A group of 20 middle and high school students from Maryland and as far away as Puerto Rico spent two weeks of their summer at the AgDiscovery program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Participants experienced firsthand some of the careers that they could pursue in agriculture and related fields and interacted with scientists…Read more USDA AgDiscovery summer program at UMES wraps up
Biden administration announces proposed changes to the poultry tournament system
By Paul Goeringer, Agricultural Law Education Initiative (ALEI) | University of Maryland The Biden administration recently announced a proposed regulation to revise the Packers and Stockyards Act to require more disclosures to contract poultry growers. These regulations would fully replace the proposed regulations announced by the Trump administration. The regulations being proposed by USDA are…Read more Biden administration announces proposed changes to the poultry tournament system
Wicomico County horticulture students learn about healthful algae through project
SALISBURY, MD-(May 16, 2022)-Horticulture Production Management students in the A+ Garden Center at Parkside High School are learning how to grow an ancient plant in a new way that could someday help feed the ever-growing world population with safe food products full of potential health and nutrition benefits. Today, student groups set up an experiment…Read more Wicomico County horticulture students learn about healthful algae through project
UMES 4-H educator recognized by community
For those who know UMES Extension 4-H educator Diamond Nwaeze, an infectious smile exuding energy and confidence comes to mind. Her work ethic and community service has not gone unnoticed, as she was recognized last month with a Citizen Merit Award by the Princess Anne Town Commissioners. Nwaeze, also a UMES alumna, was hailed as…Read more UMES 4-H educator recognized by community
UMES Extension Food Safety Worker Training Tips
by Dr. Melinda Schwarz Training RecordsNo matter what training methods you use, start with making paper or electronic records of the training that you intend to do. Having proof that you trained your workers shows you are doing your due diligence. Include: Training TopicsConsider which critical food safety knowledge that applies to your farm: Training…Read more UMES Extension Food Safety Worker Training Tips
UMES Extension offers free webinar series for herb growers
Get ready for spring with a webinar series designed to train those serious about growing and processing specialty herbs with information needed to be successful. UMES Extension’s specialty herb consultant Henriette den Ouden has planned four online classes, March 2, 16, 30 and April 13, from 12-1 p.m., culminating with an in-person field day for…Read more UMES Extension offers free webinar series for herb growers
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in the U.S.
Biosecurity alert: Protect your flock! Word is (hopefully!) getting out that the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in commercial poultry flocks in the U.S. for the first time since 2020 and on the Delmarva Peninsula since 2004. The latest updates bring USDA-APHIS confirmed cases to…Read more Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in the U.S.
UMES Extension takes part in 2022 Delmarva Soil Summit
UMES Small Farm Program Coordinator Berran Rogers was among a group of 20 organizers representing agricultural organizations, soil conservation districts, university extension programs and Maryland and Delaware farmers of the 2022 Delmarva Soil Summit. The biennial event took place February 7-8 at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Themed “Groundwork for the…Read more UMES Extension takes part in 2022 Delmarva Soil Summit
Specialty crop growers can receive lab services to determine quality control though pilot program
UMES Extension will be embarking on a pilot program that will offer growers of specialty crops lab services to help ensure that their value-added products meet food safety benchmarks. A nearly $36,000 specialty crop block grant received by the Agricultural Law Education Initiative includes funds that will subsidize testing at the UMES Food Science Lab…Read more Specialty crop growers can receive lab services to determine quality control though pilot program
Aronia cultivation and research on the UMES Research and Education Farm
UMES chemistry professor, Dr. Victoria Volkis, has conducted aronia research slightly over a decade in partnership with Dr. Andrew Ristvey, an extension specialist for commercial horticulture at Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Md. Four years ago, they enlisted the help of extension specialists with UMES’ Small Farm Program to grow aronia on the UMES Research and Education Farm…Read more Aronia cultivation and research on the UMES Research and Education Farm
