMS-Canvas).
• A comprehensive training binder (electronic version- Google Drive Folder) –Consists of all materials referenced throughout the course, compiled in one place.
• NuMan Pro software
• Certification – Producers who pass the exam and complete development of their NMP will be certified by MDA to write their own NMPs.
• Voucher training credits – This class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.

Cost and Registration Information:

• Space is limited therefore, register early. Registration will close on 3/27/24 or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than3/27/24) and $25 for NuMan Pro Software
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training please contact Kayla Griffith(kmgriffi@umd.edu) prior to 4/25/24.
• To register for the Spring 2024 FTC Online offering April 2024-May 2024 (see course outline below), go to https://go.umd.edu/april24OnlineFTC

Come celebrate Earth Day with the Department of Environmental Science and Technology as we explore Justice, Innovation and Equity – Shaping a Sustainable Future! Join us Monday, April 22, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, in the Animal Science Courtyard. Our event is open to all, including students, alumni, faculty and staff. Hope to see you there!

Learn more: https://enst.umd.edu/earth-day/

Tentative Schedule:

Keynote Speaker: 4:00 - 5:00
Panel Discussion: 5:00-5:45
Earth Expo–Tables & Lightning Introduction Round: 5:45 - 6:00
Networking Mixer: 6:00 - 7:00

Join Master Gardener Volunteer, Janet Mackey, to learn about these ephemeral flowers and their fascinating roles in the ecosystem. Ephemeral flowers are early spring wild flowers in woodlands that emerge early and provide food for unique pollinators. Free and open to the public.

If you require reasonable accommodations, please contact Mikaela Boley at 410-822-1244 or mboley@umd.edu by April 3rd, 2024.

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.

Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners are busy getting ready for their 9th Annual Plant Sale slated for Saturday, May 11th at the University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne’s County Office (505 Railroad Ave, Centreville, MD 21617) from 8:30-11:30, rain or shine. In addition to mingling with a group of passionate and knowledgeable gardeners, you can buy plants, introduce the kids to pollinator-friendly gardening, or ask questions about your landscape. You are welcome to request advice about flowers, fruits, vegetable beds, and plants that can beautify your yard and provide a friendly habitat for wildlife like songbirds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds at our ‘Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinic.’ Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained by the University of Maryland Extension and will help you select the perfect plant for your garden. Maybe you’ve been longing to have some herbs by the kitchen door, or finding the most delicious variety of heirloom tomatoes, or try a new kind of pepper but don’t know how or where to find the plant (like the fish pepper or shishito pepper). Master Gardeners will be there to assist you on your gardening journey.

For further information please call or reasonable accommodations to participate in this event 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 Friday, April 26, 2024.

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.

Feb 27 - Starting seeds inside
It's time to start seeding your transplants and we'll have our seed starting experts discuss how to do it

March 12 - Cool weather crops
This class will focus on spring and fall leafy greens and cole crops

March 26 - Cover crops and composting
We'll discuss beneficial gardening practices that can increase your soil health and fertility

April 9 - Intro to Gardening
This class will focus on the basics of gardening to kick off the season

April 23 - Cane Berries
We'll talk about blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and which cane berries make sense for you

May 7 - Everything Tomatoes
Everyone loves tomatoes, but there are so many types and varieties how do you choose? We'll also talk about best management practices, insect and disease.

Join Master Gardener Volunteer, Janet Mackey, to learn about these ephemeral flowers and their fascinating roles in the ecosystem.

Located at the Talbot County Free Library, 100 W Dover St., Easton, MD (in person only)
Wednesday, April 17th from 10:30AM-11:30AM

If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Talbot County Extension Office by April 3rd at 410-822-1244

This program provides free tree seedlings to Charles County residents with the goal to enhance water quality. It is intended to assist homeowners who have a waterway on or adjacent to their property. When planted, the trees provide a streamside buffer.

A streamside buffer can create habitat for wildlife, reduce peak summer temperatures, and reduce the amount of sediment, fertilizer and toxic materials that enter our waterways. Deep-rooted trees and shrubs can also stabilize streambanks, protecting them from erosion.

What’s in the bundle?
16 bareroot seedlings, 4 species of each: American Persimmon, Sycamore, Northern Red Oak, and Buttonbush. These species are best suited for moist to wet soils.

Tree seedlings distribution on April 13, 2024

Bundles are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Species cannot be
separated.

A bundle (16 seedlings) is intended for properties with approximately 0.5 acres
available space for planting. Includes 4 seedlings of each species.

Pickup Date: April 13, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Bundles will not be held for additional pickup dates.

This is a free half-day seminar from 8 am to 2 pm. The agenda for the day includes presentations covering key topics such as the direction and future of organic production, insights into organic grain markets, and navigating certification, regulations, and requirements. Additionally, there will be a farmer roundtable discussion featuring panelists representing various aspects of organic farming, including grain, vegetable, animal, and research. Light breakfast refreshments and lunch will be served.

The showcase aims to highlight our students' work and experiences through posters and/or physical displays. Guests, which will include industry partners, faculty, alumni, VIPs from around campus, and UMD students, will be able to walk through the showcase to see their projects.