Agriculture in St. Mary's County

OUR AGRICULTURAL EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP
For over 150 years, University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland communities. We will not waiver on that promise. Our educators and faculty members are quickly developing new learning opportunities to continue to meet the needs of our customers and are working to ensure you have the science-based information you need to protect people and reinvigorate businesses threatened by COVID-19. 

The Office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm. No appointment is required, but masks must be worn while in the office. 

  • Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.
  • Field visits: If needed and following social distancing protocol, we continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.
  • Online Resources: We are expanding online learning available at the website below. Find online pesticide and nutrient voucher recertification here: https://go.umd.edu/iKp

We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agents:                                        

  Ben Beale
301-481-7209
bbeale@umd.edu
https://extension.umd.edu/locations/st-marys-county
Dave Myers
410-980-1768
myersrd@umd.edu
https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county

Nutrient Management Program

Nutrient Management Program

Nutrient Management plans are science-based documents that help farmers manage fertilizers, animal waste, and other nutrient sources more efficiently to meet crop needs while protecting water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  All farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight are required by law to run their operations using a nutrient management plan that addresses both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs.  The requirement applies to all agricultural land used to produce plants, food, feed, fiber, animals or other agricultural products.

For more information, contact Greg Simpson 301-475-4480 or simpsong@umd.edu

Soil Testing

Resources

Agriculture Newsletters

FARM News

Farm News april 2024

Vegetable & Fruit News

2024 Vegetable & Fruit News

Agronomy News

2024 Agronomy News

St. Mary's County Farm News

FARM NEWS SPRING 2023

ROOTS IN RESEARCH

Yield of 2021

Research and Field Trials

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

Wheat bran and molasses sounds like a healthy combination for breakfast cereal, but what impact does it have as a soil treatment for persistent soil borne diseases? A new process called ASD or Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation uses a combination of organic matter and sugars (wheat middling’s and molasses for example) in an anaerobic environment to reduce plant pathogens, weeds and nematodes in soil. Research on ASD was initiated followed the observation that disease was suppressed following periods of flooding. Additional research indicated the disease suppression was enhanced by the addition of organic amendments. The process produces anaerobic conditions that results in volatile compounds such as toxic organic acids and enhances beneficial anaerobic soil microorganisms. Ben Beale, Sarah Hirsh, Habtamu Demissie and Kate Everts trialed this method last fall in two high tunnels (houses) in St. Mary’s county, MD. 

Read the results here

Resources

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Local Resources