About Frederick County Ag

Frederick County has 1,373 farms. These farms cover a total of 188,567 acres, which is approximately 44% of the total land in the county. Frederick County has a diverse agriculture sector. Livestock raised include dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. Crops grown include corn, soybeans, wheat, forages, vegetables, and fruits. The county also has a growing craft beverage industry.

Contact us

301-600-3577
skkidd@umd.edu Sara Kidd, Agriculture Educator

301-600-3571
sabsum@umd.edu Sabrina Summers, Nutrient Management Advisor

301-600-3576
lstrong@umd.edu Lisa Strong, Agriculture Administrative Assistant

Frederick County Welcomes New Ag Educator

Sara Kidd, Frederick County Agriculture Agent

Sara Kidd - new Agriculture Educator for the University of Maryland Extension, Frederick County Office. Sara previously served as an extension associate for North Carolina State University at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), where she developed and coordinated registered agricultural apprenticeship programs. In this role, she supported military veterans and other beginning farmers as they transitioned into agricultural careers, gained extensive experience navigating workforce development systems, and worked directly with farmers to strengthen their mentorship capacity and connect them with business resources. She has also taught animal science courses at the community college level and supervised student interns.

Sara holds an associates degree in sustainable agriculture from Lenoir Community College, a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a master’s degree in agricultural and extension education and a certificate in instructional design from North Carolina State University where she is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Agricultural and Human Sciences department.

Although she has been in North Carolina for the last 10 years she is originally from Sykesville, MD and is a lifelong equestrian. She now lives with her husband and three children on a small farm in Thurmont, where they raise hair sheep and keep a few horses. She also loves gardening and spending time in nature and is interested in therapeutic horticulture. Sara looks forward to working with local farmers and enhancing community-based food systems and agricultural initiatives through research-based education and outreach with University of Maryland Extension in Frederick County.

Upcoming Programs

Extension Events

To see what Agriculture related events and workshops are upcoming visit this webpageAgriculture & Food Systems Meetings and Events

For a variety of events and workshops, scroll through the Extension Event Calendar.  Check out the latest news and research Extension is working on. 

Extension News & Events

Women in Agriculture

As the USDA reports, the number of women involved in agriculture has grown in recent years. MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture is dedicated to providing knowledge and resources to women who share a passion for agriculture. 

Webinars are offered the second Tuesday of each month. They are FREE and open to all!  A listing of current and previous webinars is on our Women in Agriculture webpage. 

Maryland Beef Webinar Series

Maryland Beef Webinar Series

Private Applicator Pesticide Training and Exam

If you're looking to acquire a Private Applicator's License, there are a few ways to do this:

  1. We offer optional in-person training each fall; the exam is usually administered the following week. Check here for upcoming training -  Pesticide Trainings/Meetings
  2. If no in-person trainings are available nearby, online training is available at https://umeagfs.teachable.com/ scroll down to 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 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.  

Additional information can be found on our Pesticide Safety and Training webpage

Some things to note for the day of the exam:

  • Exam is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture
  • CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES (EXCEPT FOR A CALCULATOR) ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE EXAM ROOM.

Private Applicator Pesticide Credits

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

Pesticide Trainings/Meetings 

For more information go to our Pesticide Safety and Training web page. You can also Enroll in a self-paced online class to receive credits for recertification at https://umeagfs.teachable.com/. Scroll down to the Private Pesticide Applicator ReCertification button.

Nutrient Management Voucher Applicator Credits

To view dates and places for Nutrient Voucher Training/Recertification go to -  

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 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.

Coffee and Conversations Breakfast

Meet the new Frederick County Agriculture Extension Agent and network with fellow farmers and community members, or fellow veterans and family members, as per meeting dates. Discuss challenges, celebrate successes, share experiences, and learn from others.

Farmers breakfast
July 24th, 9:00 - 11:00 am at Fox Haven Farm, Jefferson MD 
or
August 21st, 9:00 - 11:00 am at Mountain Gate Family Restaurant, Thurmont, MD 

Veterans and Military breakfast
July 30th, 9:30 - 11:30 am, at Twin Arch Tavern, Mt Airy, MD

These are free events and breakfast will be provided. Please register in advance so we can get a headcount. For inquiries or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate please contact Sara Kidd at skkidd@umd.edu or 301-600-3577.

Coffee and Conversations Breakfast flyer

Ag Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for help on your farm?  Take a look at A Guide To Custom Operators. If you are a custom operator and would like to be added to our resource guide, please fill out our Custom Operators form.

Land Rental Rates - USDA, National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) Cash Rental Rates.

Lease Agreements

Maryland FarmLink is a website that helps Maryland farmers buy, sell, and lease farmland as well as connect with other farmers. This website is run by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission.

Beginning Farmer Resource Guide for Frederick, Howard, & Montgomery Counties, Maryland (FS-2023-0691)

Ag Links to Resources

Frederick County Extension Ag Facebook page

University of Maryland

University of Maryland Extension

Frederick County Government

  • Frederick County Office of Agriculture - The Office of Agriculture is dedicated to preserving farmland through conservation easements, supporting agricultural operations with business support and technical assistance, and promoting local farms through initiatives like Homegrown Frederick, ensuring a vibrant and diverse agricultural community. Our mission is to preserve our farming heritage, assist farmers in their endeavors, and promote a thriving agricultural sector. 
  • Frederick County Office of Economic Development - The Office of Economic Development works to increase the overall economic health of Frederick County by attracting new businesses and help existing businesses be more successful. Since agriculture is one of the key industries in the county, the Office of Economic Development assists farmers with promoting agriculture and walking through regulations for items such as zoning and value-added products. Homegrown Frederick, a website and annual magazine that promotes local farms, is published by the Office of Economic Development.
  • Frederick County Agricultural Land Preservation Program - The Agricultural Land Preservation office administers a variety of local, state, and federal land preservation programs focused on protecting agricultural lands. These preservation programs provide many opportunities to the farmers of Frederick County to protect the future of their farmlands and promote natural resource industries.
  • Frederick County Weed Control - 301-600-1586 Frederick County Weed Control operates through a joint partnership between the county government and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Weed Control enforces the State Weed Control Law which regulates johnsongrass, shattercane, and thistles. They also provide technical assistance to landowners for initiating noxious weed control programs.
  • Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Frederick County Office - The Environmental Health Services Division of the MDH oversees regulations dealing with wells, septic systems, food service facilities, farmers markets, cottage food businesses, and value-added products.

Frederick Soil Conservation
The Frederick County Soil Conservation District promotes and implements a range of local, state, and federal programs including land preservation, USDA-NRCS programs including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program (MACS). The Frederick County Soil Conservation District develops soil conservation and water quality plans and provide assistance to landowners to install best management practices. Assisting livestock operations is one of our priorities along with providing assistance for the implementation of Farm Bill programs. We encourage new cooperators and livestock operations and implement the environmental provisions of the Farm Bill.

Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (Future Harvest CASA)
Future Harvest CASA provides education, networking, and advocacy to help build a sustainable Chesapeake foodshed; protect our land, water, and air; and provide healthy, nutritious food that sustains the region’s communities and cities. Future Harvest CASA offers field days, meetings, conferences, as well as a Beginning Farmer Training Program.

Hay and Straw for Sale

Homegrown Frederick
Homegrown Frederick is a place where you can find local products, Farmers' Markets, learn about area farms and what is going on in the Ag community.

Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation
MARBICO is a quasi-public economic development organization that helps Maryland’s farm, forestry, and seafood businesses achieve sustainability and profitability. They offer loan and grant programs for farmers and rural business owners, land preservation programs, partnerships with commercial lenders, and business resources and planning tools for rural entrepreneurs. 

Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

  • Forestry Division - The Forestry Division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources can assist landowners with the establishment, management, and harvesting of trees on their property.
  • Wildlife Division - The Wildlife Division of DNR manages the wildlife in the state. They handle complaints dealing with wildlife damage to crops and issue control permits and work with landowners to develop wildlife management plans.

Maryland FarmLink
Maryland FarmLink is a website that helps Maryland farmers buy, sell, and lease farmland as well as connect with other farmers. This website is run by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission.

Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
2020 Legal Services Directory

Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit
Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative. They offer farm, home, and land loans, as well as crop insurance. Farm Credit also has a Beginning Farmer Program and an AgBiz Masters Program for young and beginning farmers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • Farm Service Agency - The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. FSA handles the government cost-share and price support programs, as well as low-interest loans. Disaster programs for drought, freeze, and hail are also handled by FSA.
  • Grants and Loans
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for installing farm practices that reduce soil erosion and benefit water quality. These practices include grass waterways, diversions, crop strips, ponds, watering troughs, manure pits, cover crops, stream buffers, and many more. NRCS also writes conservation plans, which are plans for the implementation of conservation practices on the farm.
  • New Farmer Website - USDA has a section of their website dedicated to new farmers, women in ag, young farmers, and veterans. Information on how to start a farm, business resources, and grants and loans are available on this website

Nutrient Management Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some quick 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

Forage and Soil Probe Information

The Frederick County Extension Office has soil probes that you may borrow to take your samples that you will send to a lab for analysis. 

1. Please 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. Please 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 am- 4:30 pm 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 am- 4:30 pm 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 and open up #2 Soil Sampling and Testing drop down box. Here you will find up-to-date documents.

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

Hay Testing

We do not have a forage probe to loan. Here is some information on how to collect a sample and a list of labs to send your sample to.

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:

Sampling Video (North Carolina State Extension)
Steps for Good Sampling Methods (University of California Extension)
Forage Sampling Procedures and Equipment (Kansas State Extension)

Collecting Forage Samples for Analysis (Oklahoma State University) includes collecting a forage sample by hand

 

 

Newsletters

Agronomy

June 2026

Highlights

  • MDA Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Program (PHI)
  • Seed to Harvest
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • Solar Energy Webinar Series: Land Leasing
  • Maryland Crop Scouting School at WYE
  • IPM Webinar Series
  • Annual Procrastinator's Pesticide and Urban Nutrient Management Conference

May 6, 2026

Highlights

  • Advanced Cover Crop Program Opportunity
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • IPM Webinar Series
  • Farm Stress Management
  • Beginning Farmer Success
  • Center for Farm Retail Innovation
  • Local Events
    • 6/4/26 Cheese Day at Utica Park
    • 6/6/26 Seed to Harvest Building Ribbon Cutting
    • Frederick County Public Schools - Upcoming FFA Plant Sales
  • USDA Designates Nine Maryland Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Severe Drought

 

Livestock and Pasture Walk

June 2026

Highlights

  • MDA Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Program (PHI)
  • Seed to Harvest
  • Meat Science program
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • Confident & Capable: Women Raising Cattle Workshop
  • Solar Energy Webinar Series: Land Leasing
  • Pasture Walk at University of Maryland WMREC
  • Maryland Crop Scouting School at WYE
  • Annual Procrastinator's Pesticide and Urban Nutrient Management Conference
  • Pasture Walk at Maryland Solar Grazing Solutions

May 6, 2026

Highlights

  • Advanced Cover Crop Program Opportunity
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • Farm Stress Management
  • Beginning Farmer Success
  • Center for Farm Retail Innovation
  • Local Events
    • 6/4/26 Cheese Day at Utica Park
    • 6/6/26 Seed to Harvest Building Ribbon Cutting
    • Frederick County Public Schools - Upcoming FFA Plant Sales
  • USDA Designates Nine Maryland Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Severe Drought

Small Farms

June 2026

Highlights

  • MDA Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Program (PHI)
  • Controlled Environment Agriculture Survey
  • Seed to Harvest
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • Free Lawn and Landscape Field Day
  • Solar Energy Webinar Series: Land Leasing
  • Practical Realities of Building a Regenerative Farm From the Ground Up
  • IPM Webinar Series
  • Annual Procrastinator's Pesticide and Urban Nutrient Management Conference

May 6, 2026

Highlights

  • Advanced Cover Crop Program Opportunity
  • Women in Agriculture Webinars
  • IPM Webinar Series
  • Farm Stress Management
  • Beginning Farmer Success
  • New Online Course: Maryland Cottage Food Producers and On-Farm Processors
  • Future Harvest: Flowers, Chick Rentals, & Low Intervention Wine at Rocklands Farm Winery
  • Center for Farm Retail Innovation
  • Local Events
    • 6/4/26 Cheese Day at Utica Park
    • 6/6/26 Seed to Harvest Building Ribbon Cutting
    • Frederick County Public Schools - Upcoming FFA Plant Sales
  • Practical Realities of Building a Regenerative Farm From the Ground Up
  • USDA Designates Nine Maryland Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Severe Drought

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