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.

Faculty Specialist (Agricultural Nutrient Management Program Director

The Agricultural Nutrient Management Program (ANMP) Director works collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Agriculture and Food Systems Extension (AgFS) to provide leadership for the ANMP which is dedicated to delivering education, research, and plan writing services in the field of agricultural nutrient management throughout Maryland.

Responsibilities Include:

• Oversee and coordinate ANMP proposal and budget development, program management, and facilitate both interagency and inter-college collaborations to enhance the capacity of the University of Maryland to provide nutrient management education and services.
• Coordinate and develop the annual ANMP plan of work and budget in accordance with guidelines from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within university policies and ANMP goals.
• Strategically plan for ongoing ANMP development and innovative growth including working with University of Maryland Extension (UME) administration, and federal, state, and local community partners.
• Develop and adapt systems for ANMP fiscal management that comply with MDA and EPA guidelines.
• Develop ANMP procedures in accordance with university policies and MDA guidelines, and communicate these policies to campus, county, and state stakeholders and educators for reporting, program development, fiscal management, and supervision of personnel.
• Collaborate with the AgFS Assistant Director to develop the required reports for MDA, EPA, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with AgFS faculty and staff to develop statewide program design, delivery, and outcomes.
• Supervise ANMP nutrient management specialists and advisors to provide nutrient management training and services.
• Provide daily management of the ANMP office staff on strategies for ongoing support to university and county ANMP efforts in program management, evaluation and reporting, proposal development, training, and growth.
• Coordinate and implement ANMP hiring procedures developed in coordination with College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) Human Resources (and update when necessary) and serve as the Hiring Authority for all ANMP faculty and staff hires.
• Coordinate ANMP evaluation systems and impact assessment by ensuring that ANMP evaluation plans are aligned with MDA and EPA requirements, and UME goals, reporting systems, and impact teams.
• Collaborate with the AgFS Assistant Director, the ANMP Advisory Council, and the ANMP team to develop a marketing plan to communicate ANMP impact to the university community, Extension colleagues, MDA, EPA, and program partners and stakeholders.
• Assist nutrient management advisors and specialists with engaging and providing service to socially disadvantaged and underrepresented farmers.
• Oversee United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Management Evaluation reviews.

Best consideration date: February 18, 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.