Webinars

7/14/2021: What You Need to Know to Grow Your Own Fruit

This webinar will cover information about the types of perennial fruit that can be grown in Maryland including: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, cherries, peaches, plums and pears. We will discuss how much and what kind of management and land preparation is required prior to and after planting. Lastly, some specific challenges growers face will be discussed and tips for cultivating different fruit crops will be given.

7/28/2021: Principles of Biological Control

Bugs that eat bugs can be a farmer's ally for protecting crops without resorting to chemical pesticides. This webinar will review some of the biology and ecology of predatory and parasitic insect species that help keep pest insects in check. We will cover the fundamentals of biological control, and review how to maximize natural pest control in different cropping systems.

8/11/2021: Basics of Pond Management

This webinar will cover the basics of pond ecology and managing ponds for varied uses, irrigation and recreation - swimming or fishing. Algae/aquatic plants and their management and water quality will be presented.

8/25/2021: Principles of Agronomy

Agronomy is the science and practice of growing plants for food, feed, and fiber. General principles of agronomy include planting, fertility, and pest management decisions and how this may apply across different crops and rotations.

9/8/2021: Managing Farm Family Finances 

Farm and family finances often work together to keep the business and family functioning. This session will review strategies you can use to take control of your family finances that will build financial security and resilience.

9/22/2021: Smart Phone Videos: Top 10 Tips for Awesome Videos from Your Smartphone

Michele Walfred updates her presentation and covers essential equipment, microphones, lighting and techniques to produce professional-quality videos for your business or outreach. 

10/13/2021: What is Fruit Quality and Factors That Affect it?

Do you enjoy eating delicious fruits? Fruit Quality determines consumer acceptability and fruit marketability. This session will help you understand what is fruit quality, how can it be measured, what are some of the factors that affect it, and what can be done to improve or maintain it.    

10/27/2021: Managing Your Finances Resiliently 

Are you feeling stressed about money? Wondering how you can manage the stress and build your financial security. This session will focus on using the farm and farm family resilience worksheet to get organized and take steps to financial wellness.

11/10/2021: Wildlife management on the farm

From deer in crops to biosecurity, wildlife can have a major effect on agriculture.  We review a variety of approaches to solving ag-related wildlife problems and improving habitat for healthy wildlife populations.

11/24/2021: No webinar, Thanksgiving week

12/8/2021: Helping Farmers to be Good Neighbors

As rural areas become more developed it is so important for farmers to be good neighbors. New neighbors may have never been exposed to production agriculture might complain about a farm's noise, pesticide application, odors, dust or a newly constructed farm building. This session will discuss many aspects of  how to be a good neighbor from the appearance of their farm to community involvement.

12/22/2021: No webinar, Christmas week

Creating a Farm Business of Continuity Plan

• A continuity of business (C.O.B) plan is created to outline business functions in the event of a major disruption. It addresses issues such as loss of income, protecting employees and essential business activities. For farms this is especially important because of contributions to the food supply and the essential function of taking care of crops and animals. This webinar outlines a very brief but practical guide to operating your farm during a disaster, disruption and otherwise uncertain time.

Creating a Farm Loan Package

• This webinar will provide a basic overview of a farm loan package. It is a practical program with real-world examples and helpful tips. The course is directed to those interested in borrowing money to start, grow or expand their business.

Developing a Farm Strategy

• Developing an overall farm strategy is a part of a farm business plan. This strategy includes a number of steps focused on market segments, characteristics of those segments, and forming a plan around the needs of each segment. The purpose of the process is to develop a plan for your business to achieve your personal goals.

Enterprise Budgeting

• Enterprise budgets are an organized listing of the expected income and costs of a product or service. This webinar will take a look at parts of an enterprise budget, how to development an enterprise budget and how to analyze the projected profitability of that enterprise.

Estimating and Tracking Production Costs

• The ability to effectively estimate and track production costs is essential to farm business decision making. This session will discuss methods for estimating costs and how to manage expenses.

Excel and Spreadsheets on the Farm

• Excel is powerful software that can help record, organize and sort your farm data. This webinar will provide an overview of excel spreadsheets and ideas on how to organize them for farm use.  

Farm Financial Statements

• This is a great time of year to create or update your farm financial statements. These include your balance sheet, income statement and cash flow. This webinar will review these statements and provide tips on how to use them to evaluate your farm business

Farm Recordkeeping

• Recordkeeping is a necessary skill for all business owners.  Farm records include everything from financial to production.  This session will provide some ideas on recordkeeping practices as well as organizing records for farm enterprises!

Grant Writing for Agriculture Businesses

• Grants are available for research, expansion of your operation, and training. This session will help identify resources for service providers and farmers looking for funding, review some grant programs targeted at farmers, and explain grant writing dos and don’ts.

Planning for Retirement

• After attending this program you’ll better understand your income and savings needs as you plan for retirement. We’ll also review some saving options and provide some strategies for late savers.

SARE Farmer Grower Grants

• SARE Farmer Grower Grants - The goal of the USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Farmer Grant program is to help farmers explore sustainable and innovative production and marketing practices, often through an experiment, trial, or on-farm demonstration. SARE defines sustainable practices as those that are profitable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to the wider farm community. This unique grant program funds a wide variety of on-farm projects, and has a simple application process geared towards farmers. This webinar will provide insight into this specific grant program including proposal guidelines, how to apply and tips on writing a good proposal.

Understanding Credit and Credit Scores

• Understanding credit is as important as knowing when to plant your crops. Credit defines your trustworthiness in repaying your debt. This webinar will provide an overview of how credit is used in your everyday life. Knowing how to obtain your credit report and correct mistakes are important steps in improving your credit score and reducing the amount of interest you pay on loans.  It is also an important step in protecting you identity. Join us to develop a greater understanding of credit, how it impacts your life, and steps you can take to improve your credit score.

Understanding Your Credit and Credit Scores 2019

• Understanding credit is as important as knowing when to plant your crops. Credit defines your trustworthiness in repaying your debt. This webinar will provide an overview of how credit is used in your everyday life. Knowing how to obtain your credit report and correct mistakes are important steps in improving your credit score and reducing the amount of interest you pay on loans.  It is also an important step in protecting you identity. Join us to develop a greater understanding of credit, how it impacts your life, and steps you can take to improve your credit score.

USDA FSA Farm Loan Programs

• As a farmer, whether you are just starting out or have many years of experience, there are times when you need to borrow money to start, expand, sustain, or make changes to your business. This webinar will explore loan programs sponsored by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

What is Annie's Project

• Annie's Project is a national program that has gained momentum by connecting women in agriculture. The program teaches farm management, provides local resources and encourages networking. It also qualifies for USDA FSA Borrower Training. The webinar will explain the guiding principles of Annie's project, a typical program agenda and more details on Borrower Training.

Communicating on Difficult Topics

• Kay-Megan Washington, Program Administrator for the Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service, will provide you with concrete tips on how to deal talk about uncomfortable subjects with people it can be uncomfortable to talk with. Learn how to clarify what you want, what they want, how to make them feel heard and make sure they hear you, and how to come up with solutions that work for everyone.

Emotional Well-Being: Warning Signs and Resources- 2019

• Farmers experience a wide range of emotional stress that can effect both the individual and their family.  This session will share warning signs and resources available to deal with emotional stress.  Some topics covered include financial stress, substance abuse, depression, and suicide.

Emotional Well-Being: Warning Signs and Resources- 2020 (slides)

• Farmers experience a wide range of emotional stress that can affect both the individual and their family. This session will share warning signs and resources available to deal with emotional stress. Some topics covered include financial stress, substance abuse, depression, and suicide.  

Estate and Transition Planning Success

• Do you have a plan to transition to the farm to the next generation of managers? Does it accomplish all your goals? Are you considering adopting one for the first time? Join this session to look at some real-world examples of how to develop a plan to transition the farm to the next generation successfully and those plans that have failed to handle those stresses.

Family Communication in Farm Succession Planning

• This webinar will focus on the importance of good communications and strategies for success when discussing topics with family related to farm succession and estate planning.

Health Care in Your Senior Years

• Thinking about your health care plans after retirement or worried about how health care costs play into your retirement. Join us to discuss Medicare and other insurance options when you turn 65. Additional information will be shared about estimating health care costs and long term care.

Hiring and Firing Practices

• This webinar will outline how to protect your operation with efficient hiring practices and tools such as background checks, employee handbooks and more. Alternatively, the webinar will also go over the correct course of action when firing an employee and help to ease any issues that may arise during the process.

Hiring Farm Employees - Process and Recommendations

• Employees are an important part of the business but can also be a big challenge. If you currently have employees, or have been considering adding a work force to your organization, this webinar is for you. The session will explore the hiring process and ways to acquire employees that best fit your operation.

Hiring Maryland Farm Interns and Associated Labor Laws

• Hiring Maryland Farm Interns and Associated Labor Laws - Many farms across Maryland use interns or apprentices to lighten the overall farm workload and help young people gain practical farming experience and knowledge. Although interns can be a welcome addition to a farm’s workforce, farmers need to be aware of how to properly compensate interns and the legal consequences of adding them to the payroll. Farmers who hire and/or house interns may need to make changes in order to comply with Federal and State labor laws.

Migrant, Seasonal and H2-A Visa Workers

• When farmers are faced with the need to hand harvest a large amount of crops in a short period of time, migrant, seasonal and H-2A Visa workers can often be the best solution to complete the job quickly and affordably. However, there are specific Federal and State legal duties and responsibilities for farmers who employ these types of workers and substantial criminal and civil penalties for failing to adhere to the law. 

Smart Choice Health Insurance Basics

• Choosing the right health care insurance plan is important and can prevent large unexpected health care expenses. This webinar will increase your understanding of health insurance and provide strategies for selecting a health care plan that will meet your health care needs and your spending plan.

Smart Use Health Insurance - Smart Actions

• Knowing how to use your health insurance will make you a smart health care consumer. Identify smart actions that will help you become a Smart User of health insurance. This session will help you  better understand how to use health insurance, learn how to manage health care expenses and identify tools to solve a problem.

Stress Management on the Farm

• The truth is that farming is hard on both your physical and mental health. Explore a variety of self-care tips to protect your health and sanity as a farmer. Dig into practical and empowering stress-reduction techniques to incorporate into your weekly routine during the busy growing season. 

8 Lifestyle Tips for a Healthy Brain

• Brain health is the ability to remember, learn, concentrate and have a clear, active mind. This presentation provides lifestyle steps to help keep your brain 'young' and maintain good brain function.

Adverse Possession

• The webinar will focus on Adverse Possession, the legal term for squatter's rights in Maryland. This important legal topic and the associated concept of easement by prescription, should be understood by all farmers so that the ownership of your land is not in jeopardy. Does your neighbor drive down your farm lane or consistently use a walking path on your property? If so, they could be forming the basis for claim to use your property now and into the future. 

Agricultural Labor Mistakes to Avoid

• Agricultural employers face a variety of unique legal challenges. Although there are some exemptions for agricultural workers in federal and state labor laws, incorrectly applying those exemptions is, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, a common mistake made by agricultural employers. This webinar will outline the basics of agricultural labor laws and give employers tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Buying and Selling Farmland

• Learn about every aspect of a typical real estate transaction. Understand the roles of the players involved- the real estate agents, the title company and the lawyers. Understand the meaning of the legalese in a typical farmland purchase contract, deed, mortgage and title insurance policy. Don’t go through another settlement signing paperwork you don’t understand! This webinar will make you a smarter buyer and seller of farmland.

Crop Insurance Programs for 2018

• Agriculture is full of risks and there are many options for producers to manage risks in the operation. One tool for producers to consider is purchasing crop insurance to cover certain losses. This webinar will cover the basics of crop insurance and various programs that producers might want to consider.

CSA Operators

• Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a growing business area for many Maryland producers. A CSA can bring in additional income to finance the operation, connect customers with your farm, and bring you a new customer pool, but this relationship depends on a useful contract that works for your business. Ashley Ellixson and Paul Goeringer, both with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative, will walk you through some of the legal issues associated with CSAs, where operators mess up, and highlight new resources to assist CSA operators in developing easy to understand contracts for their operations.

Deciding on a Business Structure

• Business structures can often be one of the simplest tools producers can utilize to limit their business liability. At the same time, they often confuse those considering adopting one as a tool to utilize in their business. This webinar will cover business structures from the simplest (sole proprietorship) to the most complex (corporation and cooperative) to better help producers understand how to utilize them in their operations.

Divorce and Farming

• Given that nearly half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce, farmers need to be prepared to weather the storm and protect their property and assets. Listen to hear about the legal parameters of property ownership and divorce in Maryland and what strategies can be used to keep farms in the family despite divorce.

Energy Leases, Legal Considerations

• Landowners around the Mid-Atlantic have received offers to lease their land for wind, solar or other renewable energy leases. These leases can often be long documents and difficult to understand. Ashley Ellixson and Paul Goeringer will walk you through the legal implications of these leases to better aid you in making a decision.

Estate and Transition Planning Success

• Do you have a plan to transition to the farm to the next generation of managers? Does it accomplish all your goals? Are you considering adopting one for the first time? Join this session to look at some real-world examples of how to develop a plan to transition the farm to the next generation successfully and those plans that have failed to handle those stresses.

Estate Planning

• Do you have an estate plan for your farm or farm business?  During this webinar we will learn the basics steps in setting up an estate plan, and where to look for additional resources.

Farm Bill Update

• The 2014 Farm Bill changes many aspects of US agricultural policy. The new farm bill puts many decisions on producers in order to pick the best risk management tools that work for his/her operation. This webinar will focus provide an overview of the new commodity programs and changes in risk management programs that will benefit women producers.

Farm Bill Update 2019

• Howard Leathers will bring us up to date on the current status of the 2018 farm bill. If a bill is passed by this date, he will review the major provisions.

Farm Lease Agreements

• A large number of farmland is leased in the Delmarva region with much of it being done on a handshake deal. Understanding leasing laws and developing a written lease can work to improve the landlord-tenant relationship and provide record for future parties to understand what was agreed upon. Join Paul Goeringer as he highlights many of the laws and other issues that will go into developing a farmland lease.

Farm Liability Insurance and Farm Business Structures

• Bewildered by the many types of farm insurance? Confused about the difference between a sole proprietorship, an LLC, a corporation, and a cooperative? Join us as we sort through your options. Nicole Cook, Environmental and Agricultural Faculty Legal Specialist from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will explain the basics of insurance and business structures for your farm, and will zoom in on how farm liability insurance and your choice of business structures for your farm can work together to protect you and your farm.

Farm Transition Taxes and Medicaid Estate Recovery

• An overview of the new federal estate tax laws, and other related tax issues. Provide examples of how to determine if your farm estate could trigger federal estate tax limits and state's (Maryland and Delaware) gift, estate, and inheritance taxes. This includes what the cost of paying taxes might be or the cost of any income tax that may be paid if the farm is sold instead, and provide examples of legal tools that could be used to help prevent a high tax burden on farm estate heirs. Then, we will also discuss longterm healthcare and how to avoid the state's recovery for any healthcare assistance.  

Food Safety and Liability

• Learn about the legal claims a litigant can assert in a food borne illness case, defenses that can be asserted to avoid liability and techniques that can be implemented to reduce the cost and exposure to food borne illness liability. Also included will be an overview of the section of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) applicable to fruit and vegetable farmers known as the Produce Rule.

How to Avoid the Probate Process

• Discusses the process of probating a will and some of the negative impacts of probate, and then provides examples of other farm succession/ estate planning legal tools that can help farmers avoid the probate process if that is the best option for their operation. 

How to Build a Professional and Personal Landlord-Tenant Relationship

• Landlords and tenants both benefit from having a great landlord-tenant relationship and it all begins with communication. Learn the many means of communication, resources for contracts, budgets, grain marketing and much more.

Land Titles

• How land is titled can clearly define your property rights in that property. By understanding the different forms property can be titled, then you can understand the implications of each on your business, manage your property, and develop an effective estate plan.

Learning From Other's Mistakes: Estate Planning Mistakes and Solutions

• Many families struggle to start developing an estate plan that works to continue the farm on to the next generation.  Not properly planning can lead to the loss of a family farm and cause conflicts between family members.  This session will discuss the basics in the planning process and provide an overview of tools and how they can work for each family. 

Legal Resources Available in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Managing Legal Risks

• This webinar will focus on how to manage legal risks on your farm. Tools such as utilizing a business organization, liability waivers and purchasing liability insurance will be discussed in detail on how they may protect your farm.

Managing Your Forested Farmland

• This webinar will outline how farmers can best profit from and maintain their forested acres. Learn about the Maryland forestry legal framework and how you can benefit from creating a forest management plan. 

Operating a Women Owned Farm Business

• We will discuss the different types of business organizations and the liability protection and transition planning benefits of each. Also discussed will be women owned businesses including how to have and manage that designation as well as opportunities and resources related to it.

Preparing for the Transition: Farm Transition and Estate Plans

• A farm transition plan is an integral part of your farm business, along with your estate plan. Sadly, many farmers have not sat down and developed either plans. This presentation will help you get started in developing your transition or estate plans to better prepare the next generation to taking over the family farm.

Procrastinator's Farm Bill Update

• Have you waited until the last minute to make your farm bill decisions? This webinar will give a quick overview of the decisions producers must make by Mar. 27, 2015 for the new Farm Bill programs.

Protecting yourself and others on the farm

• Attend this webinar to learn about some easy steps you can take to protect your and your employees' health, and bring your farm into compliance with the Worker Protection Standard. Communicating clearly with everyone on your farm about your pest management practices is extremely important both to prevent accidents and to live up to your legal responsibilities as an employer. Even if you use organic practices, you still have some responsibilities under the Worker Protection Standard. 

The Legal Side of Pesticide Drift

• Attend this webinar to learn about some easy steps you can take to protect your and your employees' health, and bring your farm into compliance with the Worker Protection Standard. Communicating clearly with everyone on your farm about your pest management practices is extremely important both to prevent accidents and to live up to your legal responsibilities as an employer. Even if you use organic practices, you still have some responsibilities under the Worker Protection Standard. 

The Produce Safety Rule of the Food Modernization Act & The Records You Need to Keep

• If you grow produce you need to keep records in order to comply with the Produce Safety Rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). If your operation is not subject to the law you need to keep certain records to prove your exemption. If your operation is subject to the law you need to keep certain records to be in full compliance with the law. Join the webinar to learn which records your operation needs to keep to stay compliant with FSMA.

Understanding Buying and Selling Farmland

• Learn about every aspect of a typical real estate transaction. Understand the roles of the players involved - the real estate agents, the title company and the lawyers. Understand the meaning of the legalese in a typical farmland purchase contract, deed, mortgage and title insurance policy. Don’t go through another settlement signing paperwork you don’t understand! This webinar will make you a smarter buyer and seller of farmland.

Using an LLC to Strengthen Your Farm Operation

• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a popular form of business entity or organization. There are a number of ways an LLC can be used to strengthen a farming operation, including but not limited to, limiting liability, defining family ownership interests and/or transition and succession planning.  This webinar will provide you with examples of the potential pros and cons of utilizing an LLC in your farming operation and give you ideas to discuss with your individual attorney.

Advocating for Agriculture

• Agriculture now more than ever needs advocates! Learn how to get your positive message of agriculture out to your audience, and how to deal with tough questions and comments when they arise.

Agvocacy

• Commercial and for profit agriculture is slammed on social media – organized social activists have a strong voice on social media and they often paint an unflattering (to put it kindly) picture of agriculture. Mid-Atlantic farmers are not immune. We need positive voices to tell our story. Learn how to effectively communicate and “agvocate”in this arena

Analytics

• Digital media is at the front of most marketing and strategic plans for business and organizations. It’s not easy to know how to track the success of your campaigns and your websites which is why keeping up with analytics and trends in optimization is key. 

Basics of Creating and Using Infographics

• There are many ways to create infographics and you don’t need to be a designer with Photoshop. There are also many ways to use this type of graphic to enhance a story or more visually summarize a lengthy report. Break things out by number or by topic. It’s fun to do AND it’s very shareable.

Blogging (So You Want to Start a Blog)

• Have you been thinking about starting a professional or personal blog? During this webinar we will look at the most popular blogging platforms, and explore editorial calendars.   

Boost Your Email Newsletter Open Rates

• While some claim they are “dead,” email marketing still has one of the highest engagement rates and returns on investment of any marketing strategy. The success of your email newsletters is dependent upon their open rates. Learn a few simple strategies to increase your chances of someone opening your e-newsletter instead of clicking the dreaded “delete” button.

Can I Use This Picture? Media Law

• Have you ever found an image on the Internet and used it online, in a presentation, on a blog or website? Was it okay to do that? We'll review the legal use of image copyright and provide sources where you can find free or low cost images. Learn how to protect, contribute or contribute your images. Learn how digital photos can lead to increased SEO.

Creating a Farm Marketing Kit

• A marketing kit is an essential for tool for any business. Learn how to develop a compelling package to attract your target market and leverage your worth. This webinar will cover the elements of a successful marketing kit and includes examples to help you develop an effective brand and complementary materials that reflect your unique voice and style.

Creating Effective Videos Using iMovie via iOS Device

• Learn how to do basic video editing from your iPad or iPhone using iMovie. We will cover how to add a title, edit out unwanted footage and add and edit sound. Although this is geared for iOS devices, the principles are similar to other apps.

Customer Service - Keys to Successful Retention

•  "The customer is always right!" But, what do they want? And how is customer service handled when doing online sales?  How do I keep new customers coming back? Join Ginger Myers, University of Maryland Extension Marketing Specialist, to learn more about how to provide the best customer service experience possible for both your buyer and your staff.

Decision Tools for Selecting Marketing Outlets

• As part of our MAERDAF-supported training series for farmers on increasing success & sales through farmers markets, we're excited to offer a webinar series in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension Women in Agriculture Wednesday Webinars.

Developing a Farm Strategy

• Developing an overall farm strategy is a part of a farm business plan. This strategy includes a number of steps focused on market segments, characteristics of those segments, and forming a plan around the needs of each segment. The purpose of the process is to develop a plan for your business to achieve your personal goals.

Digital Tools

• This webinar will assist you in capitalizing on the digital tools now available through the internet and smartphones. Topics include hardware, digital databases, fingertip marketing and other applications helpful to businesses.

Advanced Digital Tools (Handout)

• Learn how to make digital tools work for you!  This session will build on topics presented in the first Digital Tools session as you in capitalize on the digital tools now available through the internet and smartphones. Topics include hardware, digital databases, fingertip marketing and other applications helpful to businesses.

Editorial Calendars

• There are 365 days in a year but we don’t want to have to work all of them, so having an editorial calendar prepared is important in maintaining content for a 24/7 world while also maintaining our own sanity.

Email Newsletters, Tips and Tools

• Are you overwhelmed by the thought of writing your own e-newsletter? It’s not as difficult as you might think to create an engaging newsletter to wow your readers! In this webinar we will discuss the nuts and bolts of developing a newsletter, criteria for content, frequency of distribution, the best way to grow a newsletter, and how to use it to generate revenue and build relationships. In addition to discussing best practices, we’ll even share a f ew tools to measure your success! 

Essentials of Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools

• The Essentials of Google Analytics & Webmaster Tools - Maintaining and running a presence online means more than keeping up with content. Knowing the analytics of your website is important. If you’re putting time into something it is likely you want to be able to measure the impact of your work. Furthermore, who is linking to you, how are people getting to your website, what content is doing well and what content do people click away from after only 2 seconds? Google has free tools to answer all these questions and more.

Food Marketing Trends

• Consumer food choices are constantly changing. Yet, some components of their choices, such as quality, value, and customer service should never be neglected.  As we head into the summer session, let's look at what food trends have surfaced so far in 2018 and how that affects your product offerings and marketing strategies. Knowing what's "hot" and "what's not" could seriously affect your bottom line.

Helping Customers Find You

• One out of five internet searches is related to location. An accurate internet listing is one of the easiest ways to keep your business visible online. This session will focus on resources and tips to help your customer find you. It will include internet searches, web registries and other online/social marketing outlets.

Infographics - Basics of Creating and Using Infographics

• There are many ways to create infographics and you don’t need to be a designer with Photoshop. There are also many ways to use this type of graphic to enhance a story or more visually summarize a lengthy report. Break things out by number or by topic. It’s fun to do AND it’s very shareable.

Market Research

• Market research is an important part of a marketing and business plan.  This webinar will review  the basics of marketing research, identifying a customer and market research tools

Marketing Campaigns- Start Small to Grow Tall

• How much should you budget for marketing your product or service in your annual planning? Hurried and worried that you don't have time for all that posting, writing, emailing, and going to markets? Prioritize you marketing efforts to be most efficient and effective for where you are in your business's development. You don't have to do every marketing strategy all the time or even some of the time if it's just not something you can get done well. Let's consider the marketing activities that will result in recurring sales and those you can master well.

Meals on Wheels- Food Trucks, Pop-up Markets, Home Delivery

• Consumers are asking for convenience in their meal preparations, healthy foods but short wait times, and meals in a box delivered almost into their kitchen.  How do the new models for marketing to these customers work? What are the advantages and disadvantages to these types of marketing outlets? Are any of these marketing models really profitable? Join us to look at these options, discover possible variations that might work with your marketing, and see examples of each type operating around the country.

Newsletters

• We all get them, but do we read them? Create a compelling newsletter for your organization so that you gain new subscribers, get more readership from those subscribers and learn how to track what is most important to your clients.

Optimizing your Website for Google

• Learn quick tips to optimize your website or blog so that it ranks higher, and therefore more visible in Google searches and other search engines!

Preparing your Marketing Efforts for the Holidays

• Retailers seem to launch into the holiday marketing mode earlier each year, with most starting even before Halloween. We can take a page from their playbook and plan ahead too, particularly our social media marketing plan for the holiday ahead. With the successes of BlackFriday, Cyber Monday, and sites like Amazon Prime Days, shoppers are relying more and more on digital marketing messages and on-line shopping platforms to make their seasonal and holiday purchases. Now is the time to develop a social media marketing plan and benchmark implementation dates to capture the largest portion of market sales possible.

Prezi - The Basics of Presenting Prezi Style

• The world of media is constantly changing and so are the mediums. Prezi is a presentation tool which allows you to customize your presentation in ways that a regular Power Point does not quite allow. The flow is more engaging, every transition can be different, the themes and elements associated range from creative to professional. You can easily add videos, music, photos, and thoughtful interactions. It runs online and you can download it to run on your local machine. Once you go Prezi, you’ll likely not go back.

Risk Management for Food Entrepreneurs

• You've worked long and hard to launch your specialty food business. Folks love the product and you're picking up more sales every month and even have a major retail chain interested in test marking your product in several of their stores.  But you could lose your business, possibly your other tangible assets, and even your good name if you don't cover the five big areas of risks for Food Entrepreneurs. This session will look at what constitutes those risks, how to avoid them, and what actions to take if your business gets caught up in a bad situation.

Selling Your Farm Eggs to Retail Outlets

• There is a strong consumer demand for locally produced foods including a call for more locally produced eggs.  Real profit potential exists for Maryland egg producers to expand their markets in to retail, wholesale and Food Service Facilities in Maryland. However, shell egg sales must meet several requirements for grading, packaging, labeling, invoicing and transportation protocols.  This webinar will detail those requirements as well as provide links to agencies and resource providers concerning shell egg sales to retailers, Wholesalers and food service facilities in Maryland. This information can help egg producers expand their marketing beyond the direct to consumer market channel.

Starting a Specialty Food Business in Maryland

• What’s involved in starting a specialty food business in Maryland? Before you advertise your first product, or apply for a food processing license, you’ll need to determine if you have a marketable product. This webinar examines the “Go, No Go" decision processes for starting a specialty food business in Maryland.

Super Market Vendor

• Myers will teach you the fundamentals of “relationship marketing” where the customer experiences a value-add connection with you as the producer. This webinar walks you through display techniques, signage, communication using social media, and vital customer service techniques that convert farmers market shoppers into your loyal customers who will shop with you with you rain or shine. 

This Just In. Your Ag-Role for Media Requests

• Have you been asked for an interview by a print or broadcast reporter or comment on a local or ag-related issue? How should you prepare? What do you wear? What is the reporter looking for? Embrace this opportunity and control the message and image you provide for your family and farm. We'll go over techniques on how to optimize your role in the interview and stay focused on your message.

Why Value-Added Products Fail

• Value-Added products can increase your enterprise profit picture, but only if it's a marketable product that fits your resources and farm mission. This presentation explores what works and what doesn't when developing and marketing value-added farm products. And, helps you answer the question, 'Just because I can produce a value-added product; should I?'

WordPress Blog - How to Create

• If you can email, you can blog. I am partial to WordPress (I have three personal ones) and helped to create or manage dozens more. This session covers the basics.

Can I Use This Photo? Media Law

• Have you ever found an image on the Internet and used it online, in a presentation, on a blog or website? Was it okay to do that? We'll review the legal use of image copyright and provide sources where you can find free or low cost images. Learn how to protect, contribute or contribute your images. Learn how digital photos can lead to increased SEO.

Creating a Social Media Plan for your Business (Slides)

• Social Media is not a miracle worker. It is just one layer of communication, one tool to let the public know what your business is about. To do it right takes planning. What should you be doing? How to strategize your content, develop a plan, and study who’s doing it right. Designed for existing businesses. Not for personal social media

Facebook Business Page

• Learn the basics of setting up a business page on facebook.  

Facebook Promotions

• Not everyone who likes your Facebook page sees your posts on their newsfeeds. Typically only 3-5% of your page fans see your content. That's right! Facebook changed the algorithms. Now, the only way to assure maximum visibility is to promote your page, post or events. The good news...for very little money, you can really pack a punch. We'll review strategic ways of promoting your content including some free techniques!

Facebook Strategies

• Learn the best strategy for using and optimizing facebook in this webinar.

Figuring Out Facebook Pages

• My goodness! A lot has changed since Facebook first offered free pages for business and organizations. Learn how to optimize and get the most out of your Facebook page.

flickr

• Learn all about the basics of flickr in this introduction webinar

Holy Hashtag

• Holy Hashtag! First "# "was a number sign, then a pound sign, now its a hashtag? Why are #hashtags important and why are they used on some social media platforms and not others? We'll unpack the symbol and have you hashtagging like a pro in hashtag heartbeat!

HootSuite

• What is a Social Media Platform?  How can you manage multiple social media accounts from one account? In this webinar, learn how to use HootSuite, the most popular social media management system.

How to Create Social Media Memes & Other Photo Apps

• An effective social media presence involves using images. Learn how to create memes, which is simply text attractively laid across an image. Learn what photo apps help turn photos into dynamite digital messages that capture attention!

Instagram

• Instagram is a fun mobile photo sharing platform that is also excellent for advocating for agriculture or promoting your business. A short PowerPoint followed by a live demonstration will be part of this webinar.

Keep it Legal!: Legal Considerations for Marketing Your Farm Social Media

• Farmers are being told that they have to get onboard with interactive marketing opportunities such as Facebook, Instagram, websites, blogs, e-mail campaigns, podcasts, and even e-commerce. But there are legal traps for the unwary in cyber land. Learn how to avoid legal landmines by learning the legal parameters concerning postings, dealing with negative feedback, posting pictures, and on-line offerings.

LinkedIn

• The social media platform for professionals. Want to go on social media without the cute cat videos? Present yourself as a serious professional on LinkedIn and develop your personal brand

Live Streaming for Advocating and Direct Marketing (Slides)

• Live streaming video is the hottest technique in social media. Meerkat and Periscope were early favorites, and now Facebook has gotten in on the act with much success. Live streaming is an in-the-moment, authentic way of communicating. Learn what equipment you need and the basic guidelines for sharing your interests, cause or business to a wider audience, perhaps global one!

Personal or Professional Branding on Social Media

• What’s the difference between a personal or professional brand? Do you have or need a personal brand? It can make a difference. 

Social Media Privacy

• When the world of social media is constantly evolving and new networks are appearing by the day we need to keep ourselves updated on how to make sure our clients, as well as ourselves, know what information is public or private.

Thought Leadership and Branding on Social Media

• Success on Social Media is more than selling a product or service. For the agriculture sector, success is measured by engaged conversations, reaching out beyond our comfort zone and cultivating your personal and professional brand into a trusted Thought Leader. There's an abundance of conversations about agriculture on social media and not all of them are positive. Be empowered to enter the conversation and make a difference.

Twitter for Newbies

• We’ll create a new Twitter account and go through the step-by-step process. Some basic techniques will be covered. Entry level.

Twitter Tricks of the Trade

• Learn how to use Twitter to build your business' brand during this webinar.

What Social Media Platform is Right for You?

• The choices can be dizzying and you can’t do them all and do it well. This review will examine the audiences you are trying to reach and will offer suggestions as to which platform works best. Will briefly touch on how to create a needs assessment for your business or organization.

Smart Phone Movies

• Aren’t smart phones amazing! The images and footage from your smart phone are very high quality. But there are a few shortfalls with producing professional quality projects, namely sound. We’ll review of tools and techniques to produce high quality videos from your smart phone.

Snap It, Then App It

• With digital and smart phone photography, everyone can be a photographer! And a good one at that! This webinar will review the leading photography apps available. Learn how to correct mistakes and make an ordinary snapshot a work of art suitable for your family or business. 

Yes, It's Time for Twitter. Really. 

• Of all the social media platforms in use today, this presenter believes Twitter is the most valuable for the agriculture sector. Learn what is new in Twitter and how to grow your influence on the platform and join in conversations which can positively impact how others view agriculture.

An Overview of the Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET) is a new and voluntary service in conservation planning that evaluates an operation’s current conservation and management practices and compares them against science-based stewardship thresholds for five overarching natural resource concerns that evaluate the health of soil, water quality and quantity, air quality and wildlife habitat.

Beef Basics: Things to Consider Before Starting Your Small Herd

• This webinar will address key areas that need to be considered before starting a small beef herd. Emphasis for this talk will be on defining of end-product goals and using those goals to drive animal management decisions. This talk will also discuss some of the challenges and opportunities associated with raising a small herd of beef cattle in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Bugs that Bite

• Mosquito and ticks are major nuisance pests that vector many diseases. Their feeding habits can affect your farm's bottom line by detouring the public from visiting and reducing animal health. They can cost you and your employees’ time and money with doctor visits, and if left untreated many of these vector diseases can lead to long-term chronic health issues and death. Topics covered include: pest biology, common arthropod-borne illnesses, personal prevention, and control methods.

Capture the Flavor - Herbs and Spices

• Learn the health benefits of cooking with herbs and spices, how herbs and spices are processed for safety, best practices for storing them, and how to use these plants to flavor meals like a pro!

Caring for your septic system and water wells

• This webinar will cover the basics of drinking water wells and septic systems. Topics include: a) the important value of your septic system and water well provides you and your home in supplying safe drinking water and sustainable waste treatment; types of systems; and recommended maintenance tips to keep them operating effectively and safely. 

Cover Crop Mixes

• This webinar will discuss how and why to choose species of a cover crop mix and tools for deciding species and seeding rates. Topics discussed will also include how different cover crop species express themselves in a mix, fall vs spring growth, the importance of seeding date, and other management considerations. Practical considerations relevant to the mid-Atlantic region will be discussed.

Cultivating Conversation: Understanding Opportunities to Access Federal Conservation Programs 

• Those new to farming or farmland ownership may not be familiar with federal conservation programs, how best management practices (BMPs) fit into their operation, the process for applying to programs, and program expectations. This webinar will increase knowledge of federal conservation programs, including what types of programs are available, the application process and an explanation of contractual obligations. Participants will learn about how to incorporate best management practices on their farms through voluntary and cost share programs, and will learn how conservation programs can fit into an overall farm plan.

Designing a Successful Pasture and Grazing System

• A well-managed pasture is one of the most cost-effective and high value feeds that can be produced. Not sure where to begin? This webinar will provide an overview of different grazing systems and will discuss essential considerations like layout, fencing, shelter, water, and stocking rates to help you be successful when setting up a pasture system.

Designing Cover Crops to Work for Your Farm

• Cover crops can provide a host of benefits, including controlling weeds, reducing erosion, adding nutrients and soil organic matter to soil, providing habitat for pollinators, alleviating soil compaction, and various other functions. However, not all cover crops are equal. This workshop will provide information about what cover crop species and management techniques are optimal for the various desired functions, and how to utilize cover crops that make sense for your farm.

Does Your Deworming Program Need a Tune-Up? Best Practices for Deworming Cattle

• Management of intestinal parasites is an important component of any livestock operation.  Choosing the right drug, selecting the right animals, and applying dewormer at the most opportune time are critical to maintaining an economical and effective deworming program.  This talk will provide an overview of current recommendations for deworming cattle and details on how to assess the efficacy of the deworming program.

Drones as a Scouting Tool

• While drones are often promoted as tools to manage nutrients or spray for pests, their most immediate use is for scouting crops. The biggest hurdle for most farmers may be which drone to purchase and how to fly. Attend this webinar to learn about drone and camera types, the ease of operation, and when to fly row crops. After this presentation you will be able to make an informed decision on whether drones fit your operation, and the most affordable option to buy.

Drying Food Safely

• Dried foods are tasty, nutritious, lightweight, and easy to prepare and carry. Attend this workshop and learn about the different methods for drying foods safely, what to consider when drying foods, and what foods dry best.

Farm Diversification

• Farm diversification opens opportunity and increases potential profitability!  Adding specialty fruit and vegetable crops to your farm can increase profit margins in several ways. Like diversifying in the stock market, engaging in more than one enterprise and adding value to what you already grow will spread profit risk, not to mention “growing” interest in locally produced foods. This webinar will introduce participants to some new potential specialty crops, discuss new federal regulations to be aware of and regional research that has been done with specialty crops over the past few years.  

Getting the Most Our of Your High Tunnel - Best Management Practices

• High tunnels, also called hoop houses, are temporary structures made of metal poles and flexible plastic. They are used to extend the growing season in early spring and late fall, and to grow some specialty crops that prefer a hot and dry environment. In the past decade, farmers have built many high tunnels, some with support from the USDA-NRCS high tunnel program. But once you have a high tunnel, how do you best manage it to get the most out of your investment? This webinar will provide an introduction to important high tunnel management practices including temperature management, soil health and growing media, irrigation, and pest and disease management.

GMO

• Genetically modified organisms, also known as GMO’s seem to constantly be in the news. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what GMO’s are, what plants and animals have been modified, and how they are created, tested and approve for the market. This session will look at what GMO’s are, which ones are available for the market and answer some of the more common misconceptions about them.

Got Milk? Are Dairy Goats a Good Fit For Your Farm?

• Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of adding dairy breeds to existing goat herds as well as the basics of choosing the right breed and how to milk.

Grain Marketing 101

• An introduction to grain marketing.

Growing Healthy Soil

• This webinar will introduce the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, and how they interact and affect soil quality and health. 

Introduction to Integrated Pest Management

• Integrated pest management (IPM), is a broad-based approach to keeping pests population below economic injury level. This webinar will review basic IPM principles, control tactics, and how to diagnose problems.  

Intro to Organic Production and Certification

• Organic produce has become very popular in the last 10 years. This webinar will introduce you to organic production methods, pricing and marketing organic products, and the organic certification process.

Invasive Insects: Impacts in Agriculture

• Insects can cause serious damage by feeding on crops, and insect species that have been introduced from other countries can often cause the most serious economic damage. This webinar will cover some of the basic biology and ecology of invasive species and explain why they are able to outbreak so severely in new areas. We will also discuss different ways of responding to introductions of new pest species using examples from past introductions as case examples of management methods developed to cope with new pests.

Managing Your Small Flock

• Small flock production on the rise in the United States. It is so important to explore the many aspects to raising a backyard flock before you purchase your first chick. This webinar will teach the essential of housing, feeding, water, zoning, regulations, animal husbandry, biosecurity and much more.

Matching Forage Quality with Small Ruminant Nutrition

• Matching forage growth and quality to different classes of animals and reproductive cycles can be tricky. Learn how to manage your herd and pastures so you can get the most out of them.

Micro Nutrient

• Micro-nutrients like Mn, Zn and Cu can be tricky to manage in cropping systems. By the time symptoms of deficiencies show up it, yields will already be affected. On the other hand, too high on a concentration of some of these metals will cause toxic effects, also reducing yields. Managing soil pH and tissue and soil samples can help alleviate issues with micro-nutrients.

NCBA CLUSA Farmer-to-Farmer: Your Key to International Agriculture

• Join us as we explore NCBA CLUSA’s Farmer-to-Farmer Coffee Systems program in El Salvador, Honduras, and Peru. If you have ever been inspired to volunteer; helping underserved farmers achieve economic empowerment, now is your opportunity. Volunteer assignments will cover a range of topics, from horticulture, coffee, cacao to cooperative development, financial planning, marketing, etc.  Come learn how you can become a lifelong member of the Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteer Community supporting women in underdeveloped regions of the world.

Predator Control for your Small Flock

• One of the chicken lovers worse fears is losing a beloved chicken to a predator. It can happen to the best of us. This webinar will identify patterns of predation and how to keep your small flock safe.

Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket

• This session will cover raising backyard poultry for egg production and sales. Topics covered includes basic nutrition and problems encountered with laying hens. We will also talk about handling eggs and what to do if someone wants to sell them.

Resources for New and Beginning Farmers

• Considerable education and resources have focused on new and beginning farmer programs both Nationally and in Maryland. This session will discuss state and national resources that may interest beginning farmers including educational programs, on farm trainees and funding.

Season Extension

• This webinar will cover season extension techniques and how they can be used to reduce the risk of climate variability and expand market access by expanding the growing season and enabling specialty crop production.

Soils and Salts: From Fertilizer to Tidewater

• Salts are a natural component of soils. In fact most nutrients and fertilizers exist in salt forms such as potassium chloride (KCl). Salts can have a negative effect on plant growth, reducing their ability to pull water from the soil. Although the East usually has enough rainfall to keep salt levels low, fertilizer placement, irrigation water, and flooding in the low lying areas of the Mid-Atlantic can all have detrimental effects. We will discuss how to read salt sources, understand fertilizer placement, and implement remediation for gardens and row crops.

Soil Maps for Production Agriculture

• The US started mapping soils as a resource over 100 years ago. These maps have data for everything for production agriculture to engineering principles. Learn how to search for your soil types and what they may indicate for crop production without needing an advanced degree.

Soil pH, Liming Rates and Fertility

• Soil pH is only one number on a soil test report, but can control a lot of your production potential. To maximize your returns from the soil, understanding where soil acidity comes from and how we determine lime rates is essential.

Thoughts on Animal Welfare

• Animal welfare is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, different stakeholders have different perspectives and definitions of animal welfare. In the United States, the consumer is the primary stakeholder driving the dynamics of change in how livestock and poultry are raised. This webinar will cover three topic areas around farm animal welfare. First, we will revisit the influential factors involved in the transformation of animal agriculture and animal welfare assurance. Next, we will cover the fundamentals of animal welfare science and the role of animal welfare science in animal welfare assessments and audits. We will finish up the webinar with a discussion on current regional, national, and international animal welfare assurance programs currently and how they may change in the future.

Urban Soil Quality

• What are the contamination risks to be aware of when growing in urban soil? How should you test for soil contaminants? How do you interpret the test results? What treatment and management options exist? Which of those are practical? If you're interested in the answers to any of these questions, tune in to this webinar.

Water and Water Reuse in Agriculture

• Water is so important on the farm – but not all water sources are the same. This webinar will go over recent research on water quality differences between river, pond, and recycled water as well as explaining how recycled water could be a reliable alternative for irrigation water. We will also provide information on new publications and multimedia materials related to recycled water in agriculture.

Water Testing Basics and Understanding Water Test Results

• Water tests can help homeowners and farmers better understand how safe their water sources are for different uses. Tune into this webinar to learn how water samples are collected, tested, and how to interpret water test results.

What is Urban Agriculture

• Interest is high in urban agriculture, with many entrepreneurs, municipalities, non-profits, and businesses launching urban agriculture ventures. By participating in this webinar you will learn about different definitions of urban agriculture, see examples of commercial urban farming ventures, and get an overview of the variety of cropping systems, value-added products, and business models being tried by urban farmers.

What Specialty Crop Enterprise is Right for you?

• Growing specialty crops can provide a great niche for farms providing an opportunity to diversify and profit.The USDA defines specialty crops as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” By participating in this webinar you will learn how to use two business planning tools (SWOT and enterprise budget) to analyze the feasibility of the enterprise in which you are interested. Be sure to tune in to part two of this webinar later in 2018 to learn more about how to develop a specialty crop enterprise.

What to grow in an urban market garden

• Growing for market in a small urban garden or farm offers both challenges and opportunities. This webinar will talk about the kinds of specialty crops that are particularly suited to growing in an urban market garden for direct marketing to local customers. 

What you need to know about the Food Safety Modernization Act

• Since the roll out of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), there has been a lot of confusion about what growers need to do. In this webinar, Justine Beaulieu, a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Educator at the University of Maryland, will be giving a presentation that will clear some of this up. This webinar will help inform growers about whether or not they need to comply and by when. It will also provide growers with information about training locations and dates, along with other useful resources.