Agriculture and Food Systems

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. 

Read the Press Release Here.

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.