In This Issue

Ag Leasing Workshop P. 1

Ag Outlook/Policy Conf. P. 1

Beekeeping P. 2

Annie’s Project Classes P. 2

Kent, Cecil, QA’s Trainings P. 2

DE Master Gardener Workshop P. 2

Calendar P. 3

MD Buyer/Grower Expo P. 4

Cecil Co. Master Gardeners P. 4

Small Farm Course P. 4

Cecil Co. Agronomy Meeting P. 5

So. MD Hay/Pasture Conf. P. 5

Farmer Training/Cert. P. 5

Feeding The Future P.5

Become A Master Gardener P. 6

Women In Ag Conference P. 6

Volume 4, Issue 12 December 2014

AGLINE Newsletter—Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties

SMALL FARM SHORT SMALL FARM SHORT

COURSECOURSE

DECEMBER 3, 10, 17, 2014

6:00-8:30 p.m.

UME Kent County Office,

Chestertown, MD

Call 410-778-1661 to register.

$30/person.

MARYLANDMARYLAND FARM BUREAUFARM BUREAU CONVENTIONCONVENTION

DECEMBER 7DECEMBER 7--9, 20149, 2014

Clarion Resort Hotel, 101st

Street, Ocean City, MD.

Click here for the

convention schedule.

Upper Shore Ag Leasing Workshop

RE-SCHEDULED to DECEMBER 2nd!

Please be advised that we have re-scheduled the Ag Leasing Workshop. It will be held on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you have not pre-registered for this class, you have another opportunity to do so by calling 410-778-1661 or online at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/upper-shore-ag-leasing-workshop-tickets-13788115625 The cost will be $10 registration fee includes course materials and lunch.

On December 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., farmers in Cecil, Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties will have an opportunity to learn more about the agricultural land leasing is-sues at the upcoming Farm Leasing Workshop. The workshop is sponsored by Agriculture Law Education Initiative, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Department of Agricul-ture, and Maryland FarmLink and funding is provided by USDA-NIFA and the Northeast Exten-sion Risk Management Education Center.

This Leasing Workshop will take place at the Kent County Extension Office and will help land-lords and tenants better understand the leasing process, communication, dispute resolution process, and how to find and market available farmland.

“Agricultural leasing has become more complex over the past few years, landlords and tenants have seen increasing rent prices, a rising number of disputes between landlord and tenants, and other issues that can strain the landlord-tenant relationship” said Paul Goeringer, an Ex-tension Legal Specialist with the University of Maryland. “We want tenants and landlords to have successful leasing relationships that last for years,” Goeringer said.

The workshop will focus on legal issues related to developing a lease, tools that exist to aid in writing a lease and setting up a rental range, agricultural conflict resolution services available in Maryland, communicating with the other party, and an introduction to Maryland’s Farm-Link. The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Access Pro-grams. This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2012-49200-20031.

Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics 2014 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference

December 16, 2014 8:30 a.m. Registration

9:00 a.m. Welcome

9:15 a.m. Commodity Price Prospects for 2015, Kevin McNew, President, GeoGrain and

Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Agricultural & Resource Economics, Univ. of Maryland

10:00 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. Energy Policies for the Maryland Agriculture State Energy Programs for MD Agriculture, Dean Fisher, MD Energy Admin-

istration, Federal Energy Policies for Maryland Agriculture, Sebastien Houde,

Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland 11:30 a.m. 2014-15 Maryland Legislative Update, Colby Ferguson, MD Farm Bureau

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Farm Bill Farm Bill Update, Howard Leathers, Department of Agricultural and Resource

Economics, University of Maryland Conservation Compliance, Jon Hall, State

Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service

2:15 p.m. Agricultural Conservation Practices and Water Quality in Maryland Water Quality Trading, Susan Payne, Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland’s New Certainty Program, Colin Jones, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture

Agricultural BMPs and Cost-Sharing, Patrick Fleming and David Newburn,

Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland 3:30 p.m. Concluding Remarks

P A G E 2

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 2

Beekeeping 101 2015 Session Mike Embrey, University of Maryland Extension Apiculturist, will be offering a beginning beekeeping class at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland. The opening session will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 noon. Registration fee is $110.00, which includes the textbook, “The Beekeeper’s Handbook, Third Edition” by Diana Sam-mataro. If you have your own book, the fee will be $80.00. You will Learn….. > About bees, in general > About beekeeping equipment > How and where to set up and establish a hive (i.e. location, wind, etc.) > How to use a smoker > How to hive a package of bees > About “b” pests and diseases > About winterizing your bees There will be a total of seven (7) classes, the first five of which will be held on every other Saturday until April. The two final ses-sions will be held approximately the second week of August and the third week of September. These sessions will teach how to winterize your hives and how to protect your bees from diseases and pests. For registration, contact: Debby Dant, Wye Research and Education Center, P.O. Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658 410-827-8056 X115, ddant@umd.edu Registration deadline is January 10, 2015, in order to purchase books for each registrant. Please make check payable to: Uni-versity of Maryland. For program information, contact Mike Embrey, 410-827-8056 X148,

KENT CO. DELAWARE MASTER GARDENER WINTER 2014 WORKSHOPS Call UME Kent County office for registration form: 410-778-1661

HOLIDAY WREATHS: Dec. 10, 2014, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Delaware State U Outreach & Research Ctr., Smyrna, DE $15.99

AQUAPONICS: Jan. 14, 2015, 1:00—3:00 p.m., UD Paradee Center. FREE.

BRING HOME MY BEES (Challenges of a New Beekeeper): Jan. 28, 2014, 1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m., UD Paradee Center. FREE.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Feb. 11, 2015, 1:00-2:00 p.m., UD Paradee Center. FREE.

THE FLOWERS OF LONGWOOD GARDENS: Wed., Feb. 25, 2015, 1:00-2:00 p.m., U.D Paradee Center. FREE.

CECIL COUNTYCECIL COUNTY

MASTER GARDENER MASTER GARDENER

TRAININGTRAINING

The UME Cecil County office is

actively taking applications for

their 2015 MG Training that

will run from January 12th

to April 27th on Monday nights

from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.,

in the Cecil County Administra-

tive Building, 200 Chesapeake

Blvd., Elkton, MD. The cost is $200 per person. Contact the Uni-

versity of Maryland Extension, Cecil County Office to receive an

informational packet: 410-996-5280. Ask for Donna or Doris.

February 27, 2015, 8:00 a.m.-2 p.m. Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park, Centreville, MD,

Beef and shrimp lunch provided by Ag sponsors.

Nutrient Management Voucher training & recertification

Pesticide recertification.

Call 410-758-0166 to pre-register!

KENT CO. PRIVATE PESTICIDE & NUTRIENT

MANAGEMENT APPLICATOR

LICENSING

UME Kent Co. Office, 709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown, MD

Pre-registration required for these events: 410-778-1661

Nutrient Management Voucher Training

December 18, 2014, 10 a.m. to Noon

Private Pesticide Applicator Training

January 8, 2015, 6:30 to 8;30 p.m.

Private Pesticide Applicator Exam

January 22, 2015, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

CECIL CO. TRAININGSCECIL CO. TRAININGS Private Pesticide Review

November 18, 5-6:30 p.m.

Cecil County Administrative Building

200 Chesapeake Blvd., Ste. #1500

Elkton, MD 21921

Private Pesticide Test

November 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Cecil County Administrative Building

200 Chesapeake Blvd., Ste. #1500

Elkton, MD 21921

Bring photo I.D., calculator and pencils.

Pre-register by calling 410-996-5280.

Annie's Project Classes ~ offered at 7 locations for 2015. Click on the location below for more information for that site. Accomack County, VA Baltimore County, MD Cecil County, MD Delaware, Howard County, MD MidShore, MD and

Southern Maryland The cost of the course including meals and materials is $75. For more information call 410-758-0166 or send an email to vgc@umd.edu .

Registration deadline is January 1, 2015. Cancellations made prior to 1/1/15 will be refunded in full; cancellations made after that date will not be refunded. Space is limited. If you require special assistance to attend the classes please contact the site at least two weeks prior. Register here.

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 2 P A G E 3

NOVEMBER 2014: November 25… Farm Bill Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Chesapeake Col-lege.

November 25… Private Pesticide Test, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Cecil County Administra-tive Bldg., 200 Chesapeake Blvd., #1500, Elkton, MD 21921. Bring photo ID, a calculator and a few pencils.

November 27, 28… UME offices closed in observance of Thanksgiving Holiday.

DECEMBER 2014

December 2… Ag Leasing Workshop, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., UME Kent Office, 709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown, MD. Cost $10. Pre-registration required. Must pre-register by calling 410-778-1661 or online at:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/upper-shore-ag-leasing-workshop-tickets-13788115625

December 2… Grain Marketing Meeting, 6:30 a.m., Sudlersville Methodist Church Hall, 103 N. Church St., Sudlersville, MD. $10 breakfast.

December 2… Farmer Training & Certification, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. ($20) “Operations With Pastured Animals and Cropland”, UME, Howard County Office. 12/2 & 4 - training; 11 - exam. Call local Extension Office for registration information.

December 3.. Small Farm Short Course 6:00-8:30 p.m. Open to anyone interested in farming. UME Kent County Office, Chestertown, MD Call 410-778-1661 to register. $30/person.

December 3...LEAD Maryland Foundation’s "Image of Agriculture: Ag Evolution, Food Revolution" Symposium . The event features key-note speakers Celebrity Chef Bryan Voltaggio, and USDA Under Secre-tary Michael Scuse. Please register at the following address: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/image-of-agriculture-ag-evolution-food-revolution-registration-11864933335?aff=eac2

December 4th… Poultry Growers Meeting. Tilghman Terrace, Centreville, MD. Agenda: Complete NOI for MDE, Presentation: Winter Ventilation. Bring your CNMP, Nutrient Management Plan and Soil and Water Conservation Plan. Call to Register: 410-758-0166. For more infor-mation contact Jenny Rhodes: jrhodes@umd.edu.

December 7-9…Maryland Farm Bureau Convention, Ocean City, MD. Click here for the convention schedule.(Dec. 6 & 7 - Young Farmers & Women’s Retreat)

December 10… Small Farm Short Course 6:00-8:30 p.m. Open to anyone interested in farming. UME Kent County Office, Chestertown, MD Call 410-778-1661 to register. $30/person

December 16… Grain Marketing Meeting, 6:30 a.m., Sudlersville Methodist Church Hall, 103 N. Church St., Sudlersville, MD. $10 breakfast.

December 16… 2014 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Double Tree Hotel, Annapolis, MD. (details on Page 1)

December 17… Small Farm Short Course 6:00-8:30 p.m. Open to anyone interested in farming. UME Kent County Office, Chestertown, MD Call 410-778-1661 to register. $30/person.

December 18… Nutrient Management Voucher Training, 10 a.m. to Noon, UME Kent Co., 709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown. Call 410-778-1661 to pre-register.

JANUARY 2015: January 7… Poultry Mortality Composting Short Course and Demonstra-tion, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Poultry Research Center, UMES, Prin-cess Anne, MD. Call local Extension Office for reservation form. Cost: $40 (covers refreshments, lunch and materials) Contact: Tina Scites, UMD, 301-405-1198 or tscites@umd.edu

January 8... Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Kent Co., 6:30-8:30 p.m., UME Kent Co., 709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown. Call 410-778-1661 to pre-register.

January 12-15...Delaware Ag Week http://sites.udel.edu/delawareagweek/

January 14… Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference, Delaware State Fair-grounds, Harrington

January 20… Farmer Training & Certification, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ($35 includes lunch on first day) “Crop Operations Using Manure & Fertilizer”, Wye Research & Education Center, Queenstown, MD Snow date Jan. 23 & Feb. 2—Exam (snow date of Feb. 5. Call local Extension Office for registration information.

January 21… Winter Extension Agronomy Meeting - Cecil County, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Calvert Grange, 2357 Telegraph Rd., Rising Sun, MD. Call Donna or Doris at 410-996-5280.

January 22...Private Pesticide Applicator Exam, Kent Co., 6:30-8:30 p.m., 10 a.m. to Noon, UME Kent Co., 709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown. Call 410-778-1661 to pre-register.

CALENDARCALENDAR

February 28 … Save the date.

Maryland Small Ruminant Expo Frederick Co. 4-H Camp & Activities Center,

Frederick, MD. Contact Susan Schoenian Sheep & goat Specialist, UME.

sschoen@umd.edu

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICYINCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY The weather closing policy for Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s Extension programs is: “If coun-ty schools are closed, Extension programs will not be conducted. If our respective County Gov-ernments are closed the Extension offices will be closed as well and all UME programs will be cancelled.

2015 DELMARVA DAIRY DAY

Save the date: Feb. 26, 2015 Hartly Fire Hall

9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

WOMEN IN AG CONFERENCE February 12-13, 2015

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover, DE

Register here:

http://www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag/2015-

conference

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 2 P A G E 4

Maryland Buyer - Grower Expo

January 22, 2014 The Maryland Department of Agriculture would

like to invite you to the 2014 Maryland Buyer -

Grower Expo on January 22 at the Navy - Marine

Corps. Stadium – “N” Room in Annapolis, MD. The

purpose of this expo is to connect MD growers, pro-

ducers, and processors with buyers from grocery

retailers, restaurants, schools, and other venues.

The event is set up as a trade show, where growers,

producers, and processors are each provided a table

to display their business information and products.

Products from past events have ranged from fruits

and vegetables to dairy, meats, specialty foods, sea-

food, and wine. Registration is available through

the below links. Please be sure to select the link

that applies to your organization.

The registration deadline is January 7, 2014 to

be included in the directory. Over 500 copies of the

Buyer - Grower Expo directory will be printed and

distributed, as well as a PDF version being placed

on our web site.

(Please note there is a fee for growers, producers

and processors to exhibit. Registration fee $40.)

Additional information on the event will be posted

at www.marylandsbest.net. Please contact Stone

Slade at 410-841-5779 or stone.slade@maryland.gov

Maryland/Delaware Forage Council

Southern MD Hay & Pasture

Conference

January 15, 2014

Make plans to attend the Southern Maryland Hay &

Forage Conference, on January 15, 2014, at the

Baden Volunteer Fire Department, Brandywine, MD

Topics will be presented covering all aspects of hay and

pasture production. The programs will address key is-

sues and concerns facing hay and pasture producers.

The conferences also features displays and exhibits by

numerous agribusinesses. Attendees will be able to ob-

tain information on seed, fertilizer, equipment, fencing,

etc. needed for hay and pasture production and manage-

ment.

Registration fee: $15 before January 10 and $20 after

January10; contact St. Mary’s Extension Office, 301-475

-4485. Detailed program information is also available

through local County Extension offices and NRCS/Soil

Conservation District offices in Maryland.

Small Farm Course Offered December 3 to December 17, 2014

CONTACT: 410-778-1661 UME Kent County Office will offer a “Small Farm

Short Course” to current and potential owners of

small farms and anyone else interested in learning

the basics of agriculture. Three 2-1/2 hour long ses-

sions will cover Introduction to Agriculture, Farm

Enterprise and Business Management, Animal Sci-

ence and Livestock Management, and Soils and

Crop Production.

The cost of the class is $30.00 per person and

includes all course materials.

The short course will be offered at the Extension

Office in Chestertown, MD, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30

p.m. on three consecutive Wednesday evenings,

starting on December 3, 2014 and ending December

17, 2014. This class is open to anyone interested in

farming. To register please call (410) 778-1661

by November 25th. If you need special assistance

please contact the office by November 25th.

University of Maryland Extension ~ Cecil County

Winter Extension Agronomy Meeting January 21, 2015

Calvert Grange, 2357 Telegraph Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911 Registration required! Call the Cecil County Office and ask for Donna or Doris at 410-996-5280. The cost is $5 per person,

and registration check in starts at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. Private pesticide, Nutrient Manage-

ment and Nutrient Applicator credits available. Program runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

FARMER TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

Winter 2014-2015

“Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan” The Farmer Training and Certification course provides an opportunity for farmers to learn how to write nutrient management plans for their own operations. As a producer, you have firsthand knowledge of your own crops, animals, and equipment. Who better to write your nutrient management plan than you? This course will teach you how to do it!

You will receive: A comprehensive training binder – the training binder will be used during the class, serve as a reference during the exam,

and as a valuable resource when you write future plans for your operation. Certification – producers who pass the exam will be certified by MDA to write their own nutrient management plans. Voucher training credits – this class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements. You will have the opportunity to: Complete a nutrient management plan for your operation that meets MDA regulations. In order to work on your own plan, you need to begin gathering information now. You will need a map or sketch

of your operation, soil tests that are less than two years old, and a recent manure analysis (if manure is applied to your land). Contact your county Extension office if you need assistance with this.

Registration Information Space is limited and registrations are accepted on a first-come basis; therefore, register early.

Paid registrations must be received 10 days before the first class. For more information, please call 410-841-5959. Classes will be cancelled if there is lack of interest.

Evening Classes 5:30 – 9 PM ($20)

Day Classes 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM ($35, includes lunch on first day)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–— Keep this portion for your records Return this portion with your payment. Please register me for class # ____________. Enclosed find my payment for the class. Name: Mailing Address: County: City: State: Zip: Code: Telephone: E-mail: Special accommodations needed?

Submit a separate form for each person. Make check payable to Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Mail completed form and payment to: Nutrient Management Program, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S Truman

Pkwy, Annapolis, Maryland 21401

#1 Operations with Pastured

Animals and Cropland

University of Maryland Exten-

sion – Howard County Office

December 2 & 4 (training), 11 (exam) and

16 (plan writing)

#2 Crop Operations using

Manure and Fertilizer

University of Maryland Wye

Research and Education Center

January 20 (snow date January 23) and Feb. 2

(exam and plan writing) (snow date February 5)

#3 Crop Operations using

Manure and Fertilizer

University of Maryland Exten-

sion – Washington County Office

February 10 (snow date February 13) and Feb. 23

(exam and plan writing) (snow date February 26)

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 2 P A G E 5

FEEDING THE FUTURE The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will serve as a supporting sponsor for an upcoming Washington Post forum entitled “Feeding the Future” on Wednesday, December 3rd. The event will con-vene agriculture experts, policy makers and business leaders who are working on innovative methods and cutting-edge technologies that will define the farms of the future. The forum’s featured speakers will also discuss what’s working and how agricultural growth here in the U.S. can support the global need for food. Please see the attached invitation for event specifics including how to register. Additionally, the fo-rum will be live-streamed at the following address: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-live/wp/2014/11/07/feeding-the-world/

The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression. The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Access Programs. La Universidad de Maryland es una institución con Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleo y con Igualdad de Acceso a Programas.

Contact your local UME Agriculture Educator: Cecil County ~ Doris Behnke at 410-996-5280 or dbehnke@umd.edu

Kent County ~ Contact 410-778-1661 Queen Anne’s County ~ Jennifer Rhodes at 410-758-0166 or jrhodes@umd.edu

University of Maryland Extension

Kent County

709 Morgnec Road

Chestertown, MD 21620

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 157

CHESTERTOWN, MD

MASTER GARDENER TRAININGSMASTER GARDENER TRAININGS “Become A Master Gardener”

February 12 - April 4, 2015

Thursday evenings: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday mornings: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Chesapeake College Campus

Questions/registration, contact: Molly Garrett

mgarret1@umd.edu

14TH ANNUAL WOMEN IN AG14TH ANNUAL WOMEN IN AG

CONFERENCECONFERENCE

FEBRUARY 13, 2015

Dover, DE

Save the date! Register here: http://www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag/2015-

conference

ATTENTION

The toll free number for the University of Maryland’s Home & Garden

Information Center will no longer be in service

effective Dec. 22, 2014. Contact your local Extension Office for assistance.