Learn what you need to know about growing medicinal herbs during a free, four-part UMES Extension webinar series this winter. Participants should plan on viewing all sessions in order to apply the knowledge they have grasped at a culminating, hands-on field day in spring.
“If you are considering growing herbs for value-added products or are just starting out, this series may be right for you. It also comes with the added benefit of access to consultation between sessions,” said Henriette den Ouden, UMES’ specialty herb consultant and instructor for the series.
The lunch and learn webinars are from noon-1 p.m. The Jan. 22 online class will focus on winter prep, including what to look for in buying seeds and plugs, which seeds need early planting, how to prepare the soil, and tools needed to start the year. Feb. 5 includes growing and harvesting a root crop, along with how to dry and market them. On Feb. 26, it’s all about leafy herbs and flowers. The March 12 session puts it all together in “From Harvest to Value-Added Product.” Highlights of the final webinar include: understanding processing, regulatory challenges, packaging and marketing herbs.
Webinar participants can attend an in-person field day April 26 for a fee of $15 per person, which includes lunch. The field day takes place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Research, Extension and Teaching Farm in Princess Anne. Registrants will seed and plant medicinal herbs, tour the gardens, and discuss pests, ground and shade covers, irrigation systems and greenhouses.
Pre-registration for the free webinars, and separate registration for the nominal fee field day is at www.umes.edu/extension/events. Email smallfarms@umes.edu for more information.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photo by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.
