Southern Maryland Crops Conference and Dinner
This year, the 2023 Southern Maryland Crops Conference will once again be held in-person on Thursday, December 7, 2023. We are looking forward to seeing familiar faces return to the Baden Volunteer Fire Department Meeting Hall, 16608 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD, where we are excited to bring the latest updates on crop production and sustainable agriculture to Southern Maryland farmers.
The registration fee of $15.00 per person includes a catered dinner. Register by November 27, 2023, to ensure dinner availability.
Attendance at this program will fulfill the requirements for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification and Nutrient Management Voucher Training.
Register online through Eventbrite or by check for $15/person payable to Charles County EAC and mailed to :
UME-Charles County
ATTN: Crops Conference
9501 Crain Highway, Box 1
Bel Alton, MD 20611
The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Access Programs.
La Universidad de Maryland es una institución con Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleo y con Igualdad de Acceso a Programas.
New Updates to the Nutrient Management Program
University of Maryland Extension (UME) has launched an enhanced nutrient management planning process designed to adapt to modern farming practices and operations that better align with Maryland’s agricultural regulations and environmental goals. Moving forward, UME will now administer and coordinate statewide nutrient management planning following the finalization of the agreement between the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) and the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Position Announcement
Agent
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) seeks candidates for a 12-month tenure-track Extension Educator in the Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Program. The AgFS Extension Educator is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating Extension education programs for the agricultural and food systems communities as well as consumers. Specifically, this position will provide leadership and delivery of educational programming related to agronomy, fruits and vegetables, commercial horticulture, agribusiness management, livestock and poultry, and other areas of agriculture and food systems. This includes all aspects of production, harvesting, transport, storage, marketing, nutrient management, and sustainability issues. The position will conduct applied research and publish results that support the educational program. The AgFS Extension Educator will facilitate partnerships with local and state agencies, elected officials, communities, landowners, residents, industry, and environmental groups to develop economic opportunities while protecting and advocating for a science-based, responsible approach to agriculture, food, and the state’s natural resources. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with university policy and UME tenure guidelines within a defined timeframe.
Home Office Location:
UME Charles County Office, 9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton, MD 20611
Responsibilities:
- Develop, promote, implement, and evaluate agriculture and food systems education programs in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties.
- Develop and provide leadership in row-crop and forage production, fruit and vegetable production, ornamental horticulture, agricultural engineering and technology, farm and agribusiness management, integrated pest management, pesticide safety and handling, nutrient management, financial management, livestock and poultry, and natural resources conservation for producers, as well as diverse and underserved populations in the Southern Cluster counties.
- Teach targeted audiences science-based farming practices, procedures, techniques, and skills that will ultimately result in positive behavioral and/or practice change over time.
- Serve on and work collaboratively with UME teams to identify and develop statewide priorities and signature programs, as well as determine how and where to implement them across the state.
- Establish a subject matter expertise in agriculture and food systems, and lead appropriate applied, problem-solving research in that area.
- Interpret and disseminate the latest research findings in fields relevant to the position using publications and state-of-the-art education and communication techniques.
- Develop grant-funded projects, including securing extramural funding, to create, enhance, and expand educational programs including applied research and demonstration projects.
- Perform teaching, scholarship, and service requirements of a faculty member of the University of Maryland. This is a tenure-track position requiring documented accomplishments in the areas of research, teaching, and service.
- Attend regular meetings of the Charles Soil Conservation District and the local Farm Bureau, maintaining a relationship with them.
- Serve as a point of contact for the Calvert Soil Conservation District and the local Farm Bureau.
Best consideration date: 1/31/2024.
For more information and to apply, go to the ejobs website.
Coordinator (Nutrient Management Advisor) Statewide
University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Program seeks candidates for a 12-month Agricultural Nutrient Management Program (ANMP) Nutrient Management Advisor. ANMP Nutrient Management Advisors develop nutrient management plans for agricultural producers to balance nutrient inputs with crop requirements, thus optimizing production potential, improving farm profitability, reducing excess nutrient inputs into the Chesapeake Bay and enabling producers to comply with the State of Maryland’s Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.
Locations:
University of Maryland Extension is seeking to fill eight (8) Coordinator – Nutrient Management Advisor positions, with one position at each of the following county Extension office locations:
- Anne Arundel County (position number 128854)
- Baltimore County (position number 128838)
- Caroline County (position number 128845)
- Frederick County (position number 128841)
- Garrett and Allegany Counties (position number 128844)
- Montgomery County (position number 128857)
- Wicomico/Worcester County (position number 128843)
- Statewide (position number 128851)
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and deliver nutrient management plans using specially designed software and software applications.
- Explain nutrient management planning and plans to agricultural producers.
- Perform phosphorus-loss risk assessments when required.
- Communicate proper soil and manure sampling techniques for agricultural producers and advise soil and manure collection procedures.
- Sample and analyze soils for nitrate-related tests.
- Demonstrate and train agricultural producers in equipment calibration and crop yield measurements.
For more information and to apply, go to the ejobs website.

Persistence Creek Farm of Maryland has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Maryland Leopold Conservation Award®. The award is given to farmers, ranchers and forestland owners across the U.S. in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold.
Kevin and Lauren Warring’s Persistence Creek Farm is a grain, seafood and timber business in Charles County, in the southern part of the state. The Warrings were presented with the $10,000 award at the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention in Cambridge on Dec. 6, 2021.
Click on the full article for more information. Watch their video.
Farming Technical References
Agriculture Newsletters
Charles County Ag Updates: Timely updates on events, policies, announcements, and news happening locally and across the state. Sign up to receive the updates.
2020 Roots in Research: an inside look at the research taking place at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center in Upper Marlboro (CMREC-UM). 2019 Edition
Vegetable and Fruit News: A publication of Anne Arundel County.
Charles County Agriculture News: Monthly updates, events, and information related to the local agriculture industry
Agronomy News: Published monthly during the growing season and provides timely updates on topics relevant to row crop production
Timely Viticulture: Electronic newsletter that is designed to give those in the grape industry a timely reminder of things they should be considering in the vineyard
Wild and Wooly Newsletter: Quarterly newsletter for sheep and goat producers and anyone else who is interested in small ruminants
Greenhouse TPM/IPM Report: Alert to inform commercial greenhouse and cut flower producers of pest or disease issues during the growing season
Ornamental TPM/IPM Report: Report is for arborists, landscape managers, and nursery managers
Plant Science Food Safety Group: Sign up for their weekly newsletter at Food Safety Newsletter
Urban Agriculture Extension: Monthly newsletter of Urban Ag Extension in Baltimore City
Videos
Who Needs Nutrient Management?
You need a Nutrient Management Plan if you produce $2,500.00 in gross annual income from your agricultural operation annually OR have 8 animal units or more (animal units vary depending on species.) Call: Francis Warring, Nutrient Management Advisor (301) 934-5403 / DC Area (301) 753-8195.
Overview of the Agricultural Nutrient Management Program
UME's Agricultural Nutrient Management Program
Annual Implementation Report forms and instructions
Information about nutrient management training for certified plan writers and voucher holders
Information on laws regulating agricultural nutrient management in Maryland
Stress Management for Farm Families
The University of Maryland Extension Farm Stress Management Team provides education and outreach on topics related to mental and physical wellness for farmers, families, and communities. Specifically, we focus on developing resources to alleviate stressors driven by financial, legal, or mental health issues.
Free Therapy Sessions for farm families. For more information. go to Farm Stress Management.
Other Useful AG Links
For more information, contact:
Benjamin Beale
Principal Agent
Agriculture and Food Systems Educator
301-475-4481
Francis Warring
Coordinator, Nutrient Management Advisor
301-934-5403, Ext. 201
fwarring@umd.edu