Row Crop and Forage Production Meetings

Agronomy

Event: UMES Extension's Annual Small Farm Conference
Date: November 1-2, 2024  | Friday & Saturday
Time:

• Friday: Check in 8 a.m. Program runs 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with lunch included.
• Saturday: Check in is at 8 a.m. Full buffet breakfast and networking are from 8-9:30 a.m. Programing runs 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with lunch included.

Location: 30665 Student Services Center Lane Princess Anne, MD 21853
Description: Learn tools and strategies to increase farm profitability and promote farm sustainability at UMES Extension’s Small Farm Conference 2024. This event equips farmers and landowners in Maryland and along the Delmarva Peninsula with tools and strategies to increase farm profitability and promote farm sustainability. The overall conference will consist of three tracks (non-traditional agriculture; business and marketing; and ag research and trending topics). Demonstrations and tours will round out the conference.
Cost: Pre-registration is required for each participant; no walk-ups will be accepted. This event is geared toward adults. Registration ends Oct. 23.

Full conference cost:

• $60 for early-bird (ends Sept. 22) per participant
• $80 for regular-price (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) per participant

Single day cost (Friday or Saturday):

• $30 for early-bird (ends Sept. 22) per participant
• $40 for regular-price (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) per participant

For more information or to register go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-farm-conference-2024-tickets-950081969747

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Event: Advanced Cover Cropping
Date: November 12, 2024  | Tuesday
Time: 12:00 noon | Cost: Free
Location: Online webinar (Zoom)
Description: We will present a cover crop planning protocol and tools for getting more agronomic and financial benefits from cover cropping. We will evaluate successful cover crop systems used in various farming enterprises and scales.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-women-in-ag-webinars-tickets-770439012827

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Event: Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School
Date: November 19-21, 2024 | Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
Location: Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort, 9110 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Cost: Early Bird $350 (deadline Oct. 25); General $410; Guest Ticket (meals only $110 (registrant bringing guest or spouse)
Registration: go.umd.edu/24crop (Payment of the registration fee entitles you to participation in 2½ days of sessions, materials, 3 continental breakfasts, 2 lunches, and refreshment breaks.)
Description: The 2024 event booklet and description of courses can be found here. Please read over the classes prior to registration as you will be required to select all of your courses during the registration process.

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Event: Washington County Agronomy Day
Date: Dec. 4, 2024  | Wednesday
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Washington County Agricultural Center- Multi-Purpose Building, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713
For more information contact: Jeff Semler

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Event: Northern Maryland Field Crops Day
Date: Dec. 5, 2024  | Thursday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Summit Manor at Hereford Fire Hall, 510 Monkton Rd., Monkton, MD 21111
For more information contact: Erika Crowl

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Event: Kent County Agronomy Breakfast
Date: Dec. 11, 2024  | Wednesday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Chester River Yacht and Country Club, 7738 Quaker Neck Rd., Chestertown, MD 21620
For more information contact: Dwayne Joseph

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Event: Southern Maryland Crops Conference and Dinner
Date: Dec. 12, 2024  | Thursday
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Baden Volunteer Fire Department, 16608 Brandywine Rd.,Brandywine, MD 20613
For more information contact: Hayen Schug

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Event: Talbot County Corn Club Banquet
Date: Jan. 8, 2025  | Wednesday
Time: 6:00 p.m. | Cost: $20
Location: VFW, Post 5118, 355 Glebe Road, Easton.
Description: Join us in celebrating the 2024 Harvest, awards for contestants and recognitions for sponsors will be given out during the evening. The program includes a keynote speaker, weather report and crop summary report.
Register: https://2024cornclub.eventbrite.com/

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Event: Carroll County Mid-Winter Meeting
Date: Jan. 9, 2025  | Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Carroll County Ag Center-Burns Memorial Hall, 706 Agricultural Center Dr., Westminster, MD 21157
For more information contact Bryan Butler at 410-386-2760 or email bbutlers@umd.edu

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Event: Lower Shore Agronomy Day
Date: Jan. 22, 2025  | Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Somerset County Civic Center, Cristfield Ln., Princess Anne, MD 21853
For more information contact Sarah Hirsh

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Event: Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting
Date: Feb. 6, 2025  | Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Calvert Grange, 2357 Telegraph Rd., Rising Sun, MD.
For more information contact Doris Dehnke at 410-996-8135 or dbehnke@umd.edu

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Event: Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting
Date: Feb. 11, 2025  | Tuesday
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Deer Creek Overlook, 6 Cherry Hill Rd., Street, Maryland 2115
For more information contact Andy Kness

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Event: Central Maryland Agronomy Meeting
Date: Feb. 19, 2025  | Wednesday
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Urbana Fire Hall, 3602 Urbana Pike, Urbana, Maryland 21704
For more information contact Mark Townsend

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Event: Mid-Shore Agronomy Day
Date: Feb. 20, 2025  | Thursday
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Caroline County 4-H Park, 8230 Detour Road, Denton, MD 21629-2166
For more information call the UME-Caroline office at 410-479-4030

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Event: Queen Anne's County Agronomy Meeting
Date: Feb. 28, 2025  | Friday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Queen Anne's County 4-H Park, 1945 4-H Park Rd Centreville, MD 21617
 For more information contact Jenny Rhodes

Forage

Event: Ranching for Profit Workshop (RFP)
Date: October 24 & 25, 2024  | Thursday & Friday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, MD 21541  |  Cost: General admission-Full workshop $150.00 (both days), General admission-Thursday (10/24) $100.00, General admission-Friday (10/25) $100.00
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ranching-for-profit-workshop-md-2024-tickets-972429933107
Description: This Ranching for Profit workshop is designed for producers looking to transform their operation into a profitable business with less work and stress. Workshop attendees will dive deeper into the principles behind farm economics and increasing farm profitability, giving participants the tools and insights they need to improve their business.

Day 1 (Oct 24th): Three Secrets for Increasing Profits

• Setting a profit target and working backwards to achieve it
• Projecting profit or loss using the RFP 7-step profit planning model
• Using benchmarks to identify your profit drivers and find your "dead wood"
• Restructuring your operation for profitability

Day 2 (Oct 25th): Cattlemen vs. Grassmen - Economic Leverage of Grazing

• The value of cattle vs. the value of grass
• Stocking rate vs. carrying capacity
• Soil health is the foundation of ag business health
• Applying the 3 secrets for increasing profits into the 5 cell grazing principles

This 2-day workshop will be taught by Jordan Steele, one of the experts on the Ranching for Profit team and director of operations for Ranch Management Consultants. Jordan grew up on a cow-calf operation near Aladdin, WY before completing his Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wyoming. He worked for the Kansas Farm Management Association for over 7 years where he specialized in agricultural business recordkeeping, finanial analysis and interpretation, and income tax preparation for farmers and ranchers. Jordan attended his first RFP school in 2017 and was instantly hooked on how well the program delivery ties together the people, money, and production areas of farming and ranching.

The workshop will feature a small group approach with team and class discussions, case studies, videos, interactions, and direct application to the participants’ own situation to make for a fun and effective learning environment.

The event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. Lunch will be provided each day. If you have questions or need assistance please contact your local county Extension office or the Western Maryland Research and Education Center at 301-432-2767. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

This event is brought to you by University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, and American Farmland Trust. Thank you to our event partners!

University of Maryland Extension 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 us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Ag Law

Event: 2024 Annual Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference
Date: Nov. 12, 2024  |  Tuesday
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 3:05 PM  |  Cost: Early $75 (on or before Oct. 22); Regular: $125
Location: Graduate by Hilton Annapolis, 126 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Description: The annual Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference is a unique gathering of agricultural professionals, attorneys, educators, environmentalists, farmers, policymakers, and students to discuss the complex intersection of environmental regulation and agriculture in Maryland. ALEI prides itself on hosting an event that brings farming and conservation experts together in a forum that allows for an exchange of ideas and education for conference attendees on current legal topics of interest. Nutrient Management Education Credits will be available.
For more information: https://umaglaw.org/alei-ag-and-environmental-law-conference/2024-annual-agricultural-and-environmental-law-conference/

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Land in Maryland: Basic Legal Issues for All Landowners (ONLINE COURSE FOR LANDOWNERS)
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) has released a new online course for rural landowners in Maryland. The So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland course is now available through the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management System – Canvas. The free program will cover those legal issues that Maryland landowners may face. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The online course will feature Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landowner liability issues, right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability, and estate planning. For more information or to register, go to https://go.umd.edu/3ZSkv4r.

Farm Stress Management

Farm Stress Management Course
This online self-paced training is designed for Agriculture Service Providers to equip them with the skills and knowledge to support farms and farm families in times of distress. The training was developed by the University of Maryland Extension Farm Stress Management Team. The goals include: identify signs of distress, develop skills to communicate with those experiencing stress, and provide resources both locally and nationally. Financial and regulatory topics will also be discussed as they are often contributors to stress on the farm. To access the course visit our online portal at https://umeagfs.teachable.com/p/farm-stress-management.

For more information on the Farm Stress Management program visit go.umd.edu/farmfamily. The program is open to all and is funded through a grant with the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under sub award number ENE20-160-34268.