The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in partnership with Atlantic Tractor LLC hosted its third annual Ag Showcase on Aug. 16 for small- and large-scale farmers to get the latest information in equipment, operations technology and alternative crops.
“The main goal for us is showing the farmers at all levels the technology available to help them maximize their yields to be more profitable,” said Aaron Boggs, precision agriculture manager with Atlantic Tractor. “That’s what matters most to them.”
Atlantic Tractor displayed the latest in equipment and precision agriculture at its operations technology center and presented a demonstration session on seed and fungicide treatments for soybeans.
This year, UMES’ Small Farm Program opened the gates to its specialty and alternative crop areas in addition to the culinary and medicinal herb garden. Extension specialists were on hand to offer up information on best agricultural practices.
“We look forward to the event each year as a way of reconnecting with our partners and the people that we serve,” said Dr. Enrique Nelson Escobar, associate dean for UMES Extension. “A lot of effort is put into the event as an expression of the dedication of the UMES team.”
Vicki Vegis, owner and operator of North of Eden Farm, was among the nearly 150 attendees hoping to garner information applicable to their unique farming operations. The self-appointed “goat mom and lavender engineer” was a repeat attendee looking to find easier methods of cultivating and maintaining some 1,400 plants on her Eden, Maryland, farm.
“I was here a couple of years ago and it was excellent,” Vegis said. “I learned so much and I’m hoping to build on that this year.”
Craig Mask and his wife, Dawn, of Mirage Farms in Port Republic, Maryland, made the trek around the Chesapeake Bay to attend. Specializing in goats, mushrooms and honey, in addition to a commercial fishing business, they have been regular attendees of the university’s Small Farm Conference since 2005, although it was their first visit to the Ag Showcase. They are currently transitioning their family farm to the next generation.
“It’s hard to find good help, especially if you live on the farm,” Mask said on the challenges they face. “And if you spend money on getting quality people, can you net enough to make it worthwhile. It’s a balance.”
On the opposite spectrum, Zita Seals and Chris Shorter of Centreville, Maryland, are cousins who aspire to get into the business of farming. “We’re just looking to see what we can do,” Shorter said.
The event culminated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the university’s USDA-funded Research, Extension and Teaching Farm on Stewart Neck Road in Princess Anne. The 1890 land-grant historically Black college or university received approximately $2 million to purchase over 380 acres of land for the facility. Additional 1890 Facilities Grant funds were used to renovate and upgrade existing farm buildings and purchase equipment to enable the university to full its land-grant mission bringing the total to $4.2 million.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.
