Webinars

3/27/19: Soils and Salts: From Fertilizer to Tidewater

Salts are a natural component of soils. In fact most nutrients and fertilizers exist in salt forms such as potassium chloride (KCl). Salts can have a negative effect on plant growth, reducing their ability to pull water from the soil. Although the East usually has enough rainfall to keep salt levels low, fertilizer placement, irrigation water, and flooding in the low lying areas of the Mid-Atlantic can all have detrimental effects. We will discuss how to read salt sources, understand fertilizer placement, and implement remediation for gardens and row crops.

4/10/19: Estate and Transition Planning Success

Estate and Transition Planning Success!  Real Life Examples of How to Develop a Plan to Transition Your Farm to the Next Generation

Do you have a plan to transition to the farm to the next generation of managers?  Does it accomplish all your goals?  Are you considering adopting one for the first time?  Join this session to look at some real-world examples of how to develop a plan to transition the farm to the next generation successfully and those plans that have failed to handle those stresses.

4/24/19: Predator Control for your Small Flock

One of the chicken lovers worse fears is losing a beloved chicken to a predator.  It can happen to the best of us.  This webinar will  identifiy patterns of predation and how to keep your small flock safe.

5/8/19: Keep it Legal!: Legal Considerations for Marketing Your Farm Social Media

Farmers are being told that they have to get onboard with interactive marketing opportunities such as Facebook, Instagram, websites, blogs, e-mail campaigns, podcasts, and even e-commerce.  But there are legal traps for the unwary in cyber land.  Learn how to avoid legal landmines by learning the legal parameters concerning postings, dealing with negative feedback, posting pictures, and on-line offerings.

5/22/19: Thought Leadership and Branding on Social Media

Success on Social Media is more than selling a product or service. For the agriculture sector, success is measured by engaged conversations, reaching out beyond our comfort zone and cultivating your personal and professional brand into a trusted Thought Leader. There's an abundance of conversations about agriculture on social media and not all of them are positive. Be empowered to enter the conversation and make a difference.

6/12/19: Emotional Well-Being: Warning Signs and Resources

Farmers experience a wide range of emotional stress that can effect both the individual and their family.  This session will share warning signs and resources available to deal with emotional stress.  Some topics covered include financial stress, substance abuse, depression, and suicide.

6/26/19: Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket

This session will cover raising backyard poultry for egg production and sales. Topics covered includes  basic nutrition and problems encountered with laying hens.  We will also talk about handling  eggs and what to do if someone wants to sell them.

7/10/19: Water and Water Reuse in Agriculture

Water is so important on the farm – but not all water sources are the same. This webinar will go over recent research on water quality differences between river, pond, and recycled water as well as explaining how recycled water could be a reliable alternative for irrigation water. We will also provide information on new publications and multimedia materials related to recycled water in agriculture.

7/24/19: Introducton to Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM), is a broad-based approach to keeping pests population below economic injury level. This webinar will review basic IPM pinciples, control tactics, and how to diagnose problems.  

8/14/19: Farm Liability Insurance and Farm Business Structures: How they can work together to protect you and your farming business

Bewildered by the many types of farm insurance? Confused about the difference between a sole proprietorship, an LLC, a corporation, and a cooperative? Join us as we sort through your options. Nicole Cook, Environmental and Agricultural Faculty Legal Specialist from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, wil explain the basics of insurance and business structures for your farm, and will zoom in on how farm liability insurance and your choice of business structures for your farm can work together to protect you and your farm.

8/28/19: Boost Your Email Newsletter Open Rates

While some claim they are “dead,” email marketing still has one of the highest engagement rates and returns on investment of any marketing strategy. The success of your email newsletters is dependent upon their open rates. Learn a few simple strategies to increase your chances of someone opening your e-newsletter instead of clicking the dreaded “delete” button.

9/11/19: This Just In. Your Ag-Role for Media Requests

Have you been asked for an interview by a print or broadcast reporter or comment on a local or ag-related issue? How should you prepare? What do you wear? What is the reporter looking for? Embrace this opportunity and control the message and image you provide for your family and farm. We'll go over techniques on how to optimize your role in the interview and stay focused on your message.

9/25/19: Managing Your Forested Farmland

This webinar will outline how farmers can best profit from and maintain their forested acres.  Learn about the Maryland forestry legal framework and how you can benefit from creating a forest conservation plan. 

10/9/19: Understanding Your Credit and Credit Scores

Understanding credit is as important as knowing when to plant your crops.  Credit defines your trustworthiness in repaying your debt. This webinar will provide an overview of how credit is used in your everyday life.  Knowing how to obtain your credit report and correct mistakes are important steps in improving your credit score and reducing the amount of interest you pay on loans.  It is also an important step in protecting you identity.  Join us to develop a greater understanding of credit, how it impacts your life, and steps you can take to improve your credit score.

10/23/19: Yes, It's Time for Twitter. Really.

Of all the social media platforms in use today, this presenter believes Twitter is the most valuable for the agriculture sector. Learn what is new in Twitter and how to grow your influence on the platform and join in conversations which can positively impact how others view agriculture.

11/13/19: Excel and Spreadsheets on the Farm

Excel is powerful software that can help record, organize and sort your farm data.  This webinar will provide an overview of excel spreadsheets and ideas on how to organize them for farm use.  

12/11/19: Meals on Wheels- Food Trucks, Pop-up Markets, Home Delivery

Consumers are asking for convenience in their meal preparations, healthy foods but short wait times, and meals in a box delivered almost into their kitchen.  How do the new models for marketing to these customers work? What are the advantages and disadvantages to these types of marketing outlets? Are any of these marketing models really profitable? Join us to look at these options, discover possible variations that might work with your marketing, and see examples of each type operating around the country.