Farm Stress Management
There are no programs scheduled at this time. Please check back soon for upcoming events.
Agricultural 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/
LEAD Maryland
The LEAD Program seeks applicants with career, service, or interest in: production agriculture, natural resources, the environment and conservation, food (processing, sourcing, distribution, marketing, safety), rural communities and development, business, communications, education, government, science and technology, finance, and much more. Fellowships provide:
- Public Issues Education (PIE);
- Personal growth and leadership development opportunities;
- Communications and problem-solving skills training;
- Support, direction, and resources to help emerging leaders succeed in serving agricultural, natural resources, and rural community sectors; Opportunities to learn more about Maryland and to meet leaders from throughout the state.
For more information about the program and the application process
Beginning Farmers
Small Farm Success Workshop
Date: October 15, 2026 | Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Elk Room, Cecil County Administration Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Elkton, MD 21921
Description: Topics to be covered include: pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, ag business and marketing, right-to-farm law, ag leasing, micro grant resources, NRCS cost-share resources.
To register online, visit the Small Farm Success Workshop registration page, or call the Kent County Extension Office at (410) 778-1661, or email asteele4@umd.edu. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Kent County Extension Office at (410) 778-1661, option 6, on or before October 1, 2026.