Publications

Authors: Drew Schiavone

In this report, we explore the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. Author, Drew Schiavone. Title: Solar Panels are an Increasingly Common Sight on Urban and Rural Properties Across Maryland (EB-455)

Authors: Macarena Farcuh - Cameron McPherson

Attaining the optimal fruit texture is a challenge all growers must face in order to maximize consumer acceptability. Fruit texture, and particularly flesh firmness, is an important maturity index, in combination with other quality parameters. Learning how to measure fruit texture and what factors that affect it is an integral part of orchard management. Authors: Macarena Farcuh, Cameron McPherson. Title: Fruit Texture and the Science Behind It (FS-1189)

Authors: Macarena Farcuh - Yixin Cai

Harvesting peaches at the right maturity stage is crucial to improving fresh market quality and potentially increasing marketability. Peach maturity indices based on target markets can help growers identify the right conditions for optimum fruit quality harvest. Macarena Farcuh and Yixin Cai, authors. "Are Your Peaches Ready to Harvest"

Authors: Neith Little

This factsheet will explore the definition of urban agriculture and urban farming, with a focus on the state of Maryland. We will introduce readers to the wide variety of production practices and business models that urban growers use, with photographs and examples. Neith Little, author. "What is Urban Agriculture? (FS-1169)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

This report explores the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. The report also addresses the deployment capacity and market potential for residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors within Maryland. Various solar initiatives, legislation, and other enabling policies currently impacting the solar market are also discussed. Author: Drew Schiavone; Title: Maryland’s Energy Market: The State Consumes More Energy than it Produces (FS-1188)

Authors: Anna Magnaterra - Dr. Shawna Weimer

In this fact sheet and in the associated series of infographics, we will examine a variety of illnesses which impact the leg health of poultry, including: Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO), Bumblefoot Osteoporosis, Tibial Dyschondroplasia (TD), and Twisted Legs. Authors: Anna Magnaterra and Dr. Shawna Weimer. Title: Leg Health in Chickens (FS-1179).

Authors: Taryn Devereux

This Fact Sheet highlights how Cooperative Extension at U.S. Land Grant Institutions benefits from and contributes to efforts toward global food security through knowledge and technology transfer, innovative leadership, cultural exchange, and institutional capacity building. Author: Taryn Devereux; Title: Why Extension Abroad Matters at Home- A Fact Sheet for Extension Specialists and Leaders (EBR-61)

Authors: Macarena Farcuh

Independent of the target market of your apples, estimating optimum harvest dates is critical not only for scheduling labor, but also to ensure a high-quality product. Author: Macarena Farcuh; Title: How Can Growers Determine Apple Fruit Maturity and Optimal Harvest Dates? (FS-1180)

Authors: Ashlyn Snyder - Jon Moyle - Dr. Shawna Weimer

As a prey species, chickens are stoic and typically suppress signs of weakness, including when they are sick. It is difficult to detect sick chickens because they rarely show signs of illness before it becomes severe. Chickens also instinctually hide sickness behavior in the presence of a perceived threat, such as humans, because such behavior tells predators that the ill chicken may be an easy meal (Figure 1; Tizard, 2008). While sickness is mainly associated with pathogenic disease, sickness behavior can also result from injury, nutrient deficiency, and environmental stressors, such as thermal stress. Authors: Ashlyn Snyder, Dr. Jon Moyle, and Dr. Shawna Weimer; Title: Sickness Behavior in Chickens (FS-1178)

Authors: Zoie McMillian - Dr. Shawna Weimer

Chickens of all types use vocalizations to communicate with each other and express their needs. We can gain insight into chicken health, behavior, and overall welfare by understanding how and why chickens vocalize. Authors: Zoie McMillian and Shawna Weimer; Title: Relationships Between Chicken Vocalizations and Health, Behavior, and Welfare (FS-1177)