HELP for Howard County Farm Owners
Assembled by the University of Maryland Extension (Aug. 2013)
Farm owners want to do what is best for their plants, animals, and the environment, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start! Fortunately, there are a lot of free and useful resources to help farmers make well‐informed and responsible choices.
The attached resources should give all farm owners a place to start when considering implementing best management practices for their operations or just looking for trustworthy information.
General Agricultural and Environmental Information
University of Maryland Extension
Howard County Extension Office
Extension is a nationwide educational network that brings the research and knowledge of landgrant
institutions to people in their homes, workplaces, and communities. University of
Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide, non‐formal education system within the College of
Agriculture and Natural Resources at the College Park Campus and the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore. Faculty and staff at the state and county level provide Maryland citizens with non
biased, research based information in the form of events, publications, workshops and classes.
UME offices are located in every county as well as in Baltimore City. Our agricultural specialists
can help you with farm finances, design, and management of the land and livestock.
eXtension
eXtension is an online resource unlike any other search engine or information‐based website. It
provides peer reviewed, reliable, free information from university extension educators in the
form of articles, webinars and videos. An “Ask the Expert” feature allows questions to be
submitted directly to university specialists. eXtension resources cover a wide range of topic
areas including but not limited to the following:
Ag Safety and Health Hogs, Pigs, and Pork
Animal Manure Management Horses
Animal Welfare Organic Agriculture
Apples Plant Breeding and Genomics
Bee Health Sheep
Beef Cattle Small and Backyard Flocks
Blueberries Small Meat Processors
Corn and Soybean Production
Howard Soil Conservation District
The Howard Soil Conservation District's staff of trained specialists helps landowners make wise
land use decisions for their properties. Cost sharing assistance from federal, state and/or local
sources may be available for conservation practices that control erosion and improve water
quality. The Howard Soil Conservation District is solely authorized to review sediment and
erosion control plans and small pond designs for all proposed developments.
Home and Garden Information Center
The HGIC provides information on growing lawns, flowers, and vegetables, along with
answering plant and garden pest questions.
Farm Business Resources
Beginning Farmer Success
Beginning Farmer Success is a UME partnership program providing farmers with tools and
education to explore, refine, develop and implement farm businesses.
Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center
MREDC, a UME Community Resource and Economic Development Online Initiative, is a onestop‐
shop for the 21st century agricultural/natural resource entrepreneur, provides successful
rural business innovation strategies for your farm business plan, and your production and
management techniques. Learn anywhere by using the many distance learning tools delivered
on MREDC in audio, video, or other interactive format that are organized in modules. These
unique modules and tools are designed to help you get information quickly and make informed
decisions.
Nutrient Management
UME Nutrient Management Program
The University Agricultural Nutrient Management Program, which is funded by the MDA,
provides the following services: nutrient management plan development for Maryland farmers
through a network of nutrient management advisors located in all 23 county Extension offices;
and continuing education and technical support for certified nutrient management consultants
and certified farm operators via state and regional nutrient management specialists.
Howard County UME Nutrient Management Advisor:
Krista Mitchell
3300 N. Ridge Road, Suite 240
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410‐313‐2709
Fax: 410‐313‐2712
Email: kristaw@umd.edu
Small Flock Poultry Production
UME Small Flock Production
The Small Flock Production section of the UME Poultry website contains information on caring
for both egg and meat production birds along with links to MDA’s regulations regarding selling
of eggs and meat in Maryland.
Dr. Nick Zimmermann
Associate Professor, Animal and Avian Sciences
Extension Poultry Specialist
University of Maryland, College Park
Phone: 301‐405‐2805
Email: nickz@umd.edu
Dr. Jonathan R. Moyle
Associate Professor, Extension Poultry Specialist
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
Phone: 410‐742‐1178 ext. 309
Email: jmoyle@umd.edu
Sheep and Goat Resources
UME Sheep and Goat
UME Sheep and Goat Specialist, Susan Schoenian maintains these websites full of great
information for sheep and goat owners.
Susan Schoenian
Phone: 301‐432‐2767 x343
Fax: 301‐432‐4089
Email: sschoen@umd.edu
Maryland Sheep Breeders Association
Maryland Dairy Goat Association
Equine Resources
University of Maryland Equine Studies and Equine Extension
The Equine Studies Program at the University of Maryland offers educational programs for
youth and adults interested in learning more about the care, use, and management of horses.
Dr. Amy Burk
Associate Professor & Extension Horse Specialist
Equine Studies Program Coordinator
Phone: 301‐405‐8337
Email: amyburk@umd.edu
UME Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration Site
The Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration Farm is part of the Central Maryland Research
and Educational Center in Clarksville, Maryland. The site was developed to educate equine farm
operators how to better manage their pastures to benefit horses and the environment.
Educational events are held there throughout the year.
Horse Outreach Workgroup
The Horse Outreach Workgroup provides how‐to documents to help horse owners with their
pasture and manure management issues. The workgroup consists of representatives from local
Soil Conservation Districts, MDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension,
University of Maryland, the Equiery, and the Maryland Horse Industry Board. The MDA’s Office
of Resource Conservation provides coordination for the workgroup.
Howard County MDA Equine Planner
Based in the Howard County Soil Conservation office, MDA Equine Planners offer free advice for
horse farm operators on establishing best management practices for their farms and properties,
providing one on one consultations regarding pasture management, environmental concerns,
water management, and erosion control.
My Horse University
My Horse University (MHU) was established in 2005 at Michigan State University, the pioneer
land‐grant university with nationally‐ranked programs in equine science and management.
MHU brings research and knowledge from world‐renowned experts to online courses and
products. MHU’s courses provide a comprehensive and convenient learning experience for horse
enthusiasts throughout the world.
