Healthy Food Systems

For many gardeners, few winter pleasures rival the joy of leafing through seed catalogs, imagining the colors, scents, and harvests to come. That sense of anticipation will be in full bloom at this year’s annual Seed Swap, where community members are invited to browse, share, and take home seeds for the upcoming growing season.

From unique varieties of herbs to beloved annual flowers and coveted, prize-winning tomatoes, the event will offer a generous selection of seed packets. Attendees don’t need to bring seeds to participate, but those with extra or leftover packets are encouraged to contribute. Organizers ask that all donated seeds be clearly labeled so fellow gardeners know exactly what they’re receiving.

The Seed Swap provides both novice and seasoned growers an opportunity to expand their gardens and enhance their landscapes at no cost. Seeds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival a smart strategy for those looking for specific varieties.

Whether you’re planning your first container garden or dreaming of a full backyard harvest, the Seed Swap invites everyone to share in the excitement and promise of a new growing season. This program is sponsored by the Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners volunteers and our generous sponsors.

Seed Swap Dates:

Saturday, March 7, 2026
10 am to noon
Queen Anne’s County Library-Kent Island Branch (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666)

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
6 pm to 7:30 pm
Queen Anne’s County Library-Centreville Branch (121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617)

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 by February 21, 2026 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

For many gardeners, few winter pleasures rival the joy of leafing through seed catalogs, imagining the colors, scents, and harvests to come. That sense of anticipation will be in full bloom at this year’s annual Seed Swap, where community members are invited to browse, share, and take home seeds for the upcoming growing season.

From unique varieties of herbs to beloved annual flowers and coveted, prize-winning tomatoes, the event will offer a generous selection of seed packets. Attendees don’t need to bring seeds to participate, but those with extra or leftover packets are encouraged to contribute. Organizers ask that all donated seeds be clearly labeled so fellow gardeners know exactly what they’re receiving.

The Seed Swap provides both novice and seasoned growers an opportunity to expand their gardens and enhance their landscapes at no cost. Seeds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival a smart strategy for those looking for specific varieties.

Whether you’re planning your first container garden or dreaming of a full backyard harvest, the Seed Swap invites everyone to share in the excitement and promise of a new growing season. This program is sponsored by the Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners volunteers and our generous sponsors.

Seed Swap Dates:

Saturday, March 7, 2026
10 am to noon
Queen Anne’s County Library-Kent Island Branch (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666)

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
6 pm to 7:30 pm
Queen Anne’s County Library-Centreville Branch (121 S. Commerce Street, Centreville, MD 21617)

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 by February 21, 2026 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

The event will be held at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park on Route 18 (https://www.qacfair.com/directions) to kick-off the spring planting season.
General attendance is free, doors open at 7:30 am and programming will begin at 8:00 am. It's a great opportunity to network with other farmers and ag businesses. Credits for Nutrient Management, Pesticide Recertification and Certified Crop Advisors will be offered. Lunch will be provided.

As in past years, we are seeking sponsorships to help offset the cost of lunch for attendees. Sponsors will be given display space as well as space in the program to inform attendees of any new products and/or services. See Eventbrite page for sponsorship opportunities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Caroline Welch at University of Maryland Extension - Queen Anne's County at 410-758-0166 or cwelch13@umd.edu by February 13, 2026.

Individual tickets to the event are $10.

Sponsorship for the event is $150 and includes 2 tickets to the event. If you would like, you may bring a door prize with your name on it. We will recognize you in the program.

The morning of the breakfast, we will be accepting monetary donations for the Maryland Food Bank - Eastern Shore.

Notice of Filming and Photography - When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By attending this event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction.

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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Caroline Welch at University of Maryland Extension - Queen Anne's County at 410-758-0166 or cwelch13@umd.edu by October 31, 2025.

Session 2 topic discussion includes the MDA’s Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF), Maryland Department of Natural Resources leasing programs, and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Date: November 19, 2025
Time: 4pm to 5:30pm EST
Location: Zoom or at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School
Reception with refreshments to follow
Register Here
View Flyer Here

Visit the Fall Home & Garden Show during one of the afternoons to attend our free presentations about Native Plants (10/17 at 2pm), Putting Your Garden to Bed (10/18 at 2pm), Winter Sowing (10/18 at 3pm), Compost (10/19 at 2pm), and Growing Herbs Indoors (10/19 at 3pm). Winter sowing demonstrations 10/18 at the 15th minute of each hour. Find us at booth 809 to learn the tips and techniques for this easy, cheap and reliable way of growing native plants and early season vegetables.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 25) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and tour the on-campus farm. Please note in this special Saturday session - other academic units will not be available; other University amenities and facilities will operate on weekend hours.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 24) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and meet in small groups with current students in your AGNR major of interest.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 17) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and MEET YOUR MAJOR! Team members from your intended AGNR major of interest will meet in breakout groups to provide supplemental programming.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 3) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and MEET YOUR MAJOR! Team members from your intended AGNR major of interest will meet in breakout groups to provide supplemental programming.