Aquaculture | Horses | Poultry | Forage | Ag Law |
Livestock
Mid-Atlantic Meat Summit
Dates: January 14-15, 2027 | Thursday & Friday
Time: TBD | Cost: TBD
Location: The Maritime Conference Center, 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights, Md.
Description: The Mid-Atlantic Meat Summit is a regional conference designed to strengthen local and regional meat value chains by bringing together everyone involved in producing, processing, marketing, and serving locally raised meat. Whether you raise livestock, operate a processing facility, own a meat market, purchase local meat for your restaurant, provide technical assistance, or support the industry through research or policy, the Summit offers opportunities to learn, network, and build partnerships that strengthen our regional meat system. The event will feature educational sessions, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and industry exhibits led by experts and professionals from across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Planning is underway, and more details will be available soon. Join our email list to receive updates on registration, speakers, educational sessions, hotel accommodations, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, the event schedule, and other conference news.
Sign up for updates: https://mailchi.mp/umd/mid-atlantic-meat-summit-email-list-signup
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Meat Processing In-Depth Training Sponsorship Program
The Meat Processing In-Depth Training Sponsorship Program is a competitive opportunity designed to support individuals currently working in the meat processing industry who are seeking to advance their technical skills and industry knowledge.
Selected participants will be sponsored to complete the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) portion of the Penn State Butcher Apprenticeship Program. This training provides intensive, hands-on education in meat cutting, butchery techniques, product fabrication, food safety, and related technical competencies essential to the meat processing workforce.
This sponsorship is part of a broader regional effort led by University of Maryland Extension.
Learn more and apply for the Meat Processing In-Depth Training Sponsorship Program
Horses
Equine educational programs are offered throughout the year. They are primarily focused on pasture management and equine nutrition.
Forage
Event: Pasture Walk at Willowdale Farm/Farmacy Brewing
Date: October 22, 2026 | Thursday
Time: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Farmacy Brewing, 3100 Black Rock Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Horse Outreach Work group for an educational pasture walk and social hour at Willowdale Farm and Farmacy Brewing in Reisterstown, MD (Baltimore county). Nestled in the rolling hills of Baltimore County's horse country, Willowdale Farm is a diversified operation raising horses and cattle and growing a wide range of crops including hay, row crops, fruits, and vegetables. Willowdale Farm has been run by the Harrison family since 1961 and one of the farm's primary focuses has always been breeding and raising thoroughbred horses using sustainable farm management practices. Situated within this working farm is Farmacy Brewing, a local brewery that incorporates seasonal farm products to create unique beers from a wide range of different ingredients. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including grazing management practices for cattle and horses, pasture maintenance and overseeding, soil fertility, and incorporation of annual forages for additional grazing. Following the pasture walk, participants are welcome to stay for a social hour at Farmacy Brewing (drinks will be available for purchase for those who are 21+).
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwOctober
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Maryland Grazing School (2026)
Dates: October 29-30, 2026 | Thursday & Friday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Cost: Early Bird - $125 (register before Oct. 15), and Regular Registration- $150
Location: Wye Angus Farm, 2016 Carmichael Road, Queenstown, MD 21658
Description: Maryland Grazing School is a two-day, hands-on program designed to help livestock producers improve pasture and grazing management. Participants will learn about pasture health, forage selection, fencing and watering systems, rotational grazing, soil fertility, and grazing strategies while gaining practical experience with grazing tools and developing a customized grazing plan for their farm. Enrollment is limited to encourage interaction and individualized instruction. Lunch is provided both days, with dinner included on the first evening. For more information and registration, visit the Maryland Grazing School registration page (Eventbrite).
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Equine Conservation Summit
Date: November 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Cost: $50
Location: University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, 44219 Airport Rd, Building 3, California, MD 20619
Description: Join the Horse Outreach Workgroup for the inaugural Equine Conservation Summit!
Grow your knowledge on how to better manage your horse farm through sessions on pasture and
nutrient management, equine nutrition, and technical and financial assistance.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/equinesummit
Ag Law
2026 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 am. to 3:30 pm | Cost: General Early Bird (on or before Sept. 30) $100, General: $200; Student*: $25 *Valid Student ID will need to be shown on the day of the event
Location: Crowne Plaza Annapolis by IHG, 173 Jennifer Road Annapolis, MD 21401
Description: This event attracts agricultural service providers, attorneys, educators, environmentalists, producers, landowners, policymakers, and students to discuss the complex intersection of environmental regulation and agriculture in Maryland. ALEI prides itself on hosting an event that brings agriculture and conservation experts together in a forum that allows for exchanging ideas and education for conference attendees on current legal topics of interest. For more information, to view the agenda, or to register, visit 2026 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
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Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees – What you Need to Know and Do
Are you trying to find, hire and keep great employees? Is it a bit confusing and time consuming? Do you know where to start and who to involve? Are you worried about the legal considerations when having non-family members employed? This course will help you sort through all these questions and concerns. Navigating this process doesn’t have to be difficult as this course will share with you. Through the four modules of this course, you’ll get important information and resources you can adapt for your own operation. For more information go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/grant-proposals/hiring-and-retaining-farm-employees
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Land in Maryland: Basic Legal Issues for All Landowners
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) has released a new online course for rural landowners in Maryland. The So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland course is now available through the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management System – Canvas. The free program will cover those legal issues that Maryland landowners may face. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management
Education Center. The online course will feature Paul Goeringer, a Senior Faculty Specialist and Extension Specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landowner liability issues, right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability, and estate planning. For more information or to register, go to https://extension.umd.edu/resource/so-you-want-own-rural-land-maryland-basic-legal-issues-all-landowners-online-course/
Recordings from past events
Virtual Forage Conference: Jan. 25 & 27, 2022
Description: The 2022 Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences will be offered in virtually. The virtual sessions will follow the same format as last year and will take place over two partial days on January 25th and January 27th starting at 9 AM each morning. Certified crop advisor, nutrient management, and private pesticide applicator credits will be offered.
Recordings