Animal Science Meetings

Livestock

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

Aquaculture 

Currently, there are no scheduled events. Please check back later.

Horses

Equine educational programs are offered throughout the year. They are primarily focused on pasture management and equine nutrition.

Check out our upcoming programs 

Poultry

Poultry educational programs are offered throughout the year.

Check out our upcoming programs

Forage

Event: Pasture Walk at Plow and Stars Farm
Date: August 6, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Plow and Stars Farm, 14010 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension, Future Harvest, and the Million Acre Challenge for an educational pasture walk at Plow and Stars Farm in Poolesville, MD (Montgomery county). Plow and Stars Farm raises grass-fed Katahdin lamb and poultry with a focus on diversified grazing and soil health practices. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: multi-species grazing, virtual fencing, transitioning conventional grain fields to regenerative agriculture, and silvopasture. Key soil health practices will be discussed, including improved nutrient cycling from diverse manure sources, enhanced soil structure, and increased soil organic matter. The workshop will also feature a demonstration of the Maryland Soil Health Card to assess physical and biological indicators of soil health, and monitor the outcomes of soil management practices .
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwAugust

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Event: Pasture Walk at Grazy Days Family Farm
Date: September 21, 2026  |  Monday
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm  | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Grazy Days Family Farm, 12102 Coppermine Rd, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension for an educational pasture walk at Grazy Days Family in Union Bridge, MD (Frederick county). Grazy Days Family Farm is a mother and daughter led farm raising 100% grass-fed lamb and local chestnuts. The farm focuses on regenerative agricultural practices, including grass-fed livestock production, promoting diversity throughout the farm, and integration of trees for silvopasture and fruit and nut production. Participants will have an opportunity to see and discuss several aspects of the operation, including: grazing management for grass-fed lamb production, establishment of trees for silvopasture, and diversifying with tree crop production. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Agroforestry Specialist will also be on hand to answer questions related to technical and funding assistance available for agroforestry practice implementation.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pwSeptember

Ag Law

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/