Agricultural Nutrient Management Meetings

Nutrient Management Voucher

Nutrient Management Training Program

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC)

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations

Winter/Spring 2025 Sessions

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who meet the minimum requirements ($2,500 gross agricultural income or 8 animal units) to learn how to write their own nutrient management plan (NMP). Interested producers may attend one of four sessions, see registration information below. Upon completion of this course producers will become certified to write their operation’s plan and will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
Time and Certification: This course requires a significant time commitment. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels and multiple sources of organic amendments may require additional training. Additional optional opportunities will be announced for each session during training. Farmers are required to have current soil and manure/organic tests prior to the training. To become certified, farmers must complete all coursework, pass the certification exam, and have their first nutrient management plan approved by MDA.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer (provided for in-person courses)
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
  • Webcam (for online course)
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Web browsing
    • MS Office programs (Word, Excel), PDF readers
    • Ability to download/open/save computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program (NuMan Pro)

Cost and Accommodation:

• Space is limited, register early. Registration will close one week prior to the course date or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course) and $25 for NuMan Pro software.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training, please contact Kayla Griffith (kmgriffi@umd.edu) no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course.

Registration: Below are the four sessions that will be available during the winter and spring 2025. Register for one session only. Please pay particular attention to location, sessions are in-person or online only, there is no hybrid option. Registration is first come, first serve for those who have updated soil tests and manure tests (if applicable). Instructors reserve the right to cancel sessions that do not meet minimum registration requirements. Lunch will not be provided for in-person sessions, please plan accordingly.

Update Your Nutrient Management Plan (2025 Schedule)

Have you updated your nutrient management plan for the upcoming cropping season? Do you have questions? Do you need help getting started? Do you need a software refresher?

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) Nutrient Management Specialists will be available to assist you with updating to your nutrient management plan and the nutrient management planning software NuMan Pro 5.3. The sessions will be informal and participants will work at their own pace. Participants must be familiar with a keyboard/computer and able to retrieve and save files. Bring a keyboarding assistant, if needed.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

• A copy of your most recent nutrient management plan
• An electronic copy of your NuMan Pro file and other plan components on CD or memory stick
• Soil test results no older than Fall 2022
• A recent manure analysis (if manure is applied to your land)
• Knowledge of what crops are planned for the 2025 cropping season
• A record of manure applications made in the 2023 and 2024 cropping years

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED?
Laptop computers equipped with NuMan Pro 5.3 software, printers, and technical support to make the updating process quick and easy.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

• Registration is mandatory to ensure an adequate number of computers are available.
• Each session will be limited to 11 participants so register early.
• There is no fee to attend these sessions.
• Register by contacting Paul Shipley at 301-405-2563 or prs@umd.edu
• Note: Continuing education credits are not available for these sessions.

Consultant Training & Certification

Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management

Forage Yield Measurement & Manure Spreader Calibration

Location: Wye Angus Conference Center
2010 Carmichael Road, Queenstown, MD 21658

Date: November 4, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Kayla Griffith at (301) 226-7403 or kmgriffi@umd.edu on or before October 1, 2025.

Registration Link: https://go.umd.edu/PENM25

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Certified nutrient management consultants/operators and any
individual interested in learning hands-on aspects of nutrient management are
encouraged to attend.

Agenda

9:00am-9:30am - Welcome

9:30am-11:30am - Methods for Measuring Forage Yield 

• This session will provide an overview of the different ways to measure forage yield in a pas ture or hayfield, including clip and weigh, plate meters, grazing sticks, and table estimations. Pros and cons for the different methods will be discussed and participants will have a chance to use a variety of tools to measure forage yields in a pasture.

12:00pm-12:30pm – Lunch break, MDA Update

12:30pm-4:00pm - Manure Spreader Calibration 

• This session will provide participants with the opportunity to measure effective swath width, determine proper swath overlap and determine the application rate of a horizontal manure spreader to properly achieve a uniform manure application pattern and rate. The University of Maryland Extension Soil Fertility Bulletins, EC-1 & EC-2, will be provided.               

Additional Notes

• Free Program
• 6 Maryland and Delaware Nutrient Management Continuing Education Credits (6 CEUs)
• We will be outside and exposed to the elements for most of the day. This program will be conducted rain or shine. Please plan to bring appropriate clothing.

DIRECTIONS: Wye Angus Parking and Conference Center. 

After you exit Route 50 onto Carmichael Road, you will continue for approximately 4 miles before you arrive at the Wye Angus facility. Please note, some navigation apps may take you to an incorrect location. After you pass Cheston Lane on your right, you will continue 1 more mile. You should make the right hand turn into the Center (please see image below). You should see Wye Angus signs. 

How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan

October 28–29, 2025
Virtual via Zoom

Course Overview

Join this hands-on, two-day course introducing the Maryland Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) process from start to finish. Participants will complete a full plan using NuMan Pro 5.3 software.
Certified nutrient management consultants will earn 6 continuing education credits.

Course Details

Dates & Time:
October 28 & 29, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (daily)

Location:
Virtual via Zoom
(Zoom link provided after registration)

Cost:
This course is free.
There is a one-time $75 purchase fee for NuMan Pro 5.3 (optional).
NuMan Pro 5.3 is not compatible with Mac or Chromebooks.

Topics Covered

• Maryland Nutrient Management Regulations
• Introduction to the Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT)*
• Data Collection
• Reporting and Recordkeeping
• Soil Sampling and Testing
• Calibrations and Nitrate Testing
• Organic Sampling and Testing
• Livestock, Fruit, and Christmas Trees in NMPs
• Generating Crop Recommendations
• Completing a full example NMP

*In-depth PMT training will be provided at a later date for those interested.

Who Should Attend

All are welcome!
Priority will be given to:

• Certified consultants who plan to write Maryland NMPs
• Certified individuals seeking CEUs

Registration will be limited!

Registration

Deadline: October 21, 2025
Register at: go.umd.edu/HTWNMP2025
Seating is limited.

Contact

For more information or accommodation requests, contact:
Kayla Griffith
kmgriffi@umd.edu | (301) 226-7403

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Kayla on or before October 14, 2025.

Additional Notes

• Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
• NuMan Pro 5.3 purchase instructions will be emailed upon registration.

Winter Crop Production Meetings for the 2024-2025 Season