Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

The Maryland 4-H State Horse Judging Contest tests the 4-Her's knowledge of horse conformation and way of going. The contest has a mixture of halter and under-saddle (or in-harness) classes with 4 horses to judge in each class. After placing the classes and enjoying a short lunch, contestants must defend their placings for classes by giving "oral reasons" to the judges. Awards are granted in the senior, intermediate, and junior divisions to the top County 10 teams, top 10 overall individuals, and top 10 individuals in reasons. In addition, the top 10 senior individuals compete for one of the four spots on the Maryland State Horse Judging Team that competes at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Contest Procedures
1. The Examination Phase of the contest will include the following:
a. A Written Exam
b. Projected slides may be used to have contestants identify items (see topics below) if appropriate facilities are available.
2. The Stations Phase will consist of a series of stations or tables where contestants will respond to the requirements of the stations.

Closing date for registration is June 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Are you dreading slogging through the mud and muck that spring often brings? Join us for a Pasture Walk on Best Management Practices to learn how to manage water to improve your pasture and loafing areas and make mud a memory! 🌾💧
🔹 TWO opportunities at different locations
May 27 - Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Street, MD
June 12 - CMREC Equine Rotational Grazing Site, Ellicott City, MD
🔹 6-8pm
🔹 FREE to attend but please register https://bit.ly/MakeMudAMemory
✅ Learn practical solutions for managing mud, water runoff, and pasture health.
✅ Discover ways to prevent erosion, improve drainage, and keep your horses comfortable.
✅ Hear from experts and connect with fellow horse owners who share your concerns.
Whether you're new to managing your horse farm or looking to improve your practices, this event is for YOU! 🐎💚

Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Maryland’s native bees! Join Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, for this interactive webinar where we will explore the critical role native bees play in sustaining native plants and resilient landscapes, while spotlighting the diversity and unique stories of our local pollinators. Learn how to support a variety of native bee species by creating bee-friendly habitats—from planting diverse natives to leaving bare ground and stems, minimizing pesticides, and offering clean water sources. Along the way, we will share train-the-trainer tips to help educators inspire others to take action for native bees. Whether you’re a pollinator advocate or just bee-curious, this session will leave you buzzing with ideas to make a meaningful impact in your greenspace and community!

Get ready to celebrate National Pollinator Week (June 16-22, 2025)! Join Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, for an interactive session to equip you with tools, resources, and creative outreach strategies to support pollinator-themed education during National Pollinator Week. We’ll explore ideas for engaging community events and activities, walk through planning tips, and collaborate in a brainstorming session to spark inspiration. Bring your ideas and let’s build impactful, pollinator-friendly programming together!

Have you noticed something odd about crape myrtles in your area? Have you heard of the invasive crapemyrtle bark scale? Join Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, to learn about a spreading invasive insect that is impacting many crape myrtles throughout Maryland. During this engaging, science-based session we will bust common myths, learn how to spot crapemyrtle bark scale in the landscape, and talk through sustainable management strategies. We will also explore how this pest ties into the bigger picture of biodiversity and building healthier, more resilient landscapes. Bring your questions—this will be an interactive webinar with Q&A and a hands-on brainstorming activity to help you create outreach tools and strategies for effectively informing your communities about invasive insect pests.

Pest Management for Poultry Growers - Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Maryland Dept. of Ag's Salisbury Animal Health Lab, 27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD 21801

Register here:  https://bit.ly/pest-mgmnt

If you have any questions about the program or need special accommodations to participate, please contact Emily at 410-228-8800 by June 10, 2025.

You’ll learn which crops to select, where to get seeds, when to time your planting and techniques to help you produce bountiful and healthy seedlings. Both indoor and outdoor seed starting techniques are explained. You’ll learn about common problems with seed starting and how to avoid them.

This lecture will help you decide what to grow and how to get started, either by starting your plants from seeds or acquiring established plants. It also will discuss caring for your garden, yourself, and the critters that you may encounter.

This experience is intended for Prospective Animal Science (ANSC) Students. The tour will take place during Maryland Day, Saturday, April 26th and is designed to give you an in-depth look at ANSC academic programs, labs, and farm facilities. During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to meet with Department of Animal and Avian Sciences representatives who will provide information about the programs offered within Animal Sciences. You'll also have a chance to explore ANSC labs and the campus farm, giving you a better understanding of the hands-on learning environment and resources offered. Please be sure to pre-register to reserve your spot. Get ready for an exciting and informative experience!