If you’re a budding herb grower and missed the September class, you’re in luck. UMES Extension hosts a workshop exploring growing medicinal herbs for income on January 28—the first workshop of the New Year. It will be an in-person hands-on experience led by UMES Extension Specialty Herbs Consultant Henriette den Ouden from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UMES Research, Extension and Teaching Farm on Stewart Neck Road in Princess Anne.
“The workshop will give participants the information they need to make decisions surrounding growing medicinal herbs professionally,” den Ouden said. “It is geared toward those who plan to grow, or are already growing, herbs and for vegetable farmers who are considering diversifying their crops.”
Den Ouden, who has 17 years of experience growing and processing herbs as the owner of Habanera Farm and with UMES Extension, describes the workshop as “an opportunity to focus on practical skills such as seeding, growing, harvesting and making herbal products for income.”
Topics covered include soil preparation and cover crops; seeding, planting and harvesting (including hands-on seeding); Western and Chinese herbs suitable for growing in Maryland; yield and value per 50 feet row; herb drying, value-added products and agritourism. Most of all, den Ouden said, is how to define the value of products in order for it to be profitable and how to improve efficiency. Samples of herbs, along with products and tools used for growing and processing, will be on display.
“We will venture out to the demonstration herb garden to get a practical view of layout and spring preparations,” den Ouden said.
Lunch is included in the $20 per person registration fee. Register by January 26, 2023 HERE. For more information, or to send dietary restrictions or accommodations, email hdenouden@umes.edu.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos submitted by Henriette den Ouden
