Healthy Chesapeake Bay

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Maryland is offering multiple opportunities to visit and tour the University of Maryland this spring, including Maryland Information Sessions and Terrapin Tours. To complement these campus visits, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is holding an Information Session on select visit days! This particular Info Session will be tailored to admitted students and therefore prospective students will be asked to opt into another Info Session. Join us to learn more about our nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, and life as a Terp.

This Info Session will include a brief presentation - providing an overview of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and some UMD basics - as well time to interact with and ask questions of current AGNR students! At the mid-point of this session, guests will breakout to meet with their academic department/major.

Please use the registration form found at the link below for the AGNR options *only* (this will not register you for one of the University held Info Sessions or Tours). Registration will close shortly before the Info Session date, at that time, we will send information regarding location and parking. If you have questions, please contact us at FutureAGNR@umd.edu.

The Backyard Gardening Webinar Series is a free virtual program designed for gardeners of all levels, offering valuable insights from expert presenters in each session. Hosted via Zoom, these one-hour sessions on Tuesdays at noon are both informative and interactive, providing an opportunity for participants to learn and engage with specialists in the field. Each session covers a specific gardening topic, and at the end of the presentation, there is a Q&A segment where attendees can ask questions and get personalized advice.

2025 Schedule

Have you updated your nutrient management plan for the upcoming cropping season? Do you have questions? Do you need help getting started? Do you need a software refresher?

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) Nutrient Management Specialists will be available to assist you with updating to your nutrient management plan and the nutrient management planning software NuMan Pro 5.3. The sessions will be informal and participants will work at their own pace. Participants must be familiar with a keyboard/computer and able to retrieve and save files. Bring a keyboarding assistant, if needed.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

• A copy of your most recent nutrient management plan
• An electronic copy of your NuMan Pro file and other plan components on CD or memory stick
• Soil test results no older than Fall 2022
• A recent manure analysis (if manure is applied to your land)
• Knowledge of what crops are planned for the 2025 cropping season
• A record of manure applications made in the 2023 and 2024 cropping years

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?
Laptop computers equipped with NuMan Pro 5.3 software, printers, and technical support to make the updating process quick and easy.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

• Registration is mandatory to ensure an adequate number of computers are available.
• Each session will be limited to 11 participants so register early.
• There is no fee to attend these sessions.
• Register by contacting Paul Shipley at 301-405-2563 or prs@umd.edu
• Note: Continuing education credits are not available for these sessions.

Salisbury, MD – The Eastern Shore Pest Management Conference will take place on February 11, 2025, at the Wicomico Civic Center, located at 500 Glen Ave, Salisbury, MD. This premier event brings together industry professionals for a day of insightful presentations and networking, focusing on the latest trends and techniques in pest management.

Agenda

This conference is an excellent opportunity for attendees to gain valuable continuing education credits in various categories

• MDA-NM Certification: 2 CEU for Professional Fertilizer Applicator (PFA)
• MDA Pesticide Credits: 2 (Forestry), 3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research).
• Virginia Pesticide Credits: 2 (forestry),3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research), technician.
• Delaware Pesticide Credits: 2 (forestry),3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research) District of Columbia Pesticide Credits: 3A, C, (Ornamentals and Turf) 5 (Aquatic) 6 (Right of way), 10 (Demonstration & Research).
• Pennsylvania Pesticide Credits: 00 (Core 2), PC(Private 6), 06 (Ornamental and Shade Trees 3), 07 (Lawns and Turf3), 09 (Aquatic Pest Control 2), 10 (Right of Way & Weeds 3), 18 Demonstration & Research 10), 23 (Park/School Pest Control 10)
• West Virginia Pesticide credits: Cat 4A Turf & Ornamentals (6) , Cat 6 Aquatic Weed Control (4) , Cat 7 Right of Way (6)
• ISA: 3 CEUs, Maryland Tree Expert LTE: 4.0 CEUs Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional: 4 CEUs
• CPH: 1CEU (self-reporting on the MNLGA website)

Cost:

• Early Bird Registration: $81.88 (includes fees)  
• After February 7: $92.55 (includes fees) 

Reserve your spot today by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-eastern-shore-pest-management-conference-tickets-1091167825339

Join us for a day of learning, networking, and advancing your knowledge in pest management.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Ginny Rosenkranz on or before (2 weeks prior to event; may adjust depending on accommodation) at (301) 226-7715 or rosnkrnz@umd.edu

The workshop will feature Paul Goeringer, a Principal 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. The workshops will also involve research related to solar development by Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC.

The workshop will feature Paul Goeringer, a Principal 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. The workshops will also involve research related to solar development by Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC.

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC)

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations

Winter/Spring 2025 Sessions

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who meet the minimum requirements ($2,500 gross agricultural income or 8 animal units) to learn how to write their own nutrient management plan (NMP). Interested producers may attend one of four sessions, see registration information below. Upon completion of this course producers will become certified to write their operation’s plan and will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
Time and Certification: This course requires a significant time commitment. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels and multiple sources of organic amendments may require additional training. Additional optional opportunities will be announced for each session during training. Farmers are required to have current soil and manure/organic tests prior to the training. To become certified, farmers must complete all coursework, pass the certification exam, and have their first nutrient management plan approved by MDA.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer (provided for in-person courses)
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
  • Webcam (for online course)
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Web browsing
    • MS Office programs (Word, Excel), PDF readers
    • Ability to download/open/save computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program (NuMan Pro)

Cost and Accommodation:

• Space is limited, register early. Registration will close one week prior to the course date or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course) and $25 for NuMan Pro software.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training, please contact Kayla Griffith (kmgriffi@umd.edu) no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course.

Registration: Below are the four sessions that will be available during the winter and spring 2025. Register for one session only. Please pay particular attention to location, sessions are in-person or online only, there is no hybrid option. Registration is first come, first serve for those who have updated soil tests and manure tests (if applicable). Instructors reserve the right to cancel sessions that do not meet minimum registration requirements. Lunch will not be provided for in-person sessions, please plan accordingly.

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

The use of deicing salts and rising sea level is increasingly making our surface and ground water more saline. This issue has major implications on aquatic ecosystems and the numerous species that depend on them. In addition, increasing salinity can increase corrosion with subsequent infrastructure damage and releasing toxic metals in our drinking water. This webinar will discuss the impact of this issue, ways to reduce impacts and protect drinking water quality.

Wells are a significant source of drinking water for Americans. Well water is not regulated as are public water supplies, and therefore the well owner is responsible to test, if necessary, treat the water. This webinar will cover basic well design and types, wellhead protection measures, how to test your well and review basic water filtration.

Plastics have been around for decades and as they break down into small particles, micro and nano plastics pollution is everywhere. This includes air, rain, surface and groundwater, animals, plants, some of the foods we eat, and even in human body tissue. Tune into this webinar to learn more about how we can reduce our exposure while being better stewards of our environment.