{"id":14687,"date":"2025-11-13T11:43:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T16:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/?p=14687"},"modified":"2025-12-10T09:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:26:02","slug":"umes-extension-honors-area-farmers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/connections\/umes-extension-honors-area-farmers\/","title":{"rendered":"UMES Extension honors area farmers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"University<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Small-scale farmers working with UMES Extension specialists in their respective programs were recognized Nov. 25, 2025 at an award ceremony during the 22nd<\/sup> annual UMES Extension Small Farm Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young Farmer Achievement Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Malaughin<\/strong> (far left)<\/em>, 21, from Caroline County, Maryland, took home the Young Farmer Award along with a certificate of appreciation for his work on an alley-cropping project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChris is the driving force\u201d on his family’s Fowling Creek Farm, said Dr. Nadine Burton<\/strong> (center)<\/em>, an alternative crop specialist with UMES Extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With his parents\u2019 support, she said: \u201cHe approaches agriculture with curiosity and innovation always eager to try new techniques, ask the right questions and seek better ways to make things work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many of his peers are pursuing careers \u201cbehind computer screens or in cities away from the land,\u201d Burton said, Malaughin chose farming, a path rooted in purpose, perseverance and passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom early mornings to late evenings in the field, Chris demonstrates not only a strong work ethic, but also an unwavering commitment to community,\u201d Burton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaughin \u201cbelieves in being part of the solution\u201d through his contributions to the Maryland Food Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChris ensures that fresh, healthy produce reaches families who need it most. His actions remind us that agriculture is not just about planting seeds in the soil, it\u2019s about planting hope in the hearts of people,\u201d Burton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She thanked him for his hard work, spirit of innovation and desire to make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are proof that the next generation of farmers is not only ready but already leading the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative Crops Recognition Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burton also called on Taieshia Hyacinth<\/strong> (above far right)<\/em>, owner of Caribe Locavore Farm in Dover, Delaware, to be recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer early exposure to both urban energy and rural tradition gave her a unique perspective that would blossom into a deep love for agriculture,\u201d Burton said of the Brooklyn, New York-born Afro-Caribbean American.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyacinth grows specialty vegetables like okra, collards, callaloo, amaranth and Scotch-bonnet peppers, and traditional crops, herbs and fruit. The farm also produces pasture-raised eggs and baked goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer success did not come by chance; it came through learning, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence,\u201d Burton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyacinth\u2019s 20-year background in finance brought a business acumen to her agricultural pursuits that set her apart, Burton said. She strengthened her expertise through formal agricultural training, completing UMES Extension\u2019s Alternative Crop Course, and programs through the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center, Delaware State University and Annie\u2019s Project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeyond her farm gates, Taieshia stands as a leader and advocate,\u201d Burton said. \u201cShe is an active member of the First State African American Farmers Association, where she works collaboratively to uplift others, ensuring that beginning farmers have support and access to resources to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alley Cropping Recognition Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Another participant in UMES\u2019 Alternative Crop Program, Corine Pugh<\/strong> (far right)<\/em> of CP Farms, received an award for working with Dr. Lila Karki <\/strong>(far left) <\/em>on an alley-cropping project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pugh planted nearly 100 pecan trees on an acre of her Westover, Maryland, family-operated farm. In the rows, or alleys, between the trees, she integrated roughly 250 plants each of squash, eggplant, cantaloupe and bell pepper, with the later the underperformer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agricultural practices she adopted were micro-irrigation systems (drip tape), composting, mulching, minimal tillage, cover crops and integrated pest management, Karki, an associate professor of agricultural economic and extension specialist, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer field serves as a demonstration site for educating interested growers in the benefits of alley cropping, particularly in managing weather variability and enhancing farm profitability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pugh hosted a UMES Extension Field Day in August highlighting the practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integrated Pest Management Recognition Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Michael Edwards<\/strong> (far right)<\/em>, owner of Wood Duck Landing Farm in Princess Anne, Maryland, was recognized by Dr. Simon Zebelo <\/strong>(far left)<\/em> for his \u201clong-standing partnership, innovation and generosity\u201d to UMES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their collaboration began seven years ago with trap-crop trials, where it was discovered squash could effectively attract pests away from watermelon, Zebelo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMichael not only hosted those experiments, he adopted the system himself, reducing pesticide use on his farm and sharing his experience with other growers,\u201d said the professor of entomology and plant biology at UMES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also related to research with UMES\u2019 Center for Integrated Pest Management, of which Zebelo is director, Edwards \u201copened his fields for our hemp trials (2020-23), where we installed corn-earworm traps.\u201d He also allowed us to use his blueberry bushes for four years for spotted-wing drosophilia (fruit fly) studies, \u201cwork that would not have been possible without his generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, the two collaborated on a USDA-SARE Farmer Grant to evaluate the use of sweet corn for trapping corn earworm in hemp plots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMichael has been an exceptional partner and steadfast supporter of research and student training at UMES,\u201d Zebelo said. \u201cHis farm remains open to students for insect collection in my entomology and IPM classes, and he continues to support UMES and UMCP faculty conducting field experiments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialty Herbs Recognition Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Awardee Lacey Walker<\/strong> (far right) <\/em>of Fox Haven Organic Farm and Learning Center in Jefferson, Maryland, has worked with UMES specialty herbalist Henriette den Ouden<\/strong> (far left)<\/em> since the inception of UMES\u2019 herb demonstration garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker is an herb farmer, herbalist, forager and educator at Fox Haven, serving as its director of the Learning Center Farm. She created the farm\u2019s Fresh Herbal CSA and its Herbal Internship Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLacey teaches aspiring herb growers how to cultivate the plants and create value-added products,\u201d den Ouden said. \u201cMany of the herb growers UMES now works with have been inspired by her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker is dedicated to improving the herb farm located in the Catoctin valley near Frederick, den Ouden said. Last year, Fox Haven expanded acreage for herb growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLacey is always exploring better harvesting tools and also took the initiative to build a large commercial dryer at the facility,\u201d den Ouden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also leads the Chesapeake Herbshed, a group of growers, product makers and practitioners that meet regularly in support of each other and to make connections with buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLast spring, Fox Haven hosted UMES\u2019 annual herb growers meeting. The group enjoyed the beautiful facility and absorbing Lacey\u2019s knowledge,\u201d den Ouden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Farm Incubator Recognition<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berran Rogers, coordinator of UMES’ Small Farm Program, also recognized Diane Welburn<\/strong>, co-owner of Welburn Management, for its support on a Small Farm Incubator Program. (More next issue)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n



Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, <\/em>gcstephens@umes.edu<\/em><\/a>., 410-621-3850.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos by Kara Nuzback, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, KANuzback@umes.edu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Small-scale farmers working with UMES Extension specialists in their respective programs were recognized Nov. 25, 2025 at an award ceremony during the 22nd annual UMES Extension Small Farm Conference. Young Farmer Achievement Award Chris Malaughin (far left), 21, from Caroline County, Maryland, took home the Young Farmer Award along with a certificate of appreciation for…Read more UMES Extension honors area farmers<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","wds_primary_category":45,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,175],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-14687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-connections","category-november-2025-connections"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14687\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14687"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=14687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}