Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

Many counties, and Baltimore city, around the state start our Master Gardener basic training together in February. Curious what the basic training, and all else that becoming a Master Gardener entails? This session will cover all that and more. If you're interested in becoming a Master Gardener, this is your chance to learn all about it.

Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk with Maryland Solar Grazing Solutions in Hagerstown, MD (Washington county).

This pasture walk will feature a unique opportunity to tour an active solar site where sheep are being grazed for vegetation management. Business owners Sara and Joseph Kidd specialize in grazing Katahdin sheep on solar arrays and raise and sell lambs for market. They will share their story and discuss the pros and cons of grazing sheep under solar panels.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension

University of Maryland Extension 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 reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, MD (Washington county).

This pasture walk will feature a mixed-species grazing system with sheep and cattle utilizing both perennial and annual forages. Discussion will include setting up a grazing system, mixed-species grazing, parasite management, utilizing annual forages to extend the grazing season, pasture renovation, and what to do with failed seedings. Extension educators are also starting work on a soil amendment study looking at diferent sources of fertility (compost, litter, etc.) on a pasture-based system.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

University of Maryland Extension 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 reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Blue Moon Farm in Gaithersburg, MD (Montgomery county).

Dave and Ellen Quirk have set up a small-scale rotational grazing system for their horses and are working on improving the soil health an fertility of their pastures with an on-farm composting system. Discussion will include practical pasture management for horses, soil health in pasture systems, and composting and spreading manure on pastures as a fertility source.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

University of Maryland Extension 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 reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.
 

Learn what’s in your water—and what you can do about it. Join University of Maryland experts for an engaging workshop on drinking water quality, including how to test your water and understand your results. Connect with researchers, share your experiences, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. All residents from the Eastern Shore are welcome! We will provide a 30 minute presentation and resources on how you can protect your drinking water, and thus your health. 

Learn what’s in your water—and what you can do about it. Join experts from the University of Maryland School of Public Health experts for an engaging workshop on drinking water quality, including how to test your water and understand your results. Connect with researchers, share your experiences, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. All are welcome!

The delightful hum of lawnmowers is right around the corner. Soon we’ll be tackling outdoor tasks that have been calling our names during the cold winter months. As we transition into warmer days, our 2026 spring “Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics” will be traveling around Queen Anne’s County to various events and open houses. This is a great opportunity to have Master Gardeners help with all your gardening questions, from garden pests and 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: 

March 28-29, 2026- Enhancing your garden with native plants at A Little Farm and Nursery (100 Davidson Drive, Stevensville, MD 21666). Master Gardeners will be on hand to discuss picking the right native plant for the right place. From 10 am to 2 pm 

April 11, 2026 – Vertical Gardening at the Queen Anne’s County Library (200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666). Master Gardeners will focus on creating vertical gardening that maximizes growing space by training plants to grow upward, making it an efficient and attractive solution for small gardens and urban environments. From 10 am to noon

April 18, 2026-Enhancing your garden with native plants at Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery (703 Love Point Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666). Master Gardeners will be on hand to discuss picking the right native plant for the right place. From 10 am to 2 pm   

April 25, 2026- Vegetable Gardening 101 at the UME Office (505 Railroad Ave, Centreville, MD 21617). Master Gardeners will focus on helping you get your vegetable garden started. From 8 am to 11:30 am 

May 2, 2026- Planting a Spring Garden at An Eastridge Garden (533 Dulin Clark Rd, Centreville, MD 21617). Master Gardeners will focus on helping you get your spring gardens started. From 10 am to 2 pm 

May 9, 2026-Container Gardening at the Queen Anne’s County Library (121 S. Commerce St., Centreville, MD 21617). Stop by the library with all your questions about gardening, garden pests, plant problems, and insects as the Master Gardeners kick off the Year of "Container Gardening." Container gardening allows plants to thrive in pots or other vessels, offering flexibility and accessibility for gardeners with limited space or poor soil conditions. From 10 am to noon

May 9, 2026-Container Gardening at Unity Church Hill Nursery (3621 Church Hill RD, Church Hill, MD 21623). Stop by the library with all your questions about gardening, garden pests, plant problems, and insects as the Master Gardeners kick off the Year of "Container Gardening." Container gardening allows plants to thrive in pots or other vessels, offering flexibility and accessibility for gardeners with limited space or poor soil conditions. From 10 am to 2 pm 

For further information please call or reasonable accommodations to participate in this event contact the University of Maryland Extension Rachel Rhodes, at (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu   

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.

We hope you can celebrate Earth Day with us at the Department of Environmental Science and Technology as we explore Technology for Environmental Good!

Our event will include two riveting panels including National Geographic's Exploration Technology Lab, innovative building and design companies, soil acoustics technology, environmental restoration projects and more!

Make sure to RSVP Today!

Panelists or Exhibits:

• Kasie Coccaro, Senior Director of National Geographic's Exploration Technology Lab

• Dan Nadash, Vice President of InventWood

• Michael Carmichael, Stormwater Manager at UMD overseeing the Campus Creek restoration

• Shue-kei Joanna Mok, Earthbound Expressions exhibit of Art/Soil Science and Acoustics

• Matt Parker, Aquaculture Business Specialist with UMD Extension

• Mitch Pavao-Zuckerman, Urban Ecologist and Agrivolatics Specialist with UMD Environmental Science & Technology

• Hannah Spates, Sustainability Lead at Cooper Carry Architecture and Design

• Robert Swam, Environmental Project Manager at Rodgers Consulting

• And a few other potential panelists and/or table exhibitors

Join us Wednesday, April 22, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm, likely under a tent in the Animal Sciences Building Courtyard. Our event is open to all, including students, faculty, staff, community and our fantastic alumni. Hope to see you there!

Tentative Schedule:

• 4:00 pm: Opening, Panel 1

• 5:00 pm: Panel 2

• 6:00 pm: Exhibit Tables, Posters, Alumni Award and Dinner

Join us for an informative class with Garrett Dickel, Certified Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, on Beech Leaf Disease and learn how this emerging issue is impacting our forests and landscapes. Participants will gain an understanding of how to identify symptoms, learn about current research, and explore management considerations for homeowners and land managers. This timely program is ideal for anyone interested in tree health, forest stewardship, and protecting our local ecosystems. 

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 April 3, 2026.

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.

Herbs will thrive in containers on your patio or balcony. Alongside Master Gardeners, learn how to grow companion herbs for your favorite recipes or try different varieties of a favorite herb in one beautiful container.