Row Crop and Forage Production Meetings

Row Crop and Forage Production Meetings

Agronomy

IPM Webinar Series:
The series meets on the third Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 pm. For more details and registration, visit https://go.umd.edu/ipmwebinar. Maryland Pesticide Credits are available. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Hayden Schug at 301-226-7502.

• Aug 20, 2026: Common Diseases Right Now and How to Manage Them - Dr. Ana Cristina Fulladolsa, Plant Diagnostician, University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Lab

• Sep 17, 2026: Root-Knot Nematode Management in Vegetable Crops - Ben Beale, University of Maryland Extension

• Oct 15, 2026: Precision herbicide application - Dr. Travis Ford, University of Maryland Extension

****************************************************************************

Mid-Shore Grain Marketing Breakfast
Date: August 4. 2026  | Tuesday
Time: 7:30 am to 10:00 am  |  Cost: $10
Location: Thendara 4H- Center, 6275 Lords Crossing Road, Hurlock, MD 21643
Description: Topics include: Grain market outlook, August UDA WASDE, and elevator discounts.
Registration: https://UMEMSGMB2026.eventbrite.com or by calling 410-228-8800
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Emily Zobel at (410)-228-8800 or ezobel@umd.edu, by July 24, 2026.

****************************************************************************

Cover Crop Showcase
Date: August 19, 2026  |  Wednesday
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm  |  Cost: Free event with lunch included. (registration is required)
Location: Kings Grant Farm, 7029 Quakerneck Road, Chestertown, MD
Description: Interactive drone and cover crop related equipment demonstrations, Tour strip trials showcasing 14 species of summer cover crop, Interactive soil pit demonstration, Learn about cover crop planning and management and pest management in cover crops, Learn latest results from Maryland "planting green" research trials, and Pesticide and nutrient management credits offered. Funding for this project provided by Northeast SARE Research for Novel Approaches #LNE23481RAWD00001024; NFWF Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grant #78444; NFWF Small Watershed grant #83985; NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant #2445. This is a
partially outdoor event. University 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 a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Sarah Hirsh at 410-651-1350. Accommodations must be requested at least two weeks prior to attending the event.
Registration: go.umd.edu/covercropshowcase or call 410-6511350

****************************************************************************

Coffee and Conversations Farmer Breakfast Series #2
Date: August 21, 2026  |  Friday
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM  |  Cost: This is a free event and breakfast will be provided, but space is limited. Please register in advance so we can get an accurate headcount.
Location: Mountain Gate Family Restaurant, 133 Frederick Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
Description: These are casual “get to know you" type events where we will share a meal and get to know each other. Participants will meet the new Frederick County Agriculture Extension Agent and network with fellow farmers and community members. We will discuss challenges, celebrate successes, share experiences, and learn from others. I will also share information about extension and provide some farm safety and farm stress resources. Small Scale farmers, beginning farmers, and equestrians are all welcome to attend!
Registration: https://forms.gle/A81j41bhmyo11Sbx8

****************************************************************************

Coffee and Conversations for Veteran Farmers
Date: August 22, 2026  |  Saturday
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM  |  Cost: This is a free event and breakfast will be provided, but space is limited. Please register in advance so we can get an accurate headcount.
Location: Twin Arch Tavern, 1001 Twin Arch Rd, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Description: Connect with Extension: Meet Frederick County Extension Staff and network with fellow Veterans and family members. Share Resources: Discuss challenges, celebrate successes, share experiences, and learn from others. This is a free event and breakfast will be provided. Please fill out a registration for each person attending so we can get an accurate headcount!
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSP9LUAugTGTJnQppuOGpN7yuirub4XJybip1-oNco3e_4aA/viewform

****************************************************************************

Maryland Crop Scouting School 
Date: September 24, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 9:00 am to 2:45 pm  |  Cost: $10
Location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Description: Join us for a hands-on Crop Scouting School focused on building practical skills for identifying and managing pests, diseases, and crop issues in the field. Participants will learn how to scout effectively, recognize key problems, and make informed management decisions using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. This program is designed for farmers, crop consultants, and ag service providers looking to improve their field diagnostics and decision-making. This event covers common pests in row crop and vegetable production systems.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-crop-scouting-school-at-wye-tickets-1988090629591?aff=oddtdtcreator

Forage

Event: Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm
Date: August 6, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Plow and Stars Farm, 14010 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and the Million Acre Challenge for an educational pasture walk at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD (Montgomery county). Plow and Stars Farm raises grass-fed Katahdin lamb and poultry with a focus on diversified grazing and soil health practices. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: multi-species grazing, virtual fencing, transitioning conventional grain fields to regenerative agriculture, and silvopasture. Key soil health practices will be discussed, including improved nutrient cycling from diverse manure sources, enhanced soil structure, and increased soil organic matter. The workshop will also feature a demonstration of the Maryland Soil Health Card to assess physical and biological indicators of soil health, and monitor the outcomes of soil management practices .
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwAugust

***************************************************************************

Event: Pasture Walk at Grazy Days Family Farm
Date: September 21, 2026  |  Monday
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Grazy Days Family Farm, 12102 Coppermine Rd, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Grazy Days Family in Union Bridge, MD (Frederick county). Grazy Days Family Farm is a mother and daughter led farm raising 100% grass-fed lamb and local chestnuts. The farm focuses on regenerative agricultural practices, including grass-fed livestock production, promoting diversity throughout the farm, and integration of trees for silvopasture and fruit and nut production. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: grazing management for grass-fed lamb production, establishment of trees for silvopasture, and diversifying with tree crop production. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Agroforestry Specialist will also be on hand to answer questions related to technical and funding assistance available for agroforestry practice implementation.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwSeptember

Ag Law

Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees – What you Need to Know and Do

Are you trying to find, hire and keep great employees? Is it a bit confusing and time consuming? Do you know where to start and who to involve? Are you worried about the legal considerations when having non-family members employed? This course will help you sort through all these questions and concerns. Navigating this process doesn’t have to be difficult as this course will share with you. Through the four modules of this course, you’ll get important information and resources you can adapt for your own operation. For more information go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/grant-proposals/hiring-and-retaining-farm-employees

****************************************************************************

Land in Maryland: Basic Legal Issues for All 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://extension.umd.edu/resource/so-you-want-own-rural-land-maryland-basic-legal-issues-all-landowners-online-course/

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.