Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

A free event for all ages of sheep producers sponsored by the Frederick County and Maryland Sheep Breeders Associations in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension.  Attendees will spend the day learning the basics of raising sheep and networking with other producers. Lunch will be provided.

Date: March 29,  2025  |  Saturday
Time: 10 AM – 3:15 PM  |  Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Frederick Fairgrounds 797 East Patrick Street, Building 7, Frederick, MD 21701
Registration information: go.umd.edu/sheepbasics
Contact: Dr. Brittany Fletcher | bfletch1@umd.edu | 301-226-7576

Agenda:

• 9:45 am – 10:00 am: Check in
• 10:00 am – 10:15 am: Welcome and Introductions
• 10:15 am – 11:00 am: Fencing and Facilities
• 11:00 am – 11:15 am: Break
• 11:15 am – 12:00 am: Nutritional Management
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm: Lunch
• 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm: Know your Resources
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Keeping your Herd Healthy
• 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Break
• 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Producer Panel
• 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Equipment and Show Prep for 4-Hers
• 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Wrap-up and evaluations

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 reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Dr. Brittany Fletcher 2 weeks prior to the event at (301) 226-7576.

Join the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland (FGCM) for an Earth Day Symposium featuring three of University of Maryland Extension's Faculty members covering topics from ecological landscaping, native plants, and pollinators.

Dr. Stacy Small-Lorenz, Specialist for Residential Landscape Ecology will speak on Ecological Landscaping for a Climate Resistant Watershed.
Lisa Kuder, Native Plants & Landscape Specialist will speak on Beauty, Biodiversity, and Resilience.
Madeline Potter, Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM will speak on Protecting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Amid Climate Change.

Discover how to turn any green space-- big or small-- into a thriving haven for pollinators! Join entomologist and University of Maryland Extension Faculty Specialist Madeline Potter to explore the fascinating world of Maryland's local pollinators and the critical role native plants play in supporting them. From container gardens on your balcony to expansive pollinator gardens, you'll learn practical, climate-resilient strategies to provide year-round support for these essential animals. Get inspired to make a difference and help sustain our local ecosystems. Let's work together to create vibrant, pollinator-friendly landscapes!

University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Forage and Grasslands Council invite forage producers, grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend the upcoming Tri-State Forage Conference in Grantsville, MD on January 22, 2025.

Topics for the conference will include:

• Mineral Nutrition and Practical Feeding Considerations
• Matching Mineral Nutrition to Livestock Needs
• Integrating Annual Forages as a Drought Management Strategy
• and more!

Morning refreshments will be available, and lunch is included in the price of the ticket. Doors will open at 8:30 am, and the meeting will start at 9 am.

Participants will be able to earn nutrient management certification credits and private and commercial pesticide applicator credits (amounts will be updated once credits are approved).

Registration is required to attend. Early bird pricing is available through January 13th. Attendees also have the option to renew or become a member of the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council with the purchase of a ticket to the forage conference (and receive a $5 discount off the cost of membership!). Payment is accepted by credit card or check payable to the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-334-6960.

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council invite forage producers, grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend the upcoming Central Maryland Forage Conference in Mt. Airy, MD on January 23, 2025.

Topics for the conference will include:

• Mineral Nutrition and Practical Feeding Considerations
• Matching Mineral Nutrition to Livestock Needs
• Integrating Annual Forages as a Drought Management Strategy
• and more!

Morning refreshments will be available, and lunch is included in the price of the ticket. Doors will open at 8:30 am, and the meeting will start at 9 am.

Participants will be able to earn nutrient management certification credits and private and commercial pesticide applicator credits (amounts will be updated once credits are approved).

Registration is required to attend. Early bird pricing is available through January 14th. Attendees also have the option to renew or become a member of the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council with the purchase of a ticket to the forage conference (and receive a $5 discount off the cost of membership!). Payment is accepted by credit card or check payable to the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-600-3576.

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council invite forage producers, grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend the upcoming Southern Maryland Forage Conference in Prince Frederick, MD on January 21, 2025.

Topics for the conference will include:

• Mineral Nutrition and Practical Feeding Considerations
• Matching Mineral Nutrition to Livestock Needs
• Integrating Annual Forages as a Drought Management Strategy
• Reestablishing Forages after Drought-BMP's for Success
• Digging a Little Deeper-Understanding Soil Fertility Recs for Forages
• Pests and Diseases in Forage Crops-What to Watch For

Morning refreshments will be available, and lunch is included in the price of the ticket. Doors will open at 8:30 am, and the meeting will start at 9 am.

Participants will be able to earn nutrient management certification credits and private and commercial pesticide applicator credits (amounts will be updated once credits are approved).

Registration is required to attend. Early bird pricing is available through January 12th. Attendees also have the option to renew or become a member of the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council with the purchase of a ticket to the forage conference (and receive a $5 discount off the cost of membership!). Payment is accepted by credit card or check payable to the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-475-4484.

At this field day you will get to see a rainwater harvesting system built onto a high tunnel (hoop house), which uses gutters, IBC totes, and rain barrels to collect and store rainwater. A drip irrigation system then waters crops in the high tunnel with the collected rainwater. The system also tests two different water treatment technologies to reduce the risk of human pathogens affecting the crops being irrigated with the rainwater.

This demonstration and research project is funded by USDA-NIFA and has been implemented by a multi-organization team led by Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein's Water Quality, Outreach, and Wellness Lab: https://sph.umd.edu/research-impact/laboratories-projects-and-programs/…

This is a contest in which teams compete. Youth and coaches who wish to participate should contact the county/city 4-H office for information about team selection. Team members selected for statewide competition must be registered using the 4HOnline system and approved by their county/city 4-H office. Entries are due by November 17th. For more information on the structure of teams, please refer to the section entitled, “Teams”. 

The contest will feature Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions. Registration for the event will open soon in 4-H Online and will be due by November 17, 2024.

The rules and regulations for the 2024 contest are posted on the Maryland 4-H webpage at: Dog Bowl Rules and Information

Contact Ashley Travis at ashley90@umd.edu or Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu if you have questions

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. 

Become a plant detective and enhance your diagnostic skills! Join Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, for a three-part plant diagnostic training series with a focus on diagnosing plant damage by insects and other arthropods. Live attendance is highly encouraged to participate in interactive portions of the training, but each training will be recorded if you cannot join us live. Training topics will include diagnostic tools, identification of plant damage categories and types, identification of common arthropod pests, plant diagnostic case studies, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to put their new skills to practice by virtually submitting monthly plant damage specimens. Register to receive webinar recording links and materials.

Schedule:
-Sept. 11th: Diagnosing plant problems
-Oct. 9th: Insect identification
-Nov. 13th: Integrated pest management & working with the public