Publications

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).

Authors: Serena Taylor Newton

This publication provides step-by-step instructions for Adopt-A-Lot participants, property owners, and renters on how to access municipal water in Baltimore City, Maryland. Author: Serena Newton; Title: Municipal Water Access for Adopt-A-Lot Program Participants & Establishing an Irrigation Account for Property Owners & Renters (EB-2024-0722).

Authors: Serena Taylor Newton - Paul Goeringer

General liability insurance helps farmers manage legal risk by covering accidents, negligence claims, and defense costs, while noting key exclusions. Authors: Serena Newton and Paul Goeringer; Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: General Liability Insurance (FS-2025-0764).

Authors: Hayden Schug - Dr. Galen P. Dively II

A practical identification and management guide for common soybean pests in Maryland. Including pest biology, seasonal scouting guidance, and current IPM recommendations to help reduce yield loss. Authors: Hayden Schug and Dr. Galen Dively; Title: Common Soybean Pests in Maryland" (FS-2025-0759).

Authors: Qianwen Lu - Neith Little - Kayla Griffith - Maxine Da-Som Yoon - Xuan Wei

Learn how to stay compliant with Maryland’s Nutrient Management Plan requirements by understanding recordkeeping rules, key deadlines, practical suggestions, and best practices to protect soil, crops, and Chesapeake Bay water quality. Authors: Qianwen Lu, UME Urban Ag Production Specialist, Neith Little, UME Urban Ag Educator, Kayla Griffith, UME Nutrient Management Faculty Specialist, Maxine Da-Som Yoon, Home Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator, and Xuan Wei, UME Urban Agribusiness Specialist; Title: Keep up with Nutrient Management Plan Requirements in Maryland (FS-2024-0739).

Authors: Sarah Hirsh

Soil health is the status of soil in terms of its ability to function and sustain life. It involves physical, chemical, and biological factors that are all interrelated. Soil organisms are critical for building good soil structure, ensuring air and water movements through the soil, decomposing organic materials, and cycling nutrients. A soil with good physical structure and with sufficient nutrient cycling will encourage increased numbers and diversity of soil organisms. When we manage soil with practices that minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, maximize biodiversity, and maximize the presence of living roots, we can increase soil health, increasing the sustainability and profitability of agriculture. Author: Sarah Hirsh; Title: Soil Health (FS-2025-0754).

Authors: Patricia Steinhilber - Joshua M. McGrath

This publication provides crucial insights into assessing your corn crop's nitrogen levels at the end of the season. Learn how to identify excess nitrogen and optimize your fertilizer strategies for maximum yield and profitability. The publication offers detailed instructions for sampling and interpretation, helping producers make informed decisions about their nitrogen use. Whether you're managing a grain or silage crop, the CSNT can enhance your nutrient management plan. Authors: Dr. Patricia Steinhilber, Dr. Joshua McGrath; Title: Corn Stalk Nitrate Test (NM-8)