Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

The 2024 Maryland 4-H Livestock Skillathon will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Pkwy, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. 

Contest rules: Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H website at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences  (under Animal Science Events and Animal Science Resources sections). 

Eligibility/fees: The Livestock Skillathon is a contest where individuals compete. There are NO team entries. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant. There is no limit to the number of individuals each UME unit may enter in this contest.

LUNCH will be on your own. After completing all stations of their respective age divisions, contestants will be released for lunch (on your own) immediately. Awards will be presented beginning at approximately 2:00 pm. 

Youth do not need to own livestock to compete in this contest; to find out more, contact your local 4-H office.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰-𝗛 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹

• ·Date: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰
• ·Start Time: Registration begins at 9:00 am, and the contest begins at 10:00 am
• ·Location: Plant Sciences building, room 1140, Regents Drive, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
• ·Registration Closes: February 19, 2024

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

Youth contestants and teen or adult coaches must have an approved enrollment in 4-H Online for the 2024 4-H program year. Youth Contestants must have yet to compete in the Horse Bowl contest at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup (Louisville, KY) or Western National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Complete information and rules can be found on the Maryland 4-H website at https://go.umd.edu/HorseBowl

The 2024 Maryland 4-H State Dog Skillathon event will be held on Saturday, February 24th, at the University of Maryland Animal Science Building in College Park, MD. This is a contest in which individuals compete. There will be NO team entries. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant. 

4-H members wishing to participate should contact their county/city 4-H office. Official registration for the contest must be submitted via the 4-H Online registration system by February 15, 2024. There is no limit to the number of individuals each UME unit may register for this contest. Individuals participating in the statewide contest must be enrolled as a Maryland 4-H member for 2024 in 4-H Online by February 15, 2024.

Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H Animal Science webpage at: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences

The 2024 Maryland 4-H State Dairy Skillathon event will be held on Saturday, March 23, at the Carroll County Extension Office. Registration check-in starts at 9:30 am, and the contest begins at 10:00 am. This is a contest in which individuals compete. There will be NO team entries. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant. 

4-H members wishing to participate should contact their county/city 4-H office. Official registration for the contest is submitted via the 4-H Online registration system and is due by March 10, 2024 (Registration will open February 9, 2024). There is no limit to the number of individuals each UME unit may register for this contest. Individuals participating in the statewide contest must be enrolled as a Maryland 4-H member for 2024 in 4-H Online by March 10, 2024.

Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H Animal Science webpage at: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources. See the contest rules for a complete set of resources.  Additional study resources & information can be found online at https://extension.umd.edu/locations/cecil-county/local-4-h-youth-education/animal-science-information (scroll down and click on the Dairy Judging Events/Quiz Bowls/Skillathon Contests tab)

Note: A 4-H Online broadcast will go out to all families and managers notifying them of the registration on February 9, 2024, by COB.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day, in-person workshops on Feb 26th at Chesapeake College and March 12th in Boonsboro. The Cultivating Knowledge Together: Maryland’s Peer-Powered Land Use workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is required to attend. This program is complimentary and made possible through a Northeast Risk Management Education Center grant.

Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC, and Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law, will lead the workshops, covering topics such as leasing land, renewable energy policy implications, estate planning, and zoning, among other topics. Through interactive elements like live polling and case scenario decision-making, participants will actively engage with the material, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the processes and considerations involved in making informed land use decisions.

"These workshops offer a unique opportunity for landowners to connect and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing, especially relevant in the context of owning farmland in the age of renewable energy development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of land ownership and valuable connections," said Thilmany.

Complimentary breakfast refreshments, coffee, and lunch will be provided during the workshops. Check-in begins at 9 am, with the workshops running from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop dates and locations are:

February 26, Chesapeake College, 110 Higher Education Center, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, and
March 12, Washington County’s University of Maryland Extension Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.

For more information or to register, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/events. For more information, reach out to Elizabeth Thilmany at thilmany@umd.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day, in-person workshops on Feb 26th at Chesapeake College and March 12th in Boonsboro. The Cultivating Knowledge Together: Maryland’s Peer-Powered Land Use workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is required to attend. This program is complimentary and made possible through a Northeast Risk Management Education Center grant.

Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC, and Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law, will lead the workshops, covering topics such as leasing land, renewable energy policy implications, estate planning, and zoning, among other topics. Through interactive elements like live polling and case scenario decision-making, participants will actively engage with the material, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the processes and considerations involved in making informed land use decisions.

"These workshops offer a unique opportunity for landowners to connect and engage in peer-driven knowledge sharing, especially relevant in the context of owning farmland in the age of renewable energy development. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of land ownership and valuable connections," said Thilmany.

Complimentary breakfast refreshments, coffee, and lunch will be provided during the workshops. Check-in begins at 9 am, with the workshops running from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The workshop dates and locations are:

February 26, Chesapeake College, 110 Higher Education Center, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, and
March 12, Washington County’s University of Maryland Extension Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.

For more information or to register, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/events. For more information, reach out to Elizabeth Thilmany at thilmany@umd.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021‐70027‐34693.

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.

This event is for professionals in the turf, nursery, and landscape industries. Pesticide and turf nutrient management credits will be available. Topics include controlling troublesome weeds, insect updates, pesticide safety, ornamental and turf disease reviews, equipment calibration, spill control, and updates from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

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.