Agriculture

Nate Richards, Kent Senior Agriculture Associate

nrichard@umd.edu [1]

410-778-1661

Nate Richards, Extension Senior Associate, Agriculture and Natural Resources, coordinates the agriculture program in Kent County. Nate received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Following graduation, he worked for three years as the assistant manager for tree growing operations for a prominent, large-caliper wholesale tree nursery headquartered in Maryland. He has served as a research assistant for a deep nitrogen cover crop study at the University of Maryland, and as a Biological Science Technician for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Beltsville, Maryland. Nate is a native of Montgomery County, Maryland. He has been coming to Kent County for more than 20 years on holidays to visit his aunt, who lives in Chestertown. 

Please feel free to stop by, pick up the phone or email him if you have any problems, concerns, or ideas for new programs!

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Agriculture and natural resources are crucial to Maryland’s economy, environment and way of life of its residents. From the food we eat, to the flowers and plants in our homes, the landscaping of our yards, valuable real estate, beautiful coastal waters and fine recreational hunting all relate to the state’s agricultural land use.

 Over two million acres are farmed in Maryland by a variety of crops, livestock and industries.  Commodities such as corn grain, soybeans and wheat feed poultry and livestock. Vegetable and fruit crops are grown in the local season for wholesale, retail and farmers markets. The nursery and greenhouse industry supplies residents, businesses and urban areas with plants, shrubs and trees.

 The University of Maryland Extension is a source of research based agriculture technical information and is provided through various fact sheets, workshops, field days, one on one consultations and educational seminars. Major educational programs focus on commercial vegetable, fruit and field crop production; nursery and greenhouse production; nutrient management; integrated pest management; safety training for pesticide license certification; risk management; pasture and livestock management.

 For more information about agriculture in Maryland click here [2].

 Click on any of the agriculture programs listed below to find out more information:

• Ag Marketing [3]
• Annie’s Project [4]
• Aquaculture [5]
• Aronia [6]
• Beginning Farmer Success [7]
• Grain Marketing [8]
• IPMnet [9]
• Kids Growing With Grains [10]
• LEAD Maryland [11]
• Maryland Horses [12]
• Maryland Poultry [13]
• Maryland Vegetables [14]
• MREDC [15]
• Viticulture and Small Fruit [2]
• Women In Agriculture [16]

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COVID NEWS:  The Maryland Department of Agriculture has compiled an interactive map to show where Maryland's farmers markets and seafood companies are located around the state. They have also highlighted Maryland farmers and seafood companies doing direct sales to replace markets unavailable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the link below to find one near you and support Maryland agriculture:

Maryland Farmers Market Directory Map [17]