Publications

Authors: Eric Buehl - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

Trees provide life-giving oxygen and food, regulate temperatures, sequester carbon, and yield raw materials for building. Trees also are a source of simple beauty and they utilize nutrients as they grow. If you look at the cost of buying and maintaining trees, they are a pretty good bargain when it comes to improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. When selecting trees for their property, a homeowner should consider intended function (privacy screening, shade, etc.), budget, size and the quantity of trees needed. This report also provides important information about how to plant, water, fertilize and mulch trees to ensure that they continue to thrive and contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Authors: Erick Buehl, Jennifer Dindinger, Amanda Rockler, Jacqueline Takas, and Krisztian Varsa; Title: The Right Tree for Your Lawn-Planting Trees to Help Improve Chesapeake Bay Water Quality (FS-1029).

Authors: Margaret Todd

Solar arrays are becoming an increasingly familiar sight all over Maryland. In 2017, for the first time, solar power in Maryland exceeded the combined electricity generation from both biomass and wind power. Agricultural landowners often decide to install solar panels to off-set their personal and business electricity usage. Solar developers also approach agricultural landowners about leasing farmland to install utility-scale solar energy generating stations (SEGS).

Authors: Paula Shrewsbury - Nancy Harding - Marie Rojas - Stanton Gill

Japanese maple scale (JMS), (Lopholeucaspis japonica Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a prolific pest of major concern to nursery crop producers and landscape managers in MD and the eastern United States. JMS is difficult to monitor and manage due to its small size, extended crawler emergence periods, and wide host plant range. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide practitioners with host plant information that will help to improve and focus their monitoring efforts. All plants listed in this fact sheet are verified as hosts of Japanese maple scale from published literature or direct observations by the authors. This list should not be considered all inclusive. Due to the generalist feeding habits of JMS there are likely more hosts we have yet to identify including additional cultivars/hybrids. Authors: Paula M. Shrewsbury, Nancy M. Harding, Marie S. Rojas, and Stanton Gill; Title: Japanese Maple Scale Woody Ornamental Host Plants (EB-1)

Authors: Mayhah Suri - Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein

Farmers need water to grow their crops. But what happens when the freshwater sources farmers rely on become stressed or unavailable? Learn about an innovative partnership between a farmer and a nearby wastewater treatment plant that uses water reuse to safely and efficiently grow crops on one Maryland farm.

Authors: Mayhah Suri - Samantha Ammons - Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein

Due to increasing stress on existing water resources, many farmers are considering alternative water sources to maintain the long-term sustainability of production. One option is recycled water, highly treated municipal wastewater that is then used for agricultural and other beneficial purposes. Farmers have expressed interest in recycled water but want to know if consumers would buy products made with it. This document is a summary of results from economics experiments on consumer willingness to pay for agricultural products made with recycled water, including how different types of information affect consumer willingness to pay for these products.

Authors: Jamie Morris - Neith Little - Alexander Chan - Andrew Kness - Jesse Ketterman

A recent innovation in faculty retention has been to encourage tenure-track faculty who will be going up for tenure together to form a cohort that will work together throughout the tenure process. This cohort serves as a support network and a professional community of practice. The 2021 Cohort of University of Maryland Extension and authors of this brief found that the initiation of the cohort and the dedication and commitment of the cohort members are both necessary to make the cohort model a success. This fact sheet documents the group's plan of action through year 1, provides lessons learned and helpful hints and a highlight for year 2. It is intended to help future tenure track cohorts navigate a similar path and perhaps lessen the stress along the way. Authors: Jamie Morris, Neith Little, Alexander Chan, Andrew Kness, and Jesse Ketterman. Title: A Tenure Track Cohort Case Study (FS-1103)

Authors: Margaret Hartman

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage crop for dairy and beef cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, and horses. In Maryland, alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), occasionally cause significant damage on susceptible cultivars. Author: Margaret Hartman; Title: Alfalfa Weevil-A Pest of Early Season Alfalfa (FS-1096) Alfalfa weevil was first detected in Utah in 1904, and has since spread throughout the contiguous United States. It was first detected in Maryland in 1951. Efforts to suppress alfalfa weevil populations in Maryland have been largely successful because of biological control, but continued monitoring and management programs are vital to avoid localized pest outbreaks. Author: Margaret Hartman; Title: Alfalfa Weevil-A Pest of Early Season Alfalfa

Authors: Don Webster - Don Meritt - Shannon Hood

Oyster aquaculture in Maryland is carried out using both traditional bottom leases as well as newer water column leases that utilize containment gear to produce single oysters. This manual describes the different types of production methods that can be used to build an aquaculture business and is designed to help prospective growers choose a method as well as equipment that will result in the production of high quality shellfish.

Authors: Andrew Kness - Bryan Butler - Peter Coffey

This publication details what we have learned from the University of Maryland hops project and includes current production recommendations for growing hops in Maryland. This is a multi-year study and partnership with Flying Dog Brewery that started in 2016.

Authors: Ben Beale - Greg Bowen - Paul Goeringer - Margaret Todd

A successful farm operation requires thoughtful property selection, whether you are leasing or purchasing land. When looking at properties, you need to consider how the property will support the goals in your business plan. Will the farm be productive? Will the location and regulatory environment fit into your marketing strategies, or can you adjust your strategies to suit your income needs? Is the price of the farm reasonable and realistic given your financial goals? Are there any zoning, covenant, easement, or plat restrictions that might prevent you from producing or selling what you want, where you want? Authors: Ben Beale, Greg Bowen, Paul Goeringer, and Margaret Todd; Title: Considerations for Acquiring a Farm: Selecting the Best Farm Property (FS-1094)