Row Crop and Forage Production Meetings

Agronomy

Event: Talbot County Agronomy Program- 74th Talbot Corn Club and 55th Soybean Improvement Program
Date: January 14, 2026  |  Wednesday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  |  Cost: Banquet Admission: $20; Adult Corn Club Entry: $10
Location: VFW Post 5118, 355 Glebe Road, Easton, MD 21601
Description: Join us in celebrating the 2025 Harvest. Awards for contestants and recognitions for sponsors will be given out during the evening. The program includes a keynote speaker, a weather report, and a crop summary report.
For more information or to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talbot-county-agronomy-program-2025-crop-tickets-1618555847109?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Event: Carroll County Mid-Winter Meeting
Date: January 15, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Carroll County Ag Center-Burns Memorial Hall, 706 Agricultural Center Dr., Westminster, MD 21157
For more information contact: Bryan Butler at 410-386-2760 or email bbutlers@umd.edu

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Event: Lower Shore Agronomy Day
Date: January 21, 2026  |  Wednesday
Time: TBA
Location: Somerset County Civic Center, Cristfield Ln., Princess Anne, MD 21853
For more information contact: Sarah Hirsh

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Event: Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting
Date: February 3, 2026  |  Tuesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Cecil County Parks and Rec's Neighborhood  Community Center, 121 Stockton Street, Elkton, MD 21921
For more information, contact: Doris Behnke and Donna Witkowski at (410) 996-5280 (recorded message). Listen for the appropriate number to leave a message for Doris or Donna.

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Event: Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting
Date: February 17, 2026  |  Tuesday
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Deer Creek Overlook, 6 Cherry Hill Rd., Street, Maryland 21154
For more information contact: Andy Kness

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Event: Central Maryland Agronomy Meeting
Date: February 18, 2026  |  Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Urbana Fire Hall, 3602 Urbana Pike, Urbana, Maryland 21704
For more information or registration assistance contact: Lisa Strong at (301) 600-3576 or email lstrong@umd.edu

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Event: Caroline County/Mid-Shore Agronomy Meeting
Date: February 19, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Caroline County 4-H Park, 8230 Detour Road, Denton, MD 21629-2166
For more information call the UME-Caroline office at 410-479-4030

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Event: Precision Ag Conference
Date: February 26, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: The theme of this conference revolves around current and emerging technologies in agriculture, focusing on their impact on efficiency across diverse farming operations. The event will cover topics like Scouting/Field Assessment Technology, Pest Management, Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Post-Harvest Technology, Irrigation and Drainage, and Livestock management, showcasing upcoming technologies in Maryland. By uniting experts, researchers, and industry leaders, the conference will provide a platform for discussing innovative solutions, including precision farming, data analytics, automation, and drones. We anticipate a dynamic and interactive session, with attendees eager to learn from thought leaders such as yourself. The event will provide a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and fostering meaningful connections between the Agriculture and Technology community.
Location: Crown Plaza Hotel,173 Jennifer Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
For more information contact: Hemendra Kumar at (301) 226-7405

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Event: Queen Anne's County Agronomy Meeting
Date: February 27, 2026  |  Friday
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Queen Anne's County 4-H Park, 1945 4-H Park Rd Centreville, MD 21617
Registration: https://2026qacagronomyday.eventbrite.com/
For more information contact Jenny Rhodes

Forage

Event:  Southern Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 20, 2026  |   Tuesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost: Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Calvert County Fair, 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-St. Mary's Office at 301-475-4484. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-475-4484.
For more information Ben Beale at (301) 475-4481 (bbeale@umed.edu), Dave Myers at (301) 226-7473 (myersd@umd.edu), Hayden Schug at (301) 226-7502 (hschug@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/smdforage

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Event:  Western Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 21, 2026  |   Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, 178 Springs Road, Grantsville, MD 21536
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Garrett County Office at 301-334-6960. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-334-6960.
For more information or to register, contact Willie Lantz (301) 334-6960 (wlantz@umed.edu), or Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/wmdforage

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Event:  Central Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 22, 2026  |   Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Mt. Airy Fire Company Activities Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Frederick Office at 301-600-3576. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-600-3576.
For more information or to register, contact Nathan Glenn at (410) 313-2704 (nglenn@umd.edu), Kelly Nichols at (301) 226-7954 (kellyn@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/cmdforage

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/

Farm Stress Management

Farm Stress Management Course
This online self-paced training is designed for Agriculture Service Providers to equip them with the skills and knowledge to support farms and farm families in times of distress. The training was developed by the University of Maryland Extension Farm Stress Management Team. The goals include: identify signs of distress, develop skills to communicate with those experiencing stress, and provide resources both locally and nationally. Financial and regulatory topics will also be discussed as they are often contributors to stress on the farm. To access the course visit our online portal at https://umeagfs.teachable.com/p/farm-stress-management.

For more information on the Farm Stress Management program visit go.umd.edu/farmfamily. The program is open to all and is funded through a grant with the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under sub award number ENE20-160-34268.