Publications

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: 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)

Authors: Neith Little - Sarah Everhart

Farmers who use pesticide products must use the product in accordance with the label and are responsible for taking certain steps to prevent pesticide exposure and mitigate any pesticide related health consequences for themselves and their employees, co-owners, and family members working on the farm. The Worker Protection Standard requires that when farmers use a pesticide with a WPS-label, they take certain protective measures to reduce the risk of illness or injury associated with exposure to pesticides. Not only is complying with the WPS a legal requirement for farmers who use a WPS-labeled pesticide, but research has shown that the practices required by the WPS benefit the health of farmers, farmworkers, and their families. Organic farmers may not realize that they are subject to the WPS. To comply with federal law and reduce pesticide related risks, all farmers should follow pesticide label instructions and implement the recommended practices. The WPS responsibilities can be broken down into three categories: inform, protect, and mitigate. This factsheet includes a summary of the main WPS provisions.

Authors: Benjamin Beale - Matthew Morris

Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a native summer annual weed of many cropping systems in the mid-Atlantic. It is often encountered as weed in agronomic crops as well as vegetable, orchards, roadsides, and abandoned fields. Common ragweed can thrive in lower fertility soils and is often more severe in reduced or no-tillage situations. In Maryland, populations of glyphosate resistant common ragweed were first confirmed in 2014. Resistance to ALS herbicides was also confirmed the same year. In most areas of Maryland, common ragweed has two-way resistance to both glyphosate and ALS chemistry. In 2017, pockets of three way resistant common ragweed plants were confirmed in parts of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland to PPO, ALS and glyphosate. Herbicide resistant common ragweed can be very difficult to control in agronomic crops, particularly soybeans. Authors: Benjamin Beale, and Matthew Morris; Title: Managing Herbicide Resistant Common Ragweed (FS-474)

Authors: Doris Behnke - Nevin Dawson - Shannon Dill - Jessica Flores - Jim Lewis - Teresa McCoy - Jarrod Miller - Jon Moyle - Andrew Ristvey - Jennifer Rhodes - Virginia Rosenkranz

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) conducted an agricultural needs assessment for the nine counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2015. This survey will help UME understand issues concerning Eastern Shore agriculture, identify agricultural and educational needs and focus UME agricultural training and resources. The survey was conducted in 2015 and included four sections: 1) industry priorities, concerns and viability; 2) research and education needs; 3) education and training preferences; and 4) demographic and farm information. Results were received from 295 farmers through paper or online surveys.

Authors: Matt Morris - Ben Beale

Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri, is a new invasive weed in the pigweed family that has become a major challenge for farmers across the U.S. for much of the last decade. Native to the Sonora Desert of Arizona and Northern Mexico, Palmer amaranth is well adapted to the hot Maryland summers. It was first discovered in Maryland during the mid-twentieth century, but the presence of herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth was not confirmed until 2014. Since then it has spread to most regions of the state including Eastern, Southern, and Western Maryland. The spread of Palmer amaranth has been hastened by the movement of contaminated equipment, feed, and seed from infested areas.

Authors: Bryan Butler - Shannon Dill - Sherry Frick - Andrew Kness - Willie Lantz - Teresa McCoy - Matthew Morris - Jeff Semler

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) conducted an agricultural needs assessment for the seven counties in northern and western Maryland in 2017. This survey will help UME faculty and administration understand issues concerning regional agriculture, identify agricultural and educational needs and focus UME agricultural training and resources.

Authors: Ben Beale - Shannon Dill - Dale Johnson - Ginger S. Myers

Planning is essential to any business, no matter how large or small your inventory, payroll and bank account. To be sustainable and profitable a farm operation must have a clear understanding of production, marketing, finances and labor. Having these plans mentally is not enough! Taking time to formulate thoughts, evaluate your business, devise a strategy, and anticipate possible problems will help your business be successful. The Farm Business Planning tools on this page will help put you on the right track.