Animal Science Meetings

Horses

Equine educational programs are offered throughout the year. They are primarily focused on pasture management and equine nutrition.

Check out our upcoming programs 

Poultry

Poultry educational programs are offered throughout the year.

Check out our upcoming programs

Forage

Event: Ranching for Profit Workshop (RFP)
Date: October 24 & 25, 2024  | Thursday & Friday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, MD 21541  |  Cost: General admission-Full workshop $150.00 (both days), General admission-Thursday (10/24) $100.00, General admission-Friday (10/25) $100.00
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ranching-for-profit-workshop-md-2024-tickets-972429933107
Description: This Ranching for Profit workshop is designed for producers looking to transform their operation into a profitable business with less work and stress. Workshop attendees will dive deeper into the principles behind farm economics and increasing farm profitability, giving participants the tools and insights they need to improve their business.

Day 1 (Oct 24th): Three Secrets for Increasing Profits

• Setting a profit target and working backwards to achieve it
• Projecting profit or loss using the RFP 7-step profit planning model
• Using benchmarks to identify your profit drivers and find your "dead wood"
• Restructuring your operation for profitability

Day 2 (Oct 25th): Cattlemen vs. Grassmen - Economic Leverage of Grazing

• The value of cattle vs. the value of grass
• Stocking rate vs. carrying capacity
• Soil health is the foundation of ag business health
• Applying the 3 secrets for increasing profits into the 5 cell grazing principles

This 2-day workshop will be taught by Jordan Steele, one of the experts on the Ranching for Profit team and director of operations for Ranch Management Consultants. Jordan grew up on a cow-calf operation near Aladdin, WY before completing his Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wyoming. He worked for the Kansas Farm Management Association for over 7 years where he specialized in agricultural business recordkeeping, finanial analysis and interpretation, and income tax preparation for farmers and ranchers. Jordan attended his first RFP school in 2017 and was instantly hooked on how well the program delivery ties together the people, money, and production areas of farming and ranching.

The workshop will feature a small group approach with team and class discussions, case studies, videos, interactions, and direct application to the participants’ own situation to make for a fun and effective learning environment.

The event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. Lunch will be provided each day. If you have questions or need assistance please contact your local county Extension office or the Western Maryland Research and Education Center at 301-432-2767. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

This event is brought to you by University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, and American Farmland Trust. Thank you to our event partners!

University of Maryland Extension 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. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Ag Law

Event: Solar Visioning Info Session
Date: August 26, 2024  |  Monday
Time: 5:30-8:30 PM  |  Cost: Visioning Info Session is free to attend, but registration is required
Location: Chesapeake College, HEC 1000 College Circle, Wye Mills, MD 21679
Description: Residents of Queen Anne’s County are invited to attend an upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session to learn about utility-scale solar development and participate in facilitated discussions.

This session aims to educate the public on regional utility-scale solar development and provide a platform for community dialogue on various aspects of solar projects. The insights gathered from this community conversation will inform local leaders, government officials, and the research team about resident perceptions of solar development. The discussion will help shape the following:

• Community vision
• Comprehensive planning, including solar overlay maps
• Strategies for landowners to negotiate with solar developers
• Strategies for communities to negotiate with solar developers.

Your participation will help University of Maryland (UMD) Extension and public officials in understanding how to proactively engage communities in planning for solar energy land use. Recognizing that many rural landowners may be approached by developers, our goal is to enhance the solar siting process by incorporating the voices and priorities of local and county government and community members. A summary report will be provided to all participants later in the summer.

This event is organized in partnership with Queen Anne’s County Government, MDA’s Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service, UMD’s Agriculture Law and Education Initiative, and UMD Extension. UMD Extension provides Maryland residents with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research through the dissemination of unbiased research-based educational information. The upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit go.umd.edu/QASolar. Register by August 12, 2024 to secure a dinner meal and to receive a gift valued at $25 when you attend the meeting. We look forward to your participation in this important community event.

For more information, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Drew Schiavone (dschiavo@umd.edu; 301-432-2767).

Register for QA Solar

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Land in Maryland: Basic Legal Issues for All Landowners (ONLINE COURSE FOR 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://go.umd.edu/3ZSkv4r.