Frederick AgFS

Agriculture & Food Systems in Frederick County

The Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) program provides research-based education and technical assistance to support Maryland's agricultural industry. Educational programs are designed for commercial producers, agricultural businesses, landowners, and individuals interested in agriculture.

Extension educators connect university research with practical solutions that help improve farm productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship through workshops, field demonstrations, publications, consultations, and other educational resources. 

Learn More About UME AgFS Programs

UME Areas of Expertise

  • Crop production and management
  • Livestock and poultry production
  • Fruit and vegetable production
  • Commercial horticulture
  • Farm and agribusiness management
  • Beginning farmer education
  • Urban agriculture
  • Nutrient management
  • Pesticide safety and certification
  • Soil health and conservation practices

AgFS Resources & Newsletters          AgFS Meetings & Events 

Frederick County Agriculture & Food System Programs

Frederick County is the largest agricultural county in Maryland, with the most farms and farmland acres. There are over 1,350 farms in the county, 188,567 acres dedicated to farming, and more than 55% of the land is zoned for agriculture. The county boasts a diverse agricultural base, featuring livestock such as dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, along with widespread crops of corn, soybeans, wheat, forages, fruits, and vegetables, as well as a burgeoning craft beverage scene. Learn more about Frederick County AgFS workshops and programs below or by contacting our office.

Agricultural Newsletters

Ag Resources

UME Ag Resources

Ag Resources & Newsletters

Frederick County Ag Resources

Maryland Statewide Ag Resources

Federal Resources

Farm Bill Tools

Nutrient Management

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding nutrient vouchers and certified farm operators (CFOs)

Q: How do I know if my nutrient voucher is still valid?
A: Each voucher holder should have a card with an expiration date on it, and MDA will also send out expiration notices in the mail.

Q: Can I look up if my nutrient voucher is still valid?
A: There is no online way to look them up, however voucher holders may contact MDA's regional offices or headquarters directly to look up that information or email nminfo.mda@maryland.gov.

Q: Where is the list of voucher training courses?
A: MDA Nutrient Management Training webpage

Q: What should a farmer do when attending nutrient voucher training to ensure his/her voucher is updated?
A: The host of the meeting will have sign-in sheets, make sure you sign in (this includes winter meetings for which voucher certification is offered).

Q: What is a certified farm operator (CFO)?
A: A CFO is a farmer who is certified to write their own nutrient management plan for their operation.

Q: I want to write my own plan, how do I become a CFO?
A: Sign up for a class!

Q: How many nutrient management CEUs do I need to keep my CFO certification valid?
A: You will need 2 credits within the first year, and 6 credits every 3 years thereafter.

Q: How do I know when my CFO certification needs to be renewed?
A: Each CFO should have a card with an expiration date on it, and MDA will also send out renewal notices in the mail.

Q: What do I do when I receive a renewal notice?
A: You will need to report qualifying CEUs that you received over the past 1 year/3 years and send the notice back to MDA. If you are unsure of when you received CEUs, you can contact MDA's regional offices or headquarters to find out. Good recordkeeping is your best bet.

Q: Where can I find out more about Nutrient Management?
A: University of MD Extension Agriculture Nutrient Management Program

To view dates and places for Nutrient Voucher Training or  Recertification, click the button below.

FTC and Nutrient Management Voucher Trainings/Meetings 

Additional ways to recertify:

  1. Agricultural Nutrient Management Training Program (MDA). Upcoming available classes that offer credits.
  2. Additional online webinars (MDA). Print out the quiz before you start watching the program so you can follow along. All your answers must be correct to earn CEUs. Mail the completed quiz no later than 3 business days after you view the program to MDA at the address provided on the quiz.  Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Soil Probe Information

Soil probes are available to borrow from the Frederick County Extension Office. Use them to collect proper soil samples before submitting them to an accredited lab for testing.

1. Download and fill out the Soil Probe Sign-Out fillable form and email it to us to request an appointment to borrow a probe.

2. Contact our office to schedule a time to pick up the probe and drop off your $100.00 deposit (cash or check) for the use of the probe.  Probes are to be returned within a two-week time frame.  Pick-up times will be Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. during office hours.

3. Please contact our office to confirm when you will return the probe so we can exchange the probe for your deposit and have you sign that you received your returned deposit.  Drop-off times will be Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. during office hours.

Soil Probe Point of contact: 

Lisa Strong lstrong@umd.edu  301-600-3576

Soil Sampling and Testing information is available on the Agricultural Nutrient Management Program Plan Writing Tools web page. 

Scroll down to select 2. Soil Sampling and Testing to find up-to-date documents.

  • Soil Sampling Procedures for Nutrient Management Instruction Card for Producer Use
  • Comparison of Soil Test Labs

Hay Testing

UME does not currently have forage probes on loan, but we offer lab listings as an information service. UME is not responsible for their content, and these listings do not constitute an endorsement of any non-affiliated organizations, businesses, products, or content of these pages by the University of Maryland Extension or the University of Maryland.

List of Certified Labs 

Click on the NFTA Certified Laboratories link. Contact the lab you are interested in to get the requirements needed to send in your hay sample.

Forage Probe Instructions:

Private Applicator Pesticide Application & Safety

Pesticide Certifications

Pesticide Safety and Training

To acquire a Private Applicator's License: 

 

  1. UME offers optional in-person training each fall; the exam is usually administered the following week. 

     

  2. If no in-person trainings are available nearby, online self-paced training is available at https://umeagfs.teachable.com. Scroll down to the Maryland Pesticide Private Applicator Optional Training button. Exams are available to take in Denton, Boonsboro, or Annapolis when MDA offers their commercial exams every 2 months, but this is subject to change.  See the commercial pesticide exam dates on MDA's website and who to contact to advise that you will be attending the exam and to find out what you will need the day of the exam.

Core Manuals are available as a free download. If you need to purchase other manuals, please refer to the National Pesticide Safety Education Center.  Maryland commercial applicator manuals available to purchase include: Commercial Applicator Core Manual, Agricultural Pest Control, Aquatic Pest Control, Ornamentals & Turf Pest Control.  

If you are in need of credits to recertify your Private Applicator Pesticide license,  check the button below to  view dates and places for Pesticide Recertification

Pesticide Trainings/Meetings 

Enroll in a self-paced online class to receive credits for recertification by scrolling down to the Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification button.

Extension AgFS Resources

The University of Maryland Agriculture and Food Systems team provides a variety of agricultural education programs and resources. Explore them all.

More Frederick County Extension Programs