Educational Events

Field days or pasture walks are typically held as half-day or evening workshops with opportunities for hands-on participation and discussion. Topics vary from event to event but usually include information on pasture and grazing management, hay production, nutrient management, and/or forage-related research updates. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2024 Pasture Walks/Field Days

• Pasture Walk at Hidden Waters Farm - April 16, 2024
• Allen Williams Field Day - April 25, 2024
• Grazing Cover Crops Field Day at WMREC - May 8, 2024
• Pasture Walk at New Roots Farm - May 16, 2024
• Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm - June 24, 2024
• Pasture Walk at Western Maryland REC - July 23, 2024
• Drone Seed Planting Demo - September 17, 2024

Stay tuned for additional dates and locations!

Designed with producer interests in mind, these 2-day grazing schools will offer a more in-depth education on pasture, grazing management, and farm sustainability. Enrollment is limited to keep group sizes small and allow for more hands-on activities, interaction, and networking opportunities. Reserve your spot today and come learn everything you need to know to better manage grazing on your farm! For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2024 Maryland Grazing Schools

• Equine Grazing School - June 19th and 22nd, 2024
• Maryland Grazing School - TBD (likely spring 2025)

These 2-day workshops are designed for producers looking to transform their operation into a profitable business with less work and stress. Workshop attendees will dive deeper into the principles behind farm economics and increasing farm profitability. The workshops are put on by the Ranching for Profit team and feature a small group approach with team and class discussions, case studies, videos, interactions, and direct application to the participants own situation. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2024 Ranching for Profit Workshops

• Virginia Ranching for Profit Workshop - October 22-23, 2024
• Maryland Ranching for Profit Workshop - October 24-25, 2024

Webinars are typically held as one hour sessions with opportunities for participant Q&A and discussion. Topics vary but may include information on pasture and grazing management, forage production, hay selection and feeding, and nutrient management for forages. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below. 

Women in Agriculture Webinar Series

• Strategies to Extend the Grazing Season - April 9, 2024
• How to Interpret a Soil Test Report - October 8, 2024
• Advanced Cover Cropping - November 12, 2024

Recordings from previous webinars are also available for viewing on the Maryland Forages YouTube Channel or the Maryland Beef Extension YouTube Channel. Stay tuned for additional webinar opportunities in 2024!

Recordings from Previous Webinars

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Toxic tall fescue reduces livestock weight gains and lowers reproductive performance. This one day workshop is put on by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal and focuses on managing tall fescue toxicity and integrating novel tall fescue varieties into a grazing system. Speakers include local producers, company representatives, and Extension specialists from across the country. For details on upcoming workshops, click on the link below.

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Beef Short Courses

University of Maryland Extension and the Department of Animal Science have partnered up for these short courses which provide producers with educational information and hands-on training in several areas of beef production. Focus areas vary slightly from year to year but may include topics such as basic beef cattle production, beef cattle reproduction, and pasture development and management. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the link below.

Beef Short Course Information

Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

The Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences are held each year in January at four locations across Delaware and Maryland and cover educational information on all things forage. This educational series is a joint effort between the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, University of Maryland Extension, and University of Delaware Extension. For details, agendas, and registration information, click on the links below.

2024 Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

• Delmarva Forage Conference - January 9, 2024
• Southern Maryland Forage Conference - January 16, 2024
• Western Maryland Forage Conference - January 17, 2024
• Central Maryland Forage Conference - January 18, 2024
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Maryland-Delaware Forage Council

Recordings from 2022 Virtual Conference

Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference

The Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference is held annually at different locations across the Northeast. The conference features scientific and experiential presentations, posters, and discussion, including a grazing research priorities brainstorming session. For 2024, this conference will be held virtually on January 25-27th. For additional details and registration information, click on the link below.

Northeast Pasture Consortium

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference

The Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference is held annually in Washington County, MD. The conference features a variety of presentations on topics related to livestock, forages, and grazing management. For 2023, this conference will be held on December 14th. For additional details and registration information, click on the link below.

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference