Publications

Authors: Sarah Hirsh - Shannon Dill - Caroline Kuchta - Neith Little - Kelly Nichols - Margaret Todd

This guidebook aims to increase knowledge of conservation practices and resources available to help farmers and land managers plan for and incorporate conservation onto their land. The guidebook discusses how conservation can fit into whole farm planning, conservation plans, the Web Soil Survey resource, an overview of agencies and conservation programs, and Natural Resource Conservation Service program eligibility and contract requirements. Authors: Sarah Hirsh, Shannon Dill, Caroline Kuchta, Neith Little, Kelly Nichols, and Margaret Todd; Title: Cultivating Conservation for Maryland and Delaware’s Historically Underserved Farmers (EM-2025-0752).

Authors: Haley Sater - Bryan Butler

Learn how to successfully grow blueberries in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic. This guide covers site selection, soil preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, weed and pest management, and harvest practices for productive blueberry plantings. Authors: Haley Sater and Bryan Butler; Title: Growing Blueberries in the Mid-Atlantic (FS-2025-0766).

Authors: Haley Sater - Bryan Butler

Learn how to select blueberry cultivars adapted to Maryland and the greater Mid-Atlantic. This guide compares ripening season, chilling requirements, fruit quality, yield potential, and recommended uses for more than 50 cultivars. Authors: Haley Sater and Bryan Butler; Title: Blueberry Cultivars for Maryland and the Greater Mid-Atlantic Region (FS-2025-0777).

Authors: Kelly Nichols

Chelated iron is one of a limited number of active ingredients allowed for use in weed control in lawns in Montgomery County. Research trials were conducted from 2023 to 2025 near College Park, Maryland, to determine the efficacy of chelated iron (Fiesta®) on summer weeds. Various rates and application timings of the liquid and granular formulations were used. Higher rates and applications closer together (less than four weeks apart) are more effective for weeds such as white clover, large crabgrass, and dandelion. More than two applications throughout the year, including in late summer, may be needed to control dandelion and plantain, perennial weeds with more carbohydrate storage in their taproots. While chelated iron shows some efficacy and can have a place in a turf weed control program, cost and labor requirements should be weighed (e.g., spot spraying instead of broadcast applications), and cultural control practices should be continued. Author: Kelly Nichols; Title: Efficacy of Chelated Iron in Turf Weed Control (FS-2026-0806).

Authors: Rashmi Sahu - Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D. - Andrew Ristvey - Luke Macaulay - Stanton Gill

This guide provides an overview of the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107 and registering drones for legal operation in the United States. It explains eligibility criteria, knowledge test requirements, and the certification process for commercial small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operators. In addition, it summarizes key operational rules under Part 107, such as visual line-of-sight, altitude limitations, airspace authorization, and safety responsibilities. Designed for students, researchers, agricultural professionals, and new drone operators, this resource serves as a practical reference for understanding FAA compliance and promoting safe, responsible, and lawful drone operations. The guide supports the growing use of drones in applications such as precision agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, and aerial data collection. Authors: Rashmi Sahu, Dr. Hemendra Kumar, Dr. Andrew Ristvey, Dr. Luke Macaulay, and Stanton Gill; Title: Guide for FAA Part 107 Certification and Drone Registration (FS-2026-0803.

Authors: Veronica (Johnson) Yurchak

This guide equips high tunnel growers to manage thrips and mites using biological control. Learn to select effective natural enemies, optimize environmental conditions, and successfully integrate these tactics with your existing pest management plan. Author: Veronica Yurchak; Title: Using Augmentative Biological Control for Managing Thrips and Mites in Maryland High Tunnels (FS-2025-0749).

Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner - Neith Little - Donald Murphy - Richard Francis - Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein

Interested in harvesting rainwater on your urban farm? Harvesting rainwater could provide a supplemental source of irrigation water. Learn about collecting rainwater on urban farms by adding gutters to high tunnels. Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner, Neith Little, Donald Murphy, Richard Francis & Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein; Title: Rainwater Harvesting on Urban Farms: Adding Gutters to Collect Rainwater from a High Tunnel (FS-2025-0765).

Authors: Luke Macaulay

Discover the four pillars for managing deer damage to crops, forests, and gardens: hunting for population control, habitat management to divert deer, repellents/deterrents/predators, and fencing. Practical strategies from UMD Extension Wildlife Specialist Luke Macaulay, Ph.D. for Maryland landowners. Author: Luke Macaulay, Ph.D.; Title: The 4 Pillars of Managing Deer Damage (EB-2024-0740).

Authors: Shannon Dill - Sarah Hirsh - Kurt Vollmer - Dr. Nicole Fiorellino - Andrew Kness - Macy Cook

This publication highlights the impact of the 2024-2025 UMD Extension (UME) Winter Agriculture Production Meetings, focusing on participant engagement, UME program delivery, and nutrient management. Results demonstrate the continued importance of UME winter programming in supporting informed decision-making, regulatory compliance, and farm profitability across Maryland’s agricultural sector. Authors: Shannon Dill, Sarah Hirsh, Kurt Vollmer, Nicole Fiorellino, Andrew Kness, and Macy Cook; Title: University of Maryland Extension Winter Meeting Data 2025 (FS-2025-0780).

Authors: Kaustubh Shah - Cara Peterson - Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D.

This publication explains evapotranspiration (ET) concepts and estimation methods, crop coefficients for major crops, and step-by-step irrigation depth calculations, showing how ET-based scheduling improves precision irrigation, crop water demands, and avoids excess water application. Authors: Kaustubh Shah, Cara Peterson, Ph.D., and Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D.; Title: Evapotranspiration and Its Importance in Precision Irrigation Water Management (FS-2025-0792).