Agricultural Nutrient Management Meetings
Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) | Consultant Training | Nutrient Management Voucher | Certified Farmer Nutrient Management Plan Update Sessions
Nutrient Management Voucher
| Mar. 6, 2025 | Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification and Nutrient Voucher Training - Talbot County 10659 Hiners Lane, Easton, MD 21601 |
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Register |
| April 8, 2025 | Online Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification This session will focus on fertility and production related topics for all field crops, fruits and vegetables. This ZOOM recertification session will be live via the internet directly from the University of Maryland. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification. |
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Register |
Nutrient Management Training Program
| February 7, 2025 | Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Examination will be offered on February 07, 2025. This exam is for farmers and consultants who want to write nutrient management plans for others. There is a $50 non-refundable certification fee, however, government personnel are exempt with a Government Sales and Use Tax Exempt certificate. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions selected from twelve knowledgeable areas. |
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
Farmer Training & Certification (FTC)
For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Winter/Spring 2025 Sessions
Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who meet the minimum requirements ($2,500 gross agricultural income or 8 animal units) to learn how to write their own nutrient management plan (NMP). Interested producers may attend one of four sessions, see registration information below. Upon completion of this course producers will become certified to write their operation’s plan and will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
Time and Certification: This course requires a significant time commitment. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels and multiple sources of organic amendments may require additional training. Additional optional opportunities will be announced for each session during training. Farmers are required to have current soil and manure/organic tests prior to the training. To become certified, farmers must complete all coursework, pass the certification exam, and have their first nutrient management plan approved by MDA.
Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:
- Required Materials/Technology
- Reliable internet connection
- Email address
- Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
- Printer (provided for in-person courses)
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- PDF reader software
- Webcam (for online course)
- Required Skills
- Competency in high school math
- Intermediate computer skills including:
- Web browsing
- MS Office programs (Word, Excel), PDF readers
- Ability to download/open/save computer files
- Ability to learn a new software program (NuMan Pro)
Cost and Accommodation:
- Space is limited, register early. Registration will close one week prior to the course date or when capacity is reached.
- Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course) and $25 for NuMan Pro software.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training, please contact Kayla Griffith (kmgriffi@umd.edu) no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course.
Registration: Below are the four sessions that will be available during the winter and spring 2025. Register for one session only. Please pay particular attention to location, sessions are in-person or online only, there is no hybrid option. Registration is first come, first serve for those who have updated soil tests and manure tests (if applicable). Instructors reserve the right to cancel sessions that do not meet minimum registration requirements. Lunch will not be provided for in-person sessions, please plan accordingly.
| Dates | Location | Address | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A - MDA 1/28/2025, 1/30/2025, and 2/3/2025 |
In-person | Maryland Department of Agriculture (50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis MD 21401) | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionAWinter25 |
| Session B - Online 2/3/2025 through 3/7/2025 |
Online | Online | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionBWinter25 |
| Session C – Frederick Co. 3/24/2025, 3/26/2025, and 4/2/2025 |
In-person | Frederick County Extension (330 Montevue Lane, Frederick MD 21702) | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionCWinter25 |
| Session D - Online 3/31/2025 through 5/2/2025 |
Online | Online | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionDWinter25 |
Update Your Nutrient Management Plan (2025 Schedule)
Have you updated your nutrient management plan for the upcoming cropping season? Do you have questions? Do you need help getting started? Do you need a software refresher?
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) Nutrient Management Specialists will be available to assist you with updating to your nutrient management plan and the nutrient management planning software NuMan Pro 5.3. The sessions will be informal and participants will work at their own pace. Participants must be familiar with a keyboard/computer and able to retrieve and save files. Bring a keyboarding assistant, if needed.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
- A copy of your most recent nutrient management plan
- An electronic copy of your NuMan Pro file and other plan components on CD or memory stick
- Soil test results no older than Fall 2022
- A recent manure analysis (if manure is applied to your land)
- Knowledge of what crops are planned for the 2025 cropping season
- A record of manure applications made in the 2023 and 2024 cropping years
WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?
Laptop computers equipped with NuMan Pro 5.3 software, printers, and technical support to make the updating process quick and easy.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
- Registration is mandatory to ensure an adequate number of computers are available.
- Each session will be limited to 11 participants so register early.
- There is no fee to attend these sessions.
- Register by contacting Paul Shipley at 301-405-2563 or prs@umd.edu
- Note: Continuing education credits are not available for these sessions.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2025 (snow date: February 19, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
UME-Charles County Office 9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton, MD 20611 |
| February 11, 2025 (snow date: February 17, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
Wye Research and Education Center 124 Wye Narrows Drive, Queenstown, MD 21658 |
| February 18, 2025 (snow date: March 10, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
UME-Baltimore County Office 1114 Shawan Road, Suite 2, Cockeysville, MD 21030 |
| February 25, 2025 (snow date: March 3, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
UME-Frederick County Office 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702 |
| February 26, 2025 (snow date: March 4, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
UME-Washington County Office 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713 |
| April 7, 2025 (snow date: April 14, 2025) |
1:00pm-4:00pm (1:00pm-4:00pm) |
UME- Frederick County Office 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702 |
Agricultural Nutrient Management Program
The University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural Nutrient Management Program, which is a component of the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, focuses on balancing nutrient applications with crop requirements to optimize crop production while reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.