Paid

Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting 

Keedysville, MD – The University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research and Education Center is excited to announce the annual Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026. This valuable event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756. 

Join us for a comprehensive day dedicated to the commercial fruit industry. This meeting provides commercial fruit growers with the latest updates in pesticide and nutrient management, regulatory changes, and recent research. Sessions are led by industry experts and University of Maryland Extension specialists, offering practical guidance and new insights to support successful fruit production. Attending this meeting counts toward recertification for continuing education credits (CEUs) for individuals holding a current and valid license in Maryland and West Virginia for Pesticide Recertification Training and Maryland Nutrient Management Voucher. 

The cost to attend the workshop is $40* before February 5, 2026, and $45* thereafter. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and educational handouts. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow industry professionals. For more information and to register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/WMFM 

*There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite to pay by credit card.

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: Downloadable PDF Fruit Meeting registration form

Agenda (subject to change)

MORNING SESSION

• 8:30 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. - Introductions & Program Overview
  Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, UME, WMREC, Keedysville, MD.
• 9:10 a.m. - Nutrient Management Update & Recertification
  Bryan Harris, Implementation Coordinator, NMP, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 9:40 a.m. - Pesticide Regulatory Update & Recertification 
  Rob Hofstetter, Program Manager, Pesticide Regulation Section, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 10:10 a.m. - Break & Visit Displays
• 10:30 a.m. - Connecting the Dots Between Winter Injury and Rapid Apple Decline
  Dr. Lisa Tang, Research Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 10:55 a.m. -  From Lab to Field: Understand Root Architecture in Drought Responses of Apple Rootstocks 
  Dr. Brett Shelly, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 11:20 p.m. - Orchard and Nursery Trials with Our Patented Maryland Apple Trees - Speeding Up the Process
  Dr. Chris Walsh, Emeritus Professor, Horticulture, PSLA, UMD
• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Visit Displays

AFTERNOON SESSION

• 1:00 p.m. - Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) & Maryland Apple Promotion Board Update
  Chuck Schuster, MSHS Executive Director; Bill Gardenhour, Apple Promotion Board Update, Gardenhour Orchards, Smithsburg, MD
• 1:15 p.m. - Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis and its Impact in Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Fields 
  Dr. Mengjun Hu, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology or Samantha Ann Hasselhoff, Research Graduate Assistant, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 1:40 p.m.-  The Effect of Fumigants on the Inoculum of Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis Species 
  Dr. Galvin Alonzo Ortiz, Post-Doctoral Candidate, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 2:10 p.m. -  Strategies for Managing Pome Fruit Rots 
  Dr. Tami Collum, Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 2:35 p.m. - Break
  2:55 p.m. - Slug and SWD Management Reminders
  Dr. Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, UMD
• 3:25 p.m. - Updates on Plum Curculio and Lepidopteran Decision Support Tools and Management Tactics
  Brian Ruether, Research Scientist and Tracy Leskey, Director/Research Leader, Entomology USDA
• 3:55 p.m. - Discussion Questions, Comments, Pesticide and Nutrient Management Recertification, Program Evaluation, and Adjourn
   

This 10-week course will be offered in an online format.

The class will meet on Tuesday evenings, from 7 to 8:30 pm, from February 10 through April 14, 2026 online.

Students will complete at-your-own pace homework on the course website on campus.extension.org

Topics covered will include business planning, marketing, crop production, livestock husbandry, soil health, integrated pest management, food safety, regulations and certifications, acquiring land and zoning, specialty crops, organic production, and urban agriculture.

More detail about what will be covered can be found in the course syllabus: https://bit.ly/45M4bHj

Course registration is $60 plus eventbrite fees. Two people from the same farm/family may attend the course under one registration.

Learn more and register here: https://go.umd.edu/BFSC2026

Registration includes morning refreshments and a hot lunch.  Guest speakers include regional experts and University of Maryland faculty covering topics such as:

• Ag law and regulatory update
• Best practices for managing slugs
• Weed management updates
• Regional ag agency and agribusiness updates
• MDA pesticide and nutrient management updates

Topics satisfy requirements for Maryland pesticide and nutrient management renewal.  

Pennsylvania pesticide credits also available.

Each year, the University of Maryland Extension agriculture programs from across the state organize educational sessions related to agronomy and fruit, vegetable and forage production for growers and other agriculture professionals to benefit the community. These sessions help our farmers and agriculture community keep current with up-to-date information about timely agriculture-related topics. 2025 pest management review and a look ahead to 2026, pesticide regulation and nutrient management updates from MDA, the latest agronomic research updates, planning for the farm's next generation, wheat management, and an update on new technologies. Nutrient management certification credits, private applicator pesticide credits will be available.

Grain farmers and ag professionals are encouraged to join University of Maryland Extension for this educational program focusing on production agronomy. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. and the program starts at 9:30 a.m. Guest speakers include regional experts and University of Maryland faculty covering topics such as: ag law and regulatory updates; best practices for managing slugs; weed management updates; orchardgrass fertility and variety trials; regional ag agency and agribusiness updates; MDA pesticide and nutrient management updates; and more!

The meeting will be held on January 21, 2026 at the Hereford Fire Hall- Summit Manor at 510 Monkton Rd., Monkton, MD 21111. Numerous commercial displays and representatives will be there to discuss new products and plans for the upcoming year.

This meeting serves as Recertification for Maryland private pesticide applicators and offers recertification credits for Pennsylvania recertification. Also, producers can attend specific presentations to renew their Maryland nutrient applicator’s voucher.

The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. to visit commercial exhibits and refreshments. The presentations begin at 8:25 am and will end with lunch at noon.
Cost of the event is $25.00 if you pre-register. The meeting location is conveniently located about 1 mile east of I-83 via Mt. Carmel Rd. and right onto York Rd.
You can get more information, or if you need special accommodations, please call the Baltimore County Office of the University of Maryland Extension at our phone number 410-887-8090.

Event:  Central Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 22, 2026  |   Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Mt. Airy Fire Company Activities Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Frederick Office at 301-600-3576. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-600-3576.
For more information or to register, contact Nathan Glenn at (410) 313-2704 (nglenn@umd.edu), Kelly Nichols at (301) 226-7954 (kellyn@umd.edu), and Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/cmdforage

Event:  Western Maryland Forage Conference
Date: January 21, 2026  |   Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  |  Cost:  Early bird Admission: $25; Early bird Admission & MDFC Membership: $45; After January 12, 2026 - Regular Admission: $30; Regular Admission & MDFC Membership: $50
Location: Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, 178 Springs Road, Grantsville, MD 21536
Description: Topics include native warm-season grasses and more to be announced. Doors open at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting at 9 am. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. Nutrient management and pesticide applicator credits will be offered. Registration is required, with early bird pricing available through January 12th. Discounted Maryland-Delaware Forage Council membership is available with the purchase of a ticket. If you would like to pay by check or cash, please call the UME-Garrett County Office at 301-334-6960. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at 301-334-6960.
For more information or to register, contact Willie Lantz (301) 334-6960 (wlantz@umed.edu), or Amanda Grev at (301) 226-7575 (agrev@umd.edu)
Registration: http://go.umd.edu/wmdforage

You can join us in-person at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center in Clarksville, or online via Zoom!

Join your fellow MGs for a fun night of festive watercolor! Signature Member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and fellow MG Betty Walke will guide us through creating a beautiful watercolor holly branch.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Stephanie Pully at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616 by December 4, 2025.

Objective

Annie’s project is designed to empower women in agriculture, provide information on farm management, and build local networks throughout the state. The target audience is women with a passion for business, agriculture, and involvement in the farm operation.

Key Principles:

*Teach all five areas of agricultural risk: financial, human resources, legal, marketing, & production.*Invite local professionals to serve as guest instructors where possible. *Allocate half of the class time to discussion and hands-on activities.*Provide unbiased, researched based information.*Create a learning environment where mentoring is spontaneous.

Core Values:

*Safe Harbor - all questions or situations are welcomed for sharing and open discussion.*Connection - to each other and to professionals introduced to them in class.*Discovery - the moment when something makes sense where before it did not.*Guided Intelligence - at any one time there is a woman in the audience who knows more about the subject being presented than the instructor and is willing to share her experience.

FSA Borrower Training - Annie's Project is approved for FSA Borrower Training.

For questions visit the website http://extension.umd.edu/annies-project, email sdill@umd.edu or call 410-822-1244.

See tickets for individual class locations and site-specific details. This is a hybrid class that will be offered concurrently - In person in Centreville MD or online via zoom.

MidShore Maryland

6 Sessions, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

February 18, 2026 - April 1, 2026 (Wednesdays)(NO CLASS FEBRUARY 25)

Location: Queen Anne's County Extension Office

505 Railroad Ave # 4, Centreville, MD 21617

Virtual

6 sessions, 6:30pm-8:30pm

February 18, 2026 - April 1, 2026 (Wednesdays)(NO CLASS FEBRUARY 25)

Location: Live via Zoom, approximately 1 hour of time out of class on reading and assignments

F SA Borrower Training - Optional

As part of the USDA Direct Loan Program, some applicants may be required to receive Borrower Training. Annie's Project is approved for borrower training and includes two steps: 1) Attend an Annie's Project class with satisfactory attendance, participation and discussion. 2) Complete a farm management workbook and return it to the reviewer.

More information here

University 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 the UMD Extension office two weeks prior to the event at 410-758-0166 or 410-822-1244.