Publications

Authors: Rashmi Sahu - Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D. - Andrew Ristvey - Luke Macaulay - Stanton Gill

This guide provides an overview of the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107 and registering drones for legal operation in the United States. It explains eligibility criteria, knowledge test requirements, and the certification process for commercial small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operators. In addition, it summarizes key operational rules under Part 107, such as visual line-of-sight, altitude limitations, airspace authorization, and safety responsibilities. Designed for students, researchers, agricultural professionals, and new drone operators, this resource serves as a practical reference for understanding FAA compliance and promoting safe, responsible, and lawful drone operations. The guide supports the growing use of drones in applications such as precision agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, and aerial data collection. Authors: Rashmi Sahu, Dr. Hemendra Kumar, Dr. Andrew Ristvey, Dr. Luke Macaulay, and Stanton Gill; Title: Guide for FAA Part 107 Certification and Drone Registration (FS-2026-0803.

Authors: Veronica (Johnson) Yurchak

This guide equips high tunnel growers to manage thrips and mites using biological control. Learn to select effective natural enemies, optimize environmental conditions, and successfully integrate these tactics with your existing pest management plan. Author: Veronica Yurchak; Title: Using Augmentative Biological Control for Managing Thrips and Mites in Maryland High Tunnels (FS-2025-0749).

Authors: Karen Basinger - Jennifer Dixon Cravens - Mona Habibi - Shauna Henley - Beverly Jackey - Jeanette Jeffrey - Erin Jewell - LIsa McCoy - Dhruti Patel

Capture the Flavor: Herbs & Spices" is a national program for adults, led by trained Extension Agents or their volunteers and/or interns. The 75-minute program can take place in-person or virtually and takes participants through the herbs and spices journey, including its history, culinary best practices, storage, food safety/processing, and health benefits. Trained Extension agents will receive an educator manual, access to digital materials for the program, a mechanism to capture program impact, and resources for participants. Authors: Karen Basinger MS, CFCS, LDN​, Jennifer Dixon-Cravens MS​, Mona Habibi, PhD​, Shauna Henley, PhD; Project Director​, Beverly Jackey MS, RDN, LDN; Co-Project Director​, Jeanette Jeffrey MS, MPH, MCHES​, Erin Jewell MS, RDN, LDN​, Lisa McCoy MS, RDN, LDN​,and Dhruti Patel MS, P.G.Dipl.; Title: Capture the Flavor: Herbs & Spices (EC‑2024‑0726)

Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner - Neith Little - Donald Murphy - Richard Francis - Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein

Interested in harvesting rainwater on your urban farm? Harvesting rainwater could provide a supplemental source of irrigation water. Learn about collecting rainwater on urban farms by adding gutters to high tunnels. Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner, Neith Little, Donald Murphy, Richard Francis & Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein; Title: Rainwater Harvesting on Urban Farms: Adding Gutters to Collect Rainwater from a High Tunnel (FS-2025-0765).

Authors: Amy Lang

This resource provides a bank of tools that 4-H leaders can apply the Thriving Model and facilitate a strong sense of belonging among youth participants. Author: Amy Lang; Title: Putting the 4-H Thriving Model into Practice (EBR-2025-0762).

Authors: Luke Macaulay

Discover the four pillars for managing deer damage to crops, forests, and gardens: hunting for population control, habitat management to divert deer, repellents/deterrents/predators, and fencing. Practical strategies from UMD Extension Wildlife Specialist Luke Macaulay, Ph.D. for Maryland landowners. Author: Luke Macaulay, Ph.D.; Title: The 4 Pillars of Managing Deer Damage (EB-2024-0740).

Authors: Jena Pinkard - Catherine Sorenson - Shauna Henley

This factsheet covers what to do with food in the event of a power outage. It explains food safety guidelines to help determine what food can be kept and what food needs to be thrown away. It also explains how to use homeowners or renter’s insurance to cover the cost of replacing any food that needs to be thrown away. Authors: Jena Pinkard, Catherine “Carrie” Sorenson, and Dr. Shauna C. Henley; Title: Am I Losing a Refrigerator Full of Food After a Power Outage? (FS-2025-0791).

Authors: Dorothy Nuckols

Ongoing federal student loan reforms were implemented in 2025 and continue into the future. They shape repayment plans, forgiveness rules, and borrowing limits. Borrowers must meet key deadlines to optimize costs and avoid losing benefits. Here is what to know. Author: Dorothy Nuckols, MPH, AFC; Title: Federal Student Loan Reform 2025-2028: Your Guide to Repayment, Forgiveness, Borrowing Limits, and What You Need to Do (FS-2025-0788).

Authors: Daniel Pratson - Luke Macaulay - Kyle Magdziuk - Ben Larson

Early successional habitat, characterized by high densities of small trees and shrubs, is important for native wildlife in Maryland. However, this habitat type covers only a small portion of Maryland's landscape and has declined significantly in recent years. Many tree- and shrub-planting projects are underway across the state, and these efforts can help reverse the decline of early successional habitat conditions by establishing plantings consisting of short-statured trees and shrubs. This publication lists short-statured trees and shrubs native to Maryland that are commonly available from nurseries statewide. It also provides recommendations for establishing and managing early successional habitats. Authors: Daniel F. Pratson, Luke T. Macaulay, Kyle Magdziuk, and Ben Larson Title: Birds and Other Wildlife Need Small Trees, Shrubs, and Early Successional Habitats (EB-2025-0771).

Authors: Caroline DiGiovanni - Claire Cambardella - Amanda Rockler - Eric Buehl

arvesting Rainwater with Rain Barrels is an introductory fact sheet to the practice of harvesting rainwater, and its benefits, including stormwater management, water conservation, financial incentives, and practical reasons. Information on rain barrel assembly and installation can be found in follow-up publications. By Caroline DiGiovanni, Claire Cambardella, Amanda Rockler, and Eric Buehl; Title: Harvesting Rainwater with Rain Barrels (FS-2025-0769).