Healthy Food Systems

Welcome to the Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Online Course.

The course starts February 13, 2025 and ends April 17, 2025.

Each week there will be some required material, and some optional electives. Required material will be on core topics necessary for all kinds of aspiring farmers to have some knowledge about. Electives will offer you the opportunity to explore your unique interests and dig into more advanced material.

To incentivize completing the course,
students who complete the week's required material by noon on Thursday will be entered into a drawing to be mailed a book on a farming related topic.
Students who complete all the required material by 5 pm EST April 24, 2025 will get a certificate of completion.
Each Thursday night, from 7 to 8:30 pm, we will have a live class. All classes will be held online via the software Zoom.

Join us for the 2024 Maryland 4-H Volunteer and Teen Forum in Ocean City, MD! 

This event is open to all 4-H volunteers, teen youth, and 4-H faculty/staff members. The Forum provides time to network and connect with others from around the state and learn more about the 4-H program's wonders. It is an excellent opportunity for 4-H teens and adults to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful leaders in their local 4-H programs and Grow and Grow. 

The Forum can also be a fun 4-H Family Getaway to Ocean City! It offers something for the whole family, from fun drop-in activities to free time on the beach or boardwalk to workshops for adults and Teens and classes for younger 4-Hers and Cloverbuds where they can learn and have fun while their parents attend activities for adults. 

The Forum provides professional development workshops, connection sessions during the day on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and fun, hands-on drop-in activities on Saturday evenings. Professional development workshops are designed for adults and teens aged 13 and older. Youth classes will also be offered on Saturdays to engage and educate.

Completed registration is due by November 21, 2024.
Hurry while space lasts.

If you require accommodation, please check that box when registering and indicate the reasonable accommodation. 

Join Baltimore City, Maryland based non-profit Backyard Basecamp for their annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 27th from 2pm to 6pm (EST). The festival will feature local vendors, family-friendly activities, cooking and food demonstrations, workshops, crafts, food, music and more!

Extension Educator Madeline Potter, will be tabling with an activity about sustainable fall gardening and the benefits of leaving the leaves.

Event Highlights:
-Cooking Demos & Tastings: Savor mouthwatering cooking demonstrations and tastings that will tantalize your taste buds.
-Fun for Kids: Enjoy face painting, pony rides, pumpkin carving, and more activities designed for kids and families.
-Local Vendors: Explore the talents of local vendors and discover unique, handcrafted items.
-Food Truck Delights: Treat yourself to delectable offerings from our food truck.
-Farmstand with Chloe: We’re bringing back the farmstand with Chloe, who will be selling our amazing produce and farm goods.

Attendance at this program will fulfill the requirements for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification and Nutrient Management Voucher Training.

When it comes to adding color and texture to your living space, look no further than houseplants. In this presentation, University of Maryland Extension Horticulture Educator Ginny Rosenkranz will discuss the top 10 picks for easy houseplants and dive into the deep end of sprucing up our indoor spaces.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 6, 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.

Join the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners in Queen Anne's County for our Annual Seed Swap and Garden Day on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Kent Island Branch of the Queen Anne's County Public Library. This event is free and open to everyone. You do not need to bring seeds to receive seeds. Please label any seeds you bring so that other swappers know what they are getting. Seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by February 7, 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.

Complementing the options to visit and tour the University of Maryland, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) will be hosting college-specific Information Sessions on select visit days. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to learn about AGNR, its majors, minors, student clubs and more! Each Info Session will also provide an opportunity for visitors to interact with current students in these agricultural- and environmental science-based majors. Each session will include an opportunity to interact with representatives of the majors in AGNR.

Complementing the options to visit and tour the University of Maryland, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) will be hosting college-specific Information Sessions on select visit days. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to learn about AGNR, its majors, minors, student clubs and more! Each Info Session will also provide an opportunity for visitors to interact with current students in these agricultural- and environmental science-based majors. Each session will include an opportunity to interact with representatives of the majors in AGNR.

Complementing the options to visit and tour the University of Maryland, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) will be hosting college-specific Information Sessions on select visit days. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to learn about AGNR, its majors, minors, student clubs and more! Each Info Session will also provide an opportunity for visitors to interact with current students in these agricultural- and environmental science-based majors. Each session will include an opportunity to interact with representatives of the majors in AGNR.

Complementing the options to visit and tour the University of Maryland, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) will be hosting college-specific Information Sessions on select visit days. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to learn about AGNR, its majors, minors, student clubs and more! Each Info Session will also provide an opportunity for visitors to interact with current students in these agricultural- and environmental science-based majors. Each session will include an opportunity to interact with representatives of the majors in AGNR.