Impending foul weather from Tropical Storm Debby held off in Princess Anne for the fourth annual UMES Ag Showcase. It was a hot and humid, but informative, day for about 175 attendees. “I am not sure who spoke with Mother Nature, but they should get a round of applause. We want to thank UMES and…Read more UMES event features environmentally friendly agricultural practices, equipment
UMES Ag Showcase offers MDA training credits
The annual installment of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ag Showcase will take place Aug. 7 at its Research, Extension and Teaching Farm. Held in partnership with Atlantic Tractor LLC and Simplot Grower Solutions, the free event features corn field trials, interactive demonstrations on the latest in smart-farm technology and equipment, and UMES agricultural…Read more UMES Ag Showcase offers MDA training credits
Picnic tent to booming farm market
UMES Extension tour takes visitors inside agribusiness success “Sweat equity,” Kelly Jackson (at left) told visitors, was what took her family’s agribusiness from a picnic tent at the end of the lane for selling sweet corn to a booming farm market, helping to shape Dorchester County’s agritourism regulations. The group was part of UMES Extension’s…Read more Picnic tent to booming farm market
UMES Traveling Agritourism Workshop
For Blades Orchard, reinvention is key to success After 14 years of operating as a u-pick, the owner-operators of Blades Orchard in Federalsburg, Maryland, shifted their agribusiness model. They now offer their fruit and value-added products at farmers markets, a CSA and pre-order online sales for pick up at the farm by appointment. Why? Steve…Read more UMES Traveling Agritourism Workshop
UMES and partners offer free Ag Showcase August 7
Agricultural producers from farms of all sizes can get the latest information geared toward increasing their bottom lines at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ag Showcase Aug. 7. The free event is sponsored by UMES Extension in partnership with Atlantic Tractor LLC and Simplot Grower Solutions. The focus of this year’s showcase is…Read more UMES and partners offer free Ag Showcase August 7
Traveling Agritourism Workshop offers lessons directly from farm proprietors
UMES Extension is offering an opportunity to learn about successes and challenges directly from agritourism operators in a follow-up to its Maryland Agritourism Conference. A Traveling Agritourism Workshop, slated for June 10, will visit agribusinesses in Dorchester and Caroline counties in Maryland. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. for tours of Blades Orchard in…Read more Traveling Agritourism Workshop offers lessons directly from farm proprietors
Shore youth experience eclipse through UMES 4-H STEM
People across the nation hunted for special viewing glasses, created pinhole projectors, planned parties and flocked to areas of totality in anticipation of the Great North American Eclipse and getting the most from the rare occurrence. The April 8 celestial event promised the first opportunity since 2017 and the last until August 23, 2044, to…Read more Shore youth experience eclipse through UMES 4-H STEM
Learn how to operate and maintain small engines and BCS machines
Planting season has arrived on the Delmarva Peninsula for gardeners and small farmers and with it the need to think about small engine machine operation and maintenance. A May 1 workshop will be hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension’s Small Farm Program. Shane LaBrake, (at left, center) who has over 45 years…Read more Learn how to operate and maintain small engines and BCS machines
UMES Extension offers specialty crop workshops
A full-day Meet the Growers workshop Feb. 13 served as a one-stop shop connecting specialty crop growers to buyers and financial assistance programs. Nearly 40 participants took advantage of the opportunity aimed at increasing farm profitability. “Getting farmers in one place with available resources to learn all that is available is what today is about,”…Read more UMES Extension offers specialty crop workshops
UMES hosts inaugural Maryland Agritourism Conference
Whether their agribusiness ventures are on-farm markets, U-picks, CSAs, creameries, farm breweries, pumpkin patches with corn mazes and hay rides or overnight stays, a common theme emerged among small farmers attending a University of Maryland Eastern Shore-sponsored agritourism conference. The buzz was how to keep farms profitable in the face of challenging economic times by…Read more UMES hosts inaugural Maryland Agritourism Conference