GARRETT COUNTY AG NEWSLETTER
The Garrett Office of University of Maryland Extension will be holding a private applicator test review on January 26th from 6-9pm at the Oakland office. The review will cover the information that is on the MDA Private Applicator Exam. Individuals that wish to have a private applicator license will also need to take the exam with MDA. MDA has two options for the exam, it can be taken in person or online. A date will be set later in the winter for the exam to be taken live in Garrett County and information will be provided on how to take the exam on-line. The private applicator license is required for farmers who apply restricted use pesticides on property that they farm. The license does not cover spraying for hire for other farmers or businesses. The training session is free. Materials are available in print (for a fee) and online.
For more information or to sign up, contact the extension office at 301-334-6960.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure, food processing residuals (FPRs), and other nutrient sources on cropland begins on December 16, 2025. Farmers can resume spreading these materials on March 1, 2026, as long as they follow their nutrient management plan recommendations and ensure that fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen. Read the entire article below.
Nutrient management planning for the 2026 growing season is upon us. This fall, all producers who requested a 2025 nutrient management plan should have received a letter and subsequent data collection information outlining what is needed for their 2026 plan update. Please complete the required information and return it to Andrea as quickly as possible. Any other producer in need of a plan who has not already contacted our office should call 301-334-6960 or email auphold@umd.edu as soon as possible. If soil and/or manure samples are needed for your plan update, please take advantage of any break in the winter weather to obtain those samples instead of waiting until spring. Sampling materials are available at the extension office for you to send the samples yourself. Let us know if we can answer any questions and we look forward to working with you.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage of native and improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover or acreage planted specifically for grazing. Grazing losses must occur on land physically located in a county experiencing a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county. Garrett County producers are eligible for a payment in 2025 due to the dry weather throughout the summer. Please call the FSA office in Oakland at 301-501-5857 for more information and to sign up for the program.
Annie was a woman who grew up in a small town in Northern Illinois. Her goal was to marry a farmer and she did. Annie spent her lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner with her farm husband. Together they did great things, but it wasn’t easy. This is Annie’s Project – to take her experiences and share it with women involved in agriculture.
Objectives
Annie’s project is designed to empower women in agriculture to manage information and learn about agriculture in a relaxed local network. The target audience is women with a passion for agriculture. Annie's Project is a six-week online experience designed especially for women to help them develop their management and decision-making skills. Annie’s Project will help develop an understanding, interpretation, and opportunities in agriculture
Wednesdays starting - February 18 - March , 2026 (NO CLASS Feb 25)
MidShore Maryland (In-person)
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne's County, 505 Railroad Avenue, Suite 4, Centreville, MD 21617
Virtual Option
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Online (through Zoom)
Note: reading and project assignments outside of class time about 1 hour per week.
Annie’s Project is approved for USDA FSA Borrower training. This includes classroom time and a workbook that will need to be completed. There is an additional $100 charge for the FSA portion. More information about this is located at https://go.umd.edu/anniesprojectfsa.
The cost is $50 for the series and includes a portfolio, access to an online learning platform and access to all presentations and worksheets, access to financial and legal advice, and support from a variety of community partners.
To register, visit https://2026anniesproject.eventbrite.com. For more information on the curriculum and program logistics, please contact Shannon Dill at sdill@umd.edu or Jenny Rhodes jrhodes@umd.edu or visit the website at https://go.umd.edu/anniesproject
Garrett Soil Conservation District is selling 5' to 7' bareroot fruit trees and fruit bushes again this year to raise funds for outreach. Trees starting at $21, bushes $10. Trees and bushes are customized to Garrett County's unique growing conditions. Many heirlooms. Also Persimmon and Paw-Paw seedlings. For more information please go to https://garrettsoilconservation.org.
Please click here to update your contact information and to stay updated on everything agriculture-related in Garrett County and the tri-state area.
William Lantz, Principal Agent
Agriculture & Food System
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Except for Observed Holidays
Email: rcvetnic@umd.edu
Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/garrett-county
Location: 1916 Maryland Hwy., Suite A, Mt. Lake Park, MD 21550
Phone: 301-334-6960
Office Hours: M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm excluding holidays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4HGarrettCoMD