Publications

As Extension educators, it is important that we value volunteers and provide venues for them to offer their feedback and assessments of the programs. This publication describes how to conduct an effective AI session to provide volunteers with a forum for sharing feedback and ideas for improving Extension programs such as 4-H.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a growing business model for farms in Maryland and nationally. In a typical CSA, members pledge to help cover the anticipated costs of the farm’s production for part of or the entire season. And in return the members receive a portion of the farm’s crops over the designated time period of the CSA contract. The CSA model allows farmers to get needed upfront capital at the start of the growing season. At the same time, the model allows members access to fresh locally produced fruits, herbs, meats, or vegetables. At the same time, many growers do not understand how to develop an agreement that works for the business and conveys the risks to the members of the CSA. This publication provides an overview of the model CSA agreement developed by UMD. Authors: Paul Goeringer, Ashley Newhall, Sarah Everhart, and Wele Elangwe. Title: Understanding a Community Supported Agriculture Agreement: What Should Be Included in a Good CSA Membership Agreement? (EB-424)

Horses are expensive to care for, and the costs can quickly become burdensome unless they are managed carefully. It is possible, however, to reduce horse care costs while providing a high standard of care. Before you can cut expenses, you must have a good understanding of your horse-related expenses. Once you have a thorough understanding of your expenses, you can begin to consider ideas for reducing them using the tips on feeding, boarding, farrier and veterinary care and supplies detailed in this publication.

Have you ever lost a horse or made the difficult decision to euthanize a horse? Then what do you do? Properly handling a large animal after it has passed away can be difficult. Publication EB-421 from the University of MD Extension helps guide horse owners in each MD county in the disposal options available.

A new publication (EB-420) is available from University of Maryland Extension. Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities is written as an overview of some existing technologies. Many new ideas are proposed for the region, and understanding the science behind them is imperative to deciding which option you may want to follow. Manure, as a source of organic matter and plant nutrients, is an excellent conditioner for soils. It is a component of agronomic production, cycling nutrients between soils, plants and livestock. However, in areas where limited land is available for application, excess soil nutrients can lead to water quality issues. Local restrictions on manure application necessitate finding alternative uses. The simplest method is to transport manure to nutrient-deficient land. Manure can be composted into a higher-quality fertilizer or have the nutrients extracted and sold separately. Manure also has an energy value, and where feasible, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, or gasification could be options.

This publication discusses potential liability for livestock and other animals you may have on the farm.  Typical theories for liability would include strict liability and negligence.  This publication walks you through previous Maryland court cases involving livestock and when each form of liability was found.  Finally, the publication offers suggestions on how to handle potential legal risks from livestock, for example utilizing liability waivers, purchasing the right level of general liability insurance, etc. Author: Paul Goeringer; Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Livestock and Other Farm Animals Livestock (FS-990)

Hybrid poplar trees 2-6 years old were grown on a gravel mine spoil in southern Maryland that had biosolids applied using deer row application. The trees were harvested and processed to determine their biomass on a dry weight basis. The data was analyzed and regression analysis was used to create equations that could predict biomass from tree diameter at breast height. The equations developed would allow less intensive data collection and growth assessment of other stands of poplars.

Anaerobic digestion is a process in which anaerobic bacteria break down or "digest" organic material in the absence of oxygen to produce "biogas" as a byproduct of their metabolism. The process occurs naturally in water-logged soils, deep water bodies, and in the digestive systems of termites and large animals (that includes you). In anaerobic digesters, naturally-occurring biological processes are exploited in an engineered system to treat and dispose of waste materials, stabilize end products, destroy pathogens, and generate biogas, a valuable product. Biogas produced in anaerobic digesters consists of methane (50%– 80%), carbon dioxide (20%–50%), and trace levels of other gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, water vapor, and hydrogen sulfide.

The publication provides a general overview of previous court decisions related to fencing in agriculture and examples of county ordinances that impact fencing duties.  For example, counties potentially have ordinances that impact the maintenance and construction of fences, specify how costs should be split between neighboring landowners, and liens to force non-paying landowners to pay their share of the costs. Author: Paul Goeringer, Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Maryland Fencing Law (EB-419)

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an exotic pest native to Asia. Experts believe it arrived in the United States in solid wood packaging materials. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first identified in Michigan in 2002 and was found the same year in nursery stock in Charles County, Maryland. Despite implementation of eradication programs around the source nursery and quarantines on the movement of timber and firewood, EAB has spread to nearly all counties west of the Chesapeake Bay.