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Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Washington County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents assist farmers and landowners by providing technical and educational information. These services are designed to offer the latest in best management practices to improve profitability, while being sensitive to the environmental impacts on the county's water and soil resources.

Agriculture programs focus on issues which include:

  • Crop Production
  • Dairy Production and Management
  • Forage Production Management
  • Pasture Management
  • Farm Management
  • Livestock Production
  • Environmental Quality

Special annual programs include the Annual Pesticide Recertification, Nutrient Management Training and University of Maryland Western Maryland Research and Education Center Field Day. Certification classes for private pesticide applicators are conducted several times a year.

For more information about the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, please contact Jeff Semler, jsemler@umd.edu, Extension Educator, Ag & Natural Resources.


Nutrient Management Program

Washington County Nutrient Management Advisors work with farmers to develop plans to balance nutrient application rates with nutrient requirements, thereby protecting water quality and enhancing farm profitability.

The Nutrient Management Program, a cooperative effort with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, includes soil and manure testing, developing realistic yield goals, corn pre-sidedress nitrate tests (PSNT) and equipment calibration. Currently, 60% of county cropland and pastureland is under nutrient management plans. Of these 75,000 acres, nearly 95% are under plans developed with the Extension Nutrient Management Advisors.

For more information on the Nutrient Management Program, please contact our Nutrient Management Advisors, Rich Spoonire, rspoonire@umd.edu, or Brian Forsythe, bforsyt1@umd.edu. 


Soil Testing

A list of regional soil testing laboratories is available by using this link.

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For more information, contact Jeff Semler

Last updated: 11/2/2009