Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

Establishing a composting system at your house is a practical and economical way to handle your yard waste and many kitchen scraps. In Charles County, 20 percent of household waste is organic, compostable material that can be kept from the landfill. Compost improves the quality of soil in your planter boxes, garden, around trees, and your lawn — if you have these... you have a use for compost. Pre-registration required by August 24.

Charles County residents will have the opportunity to purchase a limit of two (2) barrels per Charles County household with a discount, while supplies last. Rain Barrels are 60 gallons in size and may be brown, green, gray, or terra cotta.

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).

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.

This one-day event convenes digital inclusion leaders, practitioners, and advocates from across the state to discuss critical issues, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions for bridging the digital divide in Maryland. This year's event will offer a dynamic lineup of speakers and panel discussions, with ample networking opportunities. A special Maryland Digital Equity Awards Ceremony will also be held to recognize individuals and organizations leading the charge for digital equity in Maryland.

Registration: Open July 1-24, 2024

Register through 4-H Online. Contestants will upload photos of their entries when they register for the contest in 4-H Online. No physical pieces will be submitted.

Age Divisions (age on January 1, 2024): Junior: ages 8-10 | Intermediate: ages 11-13 | Senior: ages 14-18

Classes: Fine Arts | Photography | Visual Arts

Virtual Art Show: All exhibits will be posted via a slide show on the UMD Horse Facebook page and on the UMD Horse Extension webpage. Award winners will be recognized in the slide show.

Program Objectives:

• Interact with professionals and increase awareness of various careers within the umbrella of One Health.
• Meet teens with similar interests in pursuing careers in animal, environmental, and human health.
• Gain knowledge, understanding, and skills around career and college readiness.
• Network with professionals to identify opportunities for career development in One Health-related fields.

Audience:
Youth ages 13+ (as of Jan 1) with a spark in animal sciences, environmental sciences, healthy living, and interested in learning about One Health careers.
Participation Fee: $5.00 per youth

Registration: Limited, closes June 26, 2024

Lunch provided

For reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, contact Kevin Huang, khuang14@umd.edu, or (301) 405-8105 at least two weeks before the event.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Event: Pasture Walk at Western Maryland Research and Education Center
Date: July 23, 2024  | Tuesday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: 18330 Keedysville Rd., Keedysville, MD 21756  |  Cost: Free
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension and NRCS for an educational pasture walk at the University of Maryland Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, MD (Washington county).

Extension educators are working on an ongoing mixed-species grazing management study utilizing annual forages as a means to extend the grazing season and will discuss grazing and parasite management, mixed-species grazing, and strategies for working annual forages into a pasture system. A variety of warm-season annual mixtures have been established at the reserach station, discussion will also include options for annual mixtures and pros/cons for a variety of annual forage species and mixtures.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

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.

Registration: https://go.umd.edu/pw-July

Saltwater intrusion represents one of the foremost challenges related to climate change facing farmers in coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic region. SALT, a two-day conference focused on saltwater intrusion and sea level rise in coastal agroecosystems, will be held June 11 and 12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Md., and hopes to address what is happening in academics and on the ground to face it.

SALT stands for “Salinity-Affected Lands in Transition.” The conference will feature expert speakers discussing saltwater intrusion and sea level rise, case studies of areas across the country and hemisphere, environmental justice, coastal farming, ghost forests, adaptation solutions and mitigation strategies.

“The SALT Conference will bring together practitioners, policy-makers, and scientists to discuss issues related to sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion across the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. I am excited to share some of our lessons learned from projects in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia (funded by USDA-NIFA, NFWF, and the NSF) and learn from others who are facing similar challenges across the U.S. and the world,” said Dr. Kate Tully, a University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources researcher investigating saltwater intrusion on the Delmarva Peninsula. “The SALT conference will provide a platform for information sharing, partnership building, and networking. I'm hoping for a great turnout.”

This conference highlights research being conducted by the University of Maryland (UMD) Agroecology Lab, the University of Delaware (UD) and George Washington University (GWU) on the Delmarva Peninsula, which comprises the coastal areas of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The partners have been researching the extent and economic impact of saltwater intrusion in the region and developing potential mitigation strategies for land affected by saltwater intrusion. The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology has been partnering with researchers from these institutions on outreach and stakeholder engagement for the project.

This research and conference are supported by grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation. People can register for the conference online at go.umd.edu/SALT. Registration is open until June 3, 2024.

This conference is complemented by a podcast series called Delmarva’s Invisible Flood. The three-episode series features conversations with the researchers at UMD, UD and GWU who are working on the ground to test and implement mitigation strategies, map saltwater intrusion’s extent, and deduce its impact on society. The podcast series can be found at hughescenter.podbean.com.

Key Speakers:
Equine Extension Specialist: Dr. Amy Burk
With a wealth of experience in equine health and management, our equine extension specialist will delve into the unique needs of horses in a rotational grazing environment. From grazing behavior to nutritional requirements, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to ensure the well-being of their equine companions.

Forage Extension Specialist: Dr. Amanda Grev
Our forage specialist will share her expertise on cultivating and maintaining high-quality pasture for horses. From grass species selection to rotational system management, attendees will learn essential techniques for fostering forage that supports optimal equine health.

Howard County Extension Agriculture Agent: Nathan Glenn
With years of comprehensive experience in agriculture education, and a unique understanding of farm economics, our local county ag agent can help farm owners learn when pasture management techniques can help with the bottom line expenses associated with horse keeping, especially on smaller acreages.

Event Highlights:
- Comprehensive overview of rotational grazing principles and benefits for horse owners.
- Practical guidance on designing and implementing rotational grazing systems tailored to equine needs.
- Strategies for pasture rotation scheduling, stocking rates, and fencing design to maximize forage utilization and minimize pasture degradation.
- Q&A sessions with our expert speakers, providing attendees with the opportunity to address specific concerns and gain personalized advice.

Whether you are looking for additional tips to improve what you already have in place or are new to rotational grazing, this educational event offers invaluable knowledge and resources to help you unlock the full potential of your pastures and promote the well-being of your horses. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow horse owners and gain insights from leading experts in the field of equine and forage management. Join us and take the first step towards a healthier, more sustainable approach to pasture management for your equine companions.