Publications

Whether you buy or cut your own firewood, chances are that you still have plenty left to learn. Even people who have been heating with wood for decades often say “I wish I knew that years ago!” after reading tips like the ones contained here. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are sold substandard cord wood. This sheet will help you avoid getting a raw deal next time you buy firewood. And if you heat with pellets, there are new developments you should know that will impact the fuel you buy.

It’s late spring and corn has emerged. For much of the state, heavy rains have continued for several days, bringing flooding to low lying areas and causing ponding in fields. In this scenario, farmers are faced with the question of whether their corn will recover, or should they proceed with replanting.

Of the many species of thrips commonly found in greenhouses, flower thrips (Frankliniella tritici), western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) are most problematic. Chilli thrips is the fastest spreading thrips and is found throughout North America, but mainly in Florida and Texas. Adults of these three species are about 1 - 2 mm long, slender and just visible to the naked eye. Adult thrips are hard to notice flying in the greenhouse, but both nymphs and adults can often be detected in the open blossoms of your greenhouse crops.

This checklist is designed to assist residential energy auditors in providing recommendations to homeowners about their wood stove, which may be their primary or secondary heating system. This publication was produced by the Alliance for Green Heat, a non-profit educational organization, with funding from the University of Maryland Extension. 

On May 22, 2012 Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed a bill into law to ban the use of arsenic additives in poultry feed. This is the first such ban passed in the United States. The Maryland State Legisiature requested researchers from the University of Maryland to conduct a literature review on the Environmental Concerns of Arsenic Additives in Poultry Litter. This proved useful to the legisiators in their discussions of banning the use of arsenic in poutlry feed. This report provides a short summary of the findings of the reviews.

This factsheet contains a listing of important resources as you consider developing a new farm enterprise.

The horse trailer is only half of the towing rig; selecting the appropriate vehicle to haul your trailer is just as important as selecting the trailer itself.

Horse trailers come in a variety of configurations and sizes. From tagalong one-horse trailers to self-propelled horse vans to semi-driven rigs, the choices can be daunting. Learn about the factors to consider when determining which type of trailer is best for you.

From choosing the right trailer and towing vehicle to proper preparations prior to traveling, this publication outlines the important factors to consider before transporting your horse. The most important decision in selecting a trailer is the comfort and safety of the animal. Choose a towing vehicle with an adequate tow rating for your trailer. Use the pre-trip safety checklist included in this fact sheet to go over the trailer, towing vehicle and equipment needed before trailering and in case of emergencies. Proper preparation and practice for trailering your horse will avoid many problems while traveling.

Water is a valuable resource. Many homeowners are concerned about natural gas development associated with the Marcellus Shale formation and their private water supply. This informational sheet is designed to provide citizens with private water supplies an understanding of potential water quality impacts, pertinent water testing parameters, general water quantity and quality monitoring procedures, and laboratory resources related to natural gas development.