{"id":1823,"date":"2022-01-19T15:25:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T19:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/?page_id=1823"},"modified":"2026-05-04T14:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T18:29:00","slug":"small-farms-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farms-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Farms Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.rounded-style img{\n  border-radius: 15%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"min-height:271px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"199\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-7461 size-large\" alt=\"University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension's Small Farm Program is based at its Research, Extension and Teaching Farm\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/11\/TGD-SMALLFARMS-cover-1024x199.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-10 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#788aa1\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-5d790bfe2489d69af5ca6023cb0fab49 wp-block-paragraph\">Small Farm Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Small Farm Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension provides outreach and educational opportunities to equip farmers, gardeners and landowners with the knowledge and skills needed to operate farms successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines small family farms as those with a gross cash farm income of less than $350,000. In Maryland, more than 75 percent of farms fall under this category and a majority report income of less than $100,000, according to the USDA census.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While our experts focus on small and beginning farms in Maryland, our program is open to all farmers and landowners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Small Farm Program is based at the 382-acre University of Maryland Eastern Shore&#8217;s Research, Extension and Teaching Farm on Stewart Neck Road in Princess Anne, south of the UMES campus. The farm also is home to an apiary and agricultural research projects by the university&#8217;s faculty, and to research test plots for both row and alternative crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The teaching farm specializes in alternative crops, value-added opportunities, small-scale production and best management practices. Program activities are conducted throughout Maryland including on the Eastern Shore and in the Southern Maryland region, where our experts are based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What We Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile rounded-style\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Small Farm Program focuses on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Resources: <\/strong>Connecting farmers to federal, state and local agricultural programs and services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Business Management: <\/strong>Training farmers on farm business management and marketing strategies as well as maximizing productivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alternative Crops: <\/strong>Introducing farmers to alternative crops, specialty herbs and other enterprise opportunities along with horticultural production practices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outreach and educational programs are offered through informational meetings, workshops, farm field demonstrations, conferences and farm bus tours. Our experts also conduct individual farm visits to offer general on-farm assessments, referrals and provide technical assistance where applicable.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/12\/TGD-SMALLFARMS-102425-1542.jpg\" alt=\"UMES Alternative Crops Specialist Dr. Nadine Burton talks about options for local farmers.\" class=\"wp-image-7516 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/12\/TGD-SMALLFARMS-102425-1542.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/12\/TGD-SMALLFARMS-102425-1542-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/12\/TGD-SMALLFARMS-102425-1542-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signature Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Ag_Showcase_noYr_RGB-300x246.png\" alt=\"Logo of Ag Showcase\" class=\"wp-image-6901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Ag_Showcase_noYr_RGB-300x246.png 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Ag_Showcase_noYr_RGB-1024x840.png 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Ag_Showcase_noYr_RGB-768x630.png 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Ag_Showcase_noYr_RGB.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/ag-showcase\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/ag-showcase\/\">UMES Ag Showcase<\/a> <\/strong>brings together more than 200 farmers and farm service providers each August, offering an opportunity for producers to learn the latest in research and results for smart-farming agronomy, technology and equipment, along with crop varieties.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-300x236.png\" alt=\"Logo of Small Farm Conference\" class=\"wp-image-6830\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-300x236.png 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-1024x807.png 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-768x605.png 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-1536x1210.png 1536w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/08\/logo_Small_Farm_Conference_v4_RGB-1-2048x1613.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UMES Extension\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farm-conference\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farm-conference\/\">Small Farm Conference<\/a>, held each fall, equips family farmers and landowners in Maryland with tools and strategies to increase profitability and promote sustainability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farms-program\/events\/\">upcoming events<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/extension-photos-videos\/\">see photos of past events<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In the News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/gardeners-explore-herb-growing-and-making-products-with-series\/\">Gardeners: Explore herb growing and making products with series<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/the-year-in-review-a-look-back-at-the-best-of-2025-umes-extension\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/the-year-in-review-a-look-back-at-the-best-of-2025-umes-extension\/\">The year in review, a look back at the best of 2025 UMES Extension<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/donation-will-fund-umes-farm-incubator-training-program\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/donation-will-fund-umes-farm-incubator-training-program\/\">Donation will fund UMES farm incubator training program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/how-alley-cropping-can-boost-farm-profits\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/how-alley-cropping-can-boost-farm-profits\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/magazine\/ingenuity-2026-growing-farmer-profits\/\">Growing Farmer Profits: 3 Ways UMES Extension Teaches Value Addition to Family Farm<\/a>s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/berran-rogers-2\/\">Berran Rogers<\/a><br>Small Farm Program Coordinator<br>Phone: 410-651-7352<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:blrogers@umes.edu\">blrogers@umes.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Crystal J. Sankar<\/strong><br>Program Management Specialist<br>Phone: 410-651-7351<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:cjsankar@umes.edu\">cjsankar@umes.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/we-are-extension\/\">meet our team<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Small Farm Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension provides outreach and educational opportunities to equip farmers, gardeners and landowners with the knowledge and skills needed to operate farms successfully. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines small family farms as those with a gross cash farm income of less than $350,000. In Maryland,&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farms-program\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">Small Farms Program<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"{\"coblocks-shape-divider-117112019614\":{\"shapeHeight\":{\"height\":39},\"backgroundHeight\":{\"height\":20}}}","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[28],"class_list":["post-1823","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1823\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}