UMES Extension’s
Small Farm Conference
SAVE THE DATE
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension’s Small Farm Conference returns for its 23rd edition on Oct. 23-24, 2026, to the campus in Princess Anne.
The conference equips farmers and landowners in Maryland with tools and strategies to increase farm profitability.
The UMES Extension event builds, revises, and expands program and outreach activities to appeal to and address individual as well as societal needs, emerging problems and concerns of target groups focusing on limited-resource, and new and beginning farmers.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 23rd Annual Small Farm Conference. Please check back for more details soon.
Highlights of 2025 Small Farm Conference
The 22nd Small Farm Conference featured three tracks:
- Non-traditional agriculture
- Business and marketing
- Ag research and trending topics
The conference included bus tours to three Eastern Shore farms and hands-on workshops.
Meet the 2025 Keynote Speaker
Tomia MacQueen, owner of of Wildflower Farm and founder of Dance for LIFE (Love, Inspiration, Faith and Empowerment), Gardening for LIFE and the Healing Waters Project in New Jersey, is the keynote speaker Friday, Oct. 24, at the UMES Extension’s Small Farm Conference in Salisbury, Maryland.
She is an educator (BA) of more than 20 years, a farmer and a master gardener specializing in edible gardens. She has been an edible gardens consultant for 17 years and in dance ministry for more than 15 years.
Wildflower Farm is one of three Black-owned certified organic farms in New Jersey. It produces specialty varieties such as callaloo, molokhia greens, heirloom tomatoes, sorghum and scotch bonnets. The farm also raises pasture, soy-free poultry and grass-fed lamb with a focus on humane husbandry and conservation. It holds workshops on sustainability.
MacQueen dedicates herself to closing food security gaps and imparting healthy habits, positive body image and community empowerment through farming, education and dance.
Meet our Sponsors/Vendors/Exhibitors
Notice of filming and photography.
A Look Back at 21st Small Farm Conference
