Environment & Natural Resources

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).

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; 301-226-7581).

It may be chilly weather as winter approaches but Master Gardeners will teach you how to cultivate and grow fresh herbs in containers this winter and in your garden next spring. You'll also learn specifics about a variety of common and uncommon herbs.

Join the Harford County Master Gardeners to learn about plant additions to your fall garden and how to cultivate them. These include garlic, the toothache plant and saffron (yes you can grow saffron rather than spend a lot on a grocery store purchase). Edible plants that can be mingled in among your landscaping, not just your backyard garden, will be discussed. Come learn about these double duty edibles. 

Join the Harford County Master Gardeners to learn the basics of making and using compost by turning kitchen scraps, garden waste and other organic material into "black gold" without spending a dime! 

Bring your questions and leave with valuable information that will help enrich your soil and benefit the environment.  

An insect festival hosted by the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland. The event will feature many organizations including the UMD Insect Zoo, UME HGIC Faculty Specialist Madeline Potter with the nocturnal insects, and the Calvert County UME Master Gardeners with the garden friends & foes. Join us for a day of buggy fun as we explore and get creative with the world of insects. Enjoy activities for all ages, meet community groups who love bugs, and have fun roaming the garden, galleries, and indoor classrooms as you explore and have fun with insects! Celebrate these invertebrates and all the wonderful wildlife that depends on them.

Flowers can be picked, pickled, baked, and candied.  Learn the uses of flowers in contemporary and historic culinary practices.  

The first inaugural conference of its kind, the 2024 Cultivating Innovation in Maryland's Agriculture and Technology Conference has been designed to empower farmers and other agriculture industry stakeholders by providing in-depth knowledge of the latest and most promising technologies transforming the agricultural sector. By embracing cutting-edge agriculture technologies, farmers can significantly boost yields, enhance efficiency, and ultimately achieve greater profitability.

Cultivating Next-Gen Agritech Innovation with a Wide Selection of Conference Topics

The conference agenda boasts a diverse range of topics, including:

- Introduction to Technology: Gain a foundational understanding of the role technology is playing in modern agriculture practices when it comes to streamlining operations and improving productivity
-Uses and Applicability: Learn about the practical applications of technology across various farming and agriculture sectors.
-Data Management & Analytics: Discover best practices and explore the ways data is being used to improve crop yields and efficiency for a more sustainable and profitable future.
-Resource Management: Learn how drones, GIS, water management, precision farming, yield monitors, and other tech are being used successfully.
-Current Implementations: Hear first-hand experiences from early adopters who are already utilizing these hardware and software technologies in their fields.
-Future Outlook: Get a glimpse into the exciting future of agriculture technology, with insights into upcoming innovations and advancements expected in the next 3-5 years.

This conference is ideal for farmers from all sectors of agriculture, agriculture-related companies, University of Maryland Extension faculty, and USDA and other government agency workers.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow farmers, industry professionals, and experts in the field. Together, let's cultivate innovation and drive Maryland's agriculture sector toward a more technologically advanced and prosperous future.

Mark your calendar and start planning your garden now! Winners receive prizes and bragging rights! This event will include:

Taste testing different tomato varieties
Demonstrations and interactive displays
Celebration of tomatoes!

Categories judged:

Largest (size and weight)
Ugliest (misshapen)
Best tasting
Cherry (10)

FREE to participate.

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact the University of Maryland Extension at 301-334-6960 by Aug. 1, 2024.

Visit research and demonstration plots and get updates on weed management issues in the region.