Agriculture in St. Mary's County

OUR AGRICULTURAL EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP
For over 150 years, the University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland communities. We will not waver on our promise to enhance the public good through the support of the farmers and citizens of St. Mary's County. The St. Mary’s Extension office is the go-to source for assistance with production agriculture, whether it be starting a new farm or dealing with a new pest challenge.

The Office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm. No appointment is required.

Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.

Field visits: We continue to conduct on-site field visits for the diagnosis of production issues.

We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agents:

Ben Beale-St. Mary's County
301-226-7781, 301-481-7209
bbeale@umd.edu
https://extension.umd.edu/locations/st-marys-county

Hayden Schug-Charles County

301-226-7502

hschug@umd.edu

Dave Myers-Anne Arundel County
410-222-3906
myersrd@umd.edu
https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county

Nutrient Management Program

Nutrient Management Program Changes

MDA/AGNR announcement

Contact your local Extension office for nutrient management plans and documentation

Nutrient Management plans are science-based documents that help farmers manage fertilizers, animal waste, and other nutrient sources more efficiently to meet crop needs while protecting water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. All farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight are required by law to run their operations using a nutrient management plan that addresses both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. The requirement applies to all agricultural land used to produce plants, food, feed, fiber, animals or other agricultural products.

For more information, contact Greg Simpson 301-475-4480 or simpsong@umd.edu

Soil Sampling Procedures

Soil Testing Video (HGIC) - How to collect a sample

Soil Testing Labs

Understanding a soil test report

UME Agricultural Nutrient Management

Maryland Department of Agriculture- Nutrient Management

FARM News

Farm News February 2025

Farm News October 2024

Vegetable & Fruit News

2024 Vegetable & Fruit News

Agronomy News

2024 Agronomy News

St. Mary's County Farm News

FARM NEWS SPRING 2023

ROOTS IN RESEARCH

Yield of 2021

Palmer Amaranth

How to Identify Palmer Amaranth

Management of Herbicide Resistant Weeds

Palmer Amaranth ID

Palmer Amaranth in Maryland

Management of Palmer Amaranth in 2018

Common Ragweed

Managing Herbicide Resistant Common Ragweed

Focus on Common Ragweed and Marestail/Horsetail

Small Fruit

Presentation: Performance of Rabbiteye, Southern Highbush and Northern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars in Southern Maryland

Factsheet: Performance of Rabbiteye, Southern Highbush and Northern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars in Southern Maryland

2019 Small Fruit Trials Plot Map

Tobacco

Performance of Fungicides and Varietal Resistance for the Management of Black Shank in the Southern Maryland Region

Pesticides Labeled for Maryland

Performance of Alternative Nitrogen Source/Fertility Programs for Burley Tobacco in Maryland

Sample Spray Program for Broadleaf Tobacco Grown in Maryland

The Culture of MD Tobacco

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

Wheat bran and molasses sounds like a healthy combination for breakfast cereal, but what impact does it have as a soil treatment for persistent soil borne diseases? A new process called ASD or Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation uses a combination of organic matter and sugars (wheat middling’s and molasses for example) in an anaerobic environment to reduce plant pathogens, weeds and nematodes in soil. Research on ASD was initiated followed the observation that disease was suppressed following periods of flooding. Additional research indicated the disease suppression was enhanced by the addition of organic amendments. The process produces anaerobic conditions that results in volatile compounds such as toxic organic acids and enhances beneficial anaerobic soil microorganisms. Ben Beale, Sarah Hirsh, Habtamu Demissie and Kate Everts trialed this method last fall in two high tunnels (houses) in St. Mary’s county, MD.

Read the results here

Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide

2024-2025 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

Spray Program for Multi-Tree Fruit Orchards

Spring Vineyard Pruning

Loveville Produce Auction Brochure 2023

Loveville Produce Auction Brochure 2024

Agriculture in St. Mary's County