Publications

This factsheet will explore the definition of urban agriculture and urban farming, with a focus on the state of Maryland. We will introduce readers to the wide variety of production practices and business models that urban growers use, with photographs and examples. Neith Little, author. "What is Urban Agriculture? (FS-1169)

This report explores the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. The report also addresses the deployment capacity and market potential for residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors within Maryland. Various solar initiatives, legislation, and other enabling policies currently impacting the solar market are also discussed. Author: Drew Schiavone; Title: Maryland’s Energy Market: The State Consumes More Energy than it Produces (FS-1188)

In this fact sheet and in the associated series of infographics, we will examine a variety of illnesses which impact the leg health of poultry, including: Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO), Bumblefoot Osteoporosis, Tibial Dyschondroplasia (TD), and Twisted Legs. Authors: Anna Magnaterra and Dr. Shawna Weimer. Title: Leg Health in Chickens (FS-1179).

Health insurance plans have different rules about the health providers you can use and the claims they will cover, and appealing their decisions can be confusing. This article provides an easy guide to the health insurance claim and appeal process. Authors: Dorthy Nuckols, Catherine Sorenson, Lisa Mccoy, Rebecca Ajiboye. Title: Health Insurance Claim Problem? How to Navigate the Health Insurance Claims Process (FS-1181)

This fact sheet describes an innovative rainwater harvesting system used to irrigate produce at the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs's garden in Frederick, Maryland. The rainwater harvesting system has diverted stormwater, increased food security, and improved well-being in the community. Authors: Mayhah Suri and Dr.Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein; Title: Watering Seeds of Change with Rainwater (FS-1123)

This Fact Sheet highlights how Cooperative Extension at U.S. Land Grant Institutions benefits from and contributes to efforts toward global food security through knowledge and technology transfer, innovative leadership, cultural exchange, and institutional capacity building. Author: Taryn Devereux; Title: Why Extension Abroad Matters at Home- A Fact Sheet for Extension Specialists and Leaders (EBR-61)

During a pandemic, empower yourself and help remove the stigma related to mental and emotional health needs through education. Author: Amy Rhodes; Title: Protecting Your Mental and Emotional Health From Coronavirus (EBR-54)

Independent of the target market of your apples, estimating optimum harvest dates is critical not only for scheduling labor, but also to ensure a high-quality product. Author: Macarena Farcuh; Title: How Can Growers Determine Apple Fruit Maturity and Optimal Harvest Dates? (FS-1180)

As a prey species, chickens are stoic and typically suppress signs of weakness, including when they are sick. It is difficult to detect sick chickens because they rarely show signs of illness before it becomes severe. Chickens also instinctually hide sickness behavior in the presence of a perceived threat, such as humans, because such behavior tells predators that the ill chicken may be an easy meal (Figure 1; Tizard, 2008). While sickness is mainly associated with pathogenic disease, sickness behavior can also result from injury, nutrient deficiency, and environmental stressors, such as thermal stress. Authors: Ashlyn Snyder, Dr. Jon Moyle, and Dr. Shawna Weimer; Title: Sickness Behavior in Chickens (FS-1178)

Chickens of all types use vocalizations to communicate with each other and express their needs. We can gain insight into chicken health, behavior, and overall welfare by understanding how and why chickens vocalize. Authors: Zoie McMillian and Shawna Weimer; Title: Relationships Between Chicken Vocalizations and Health, Behavior, and Welfare (FS-1177)