WELCOME TO THE SMALL FARM INSTITUTEThe Small Farm Institute (SFI) marks a partnership between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Tthe USDA-Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) in the implementation of a Small Farm Outreach Initiative for small-scale, limited-resource, and/or socially disadvantaged farmers and landowners in Maryland and Virginia. The main goal of the project is to provide educational programs and outreach activities on a variety of Ag-related subjects that will enable farmers to own and operate farm businesses successfully as well as ensure their equitable participation in USDA agriculture programs.
The purpose of the Small Farm Institute website is to serve as an on-line source where farmers can go to for upcoming program events, general farm resource information, educational materials, and media from past workshops, conferences, and other outreach activities (sponsored by the project) in a sustainable and economical format. The Small Farm Institute coordinates research and extension outreach programs for evaluation and development based on the current issues and interests among small family farm operations. The SFI utilizes facilities located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus and research farm to plan and conduct most program events and activities. |
SMALL FARM INSTITUTE/EXTENSION NEWS
Agriculture Communication Office • University of Maryland Eastern Shore• Princess Anne, MD 21853
UMES SMALL FARM OUTREACH INITIATIVE WORKSHOP SPRING SERIES
Princess Anne, MD – A series of well-rounded events that will support and enhance the livelihood of area farmers begins on Saturday, March 16, on the campus of the
University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The 2013 Small Farm Workshop Series, sponsored by University of Maryland Extension, is a creation of the UMES Small
Farm Outreach Initiative.
The 2013 Small Farm Workshop Series commences at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, with a workshop that challenges participants to
stop spinning their wheels and to get down to growing their social media audience as well as their business. Apryl Parcher, direct marketing and social
media marketing specialist, presents “Solving the Social Media Puzzle: The Basic Building Blocks for Using Social Media to Effectively Grow Your
Business.” The 5-hour workshop offers ways to pinpoint one’s target audience, how to find them and how to communicate with them on social channels. The
session will be held in Kiah Hall and will end at 3 p.m. The registration fee is $20 per person.
On Saturday, March 23, Fred “Butch” Wells of Wicomico County will share his many years of experience in “Growing and Marketing Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries on Less Than an Acre.” The outdoor workshop begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m. at 8948 Athol Road in Mardela Springs. Participants will learn how to plant, grow, prune, pick and sell blackberries, raspberries and blueberries from a pro. The registration fee for this workshop is $15 per person.
“Free Range Poultry and Egg Production” will be the featured topic for the Saturday, April 6, workshop. Invited poultry specialists and experts from the region will educate participants on the basics of small flock management, biosecurity, nutrition requirements for layers, and common poultry diseases and prevention. The presenters will also touch on Maryland guidelines for selling eggs and egg handling. The workshop will be held in the Center for Food Science and Technology on the UMES campus from 10
a.m. until noon. The registration fee for this workshop is $15 per person.
The final workshop of the series, “Be Smart . . . Drench Smart . . . Small Ruminant Integrated Parasite Management,” will be held on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will learn about gastrointestinal parasites that badger sheep and goats, anthelmintic resistance and practices to mitigate or manage parasite
burdens. The 3-hour morning session will serve as the introduction for the afternoon hands-on training session, which will allow participants to get certified in the use of the FAMACHA© score card. Dr. Enrique Nelson Escobar, associate UMES professor and small ruminant specialist, will hold the workshop in the Center for Food Science and Technology on the UMES campus. The registration fee is $20 per person.
The registration fees for the 2013 Small Farm Workshop Series provides lunch and all educational materials. All registrations must be received one week prior to the date of the workshop, and registrants who need special services or accommodations or who have special dietary needs must call at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements.For more information about these events and more,contact Kayla Parmar at 410-651-6070 or by email at kjparmar@umes.edu.
Online registration is available at www.umes.edu/1890-mce..
University of Maryland Extension · University of Maryland Eastern Shore · 2122 Richard A. Henson Center ·
Princess Anne, MD 21853 · Phone: 410 651-6206 · Fax: 410 651-6207 · Email: mce@umes.edu
Princess Anne, MD 21853 · Phone: 410 651-6206 · Fax: 410 651-6207 · Email: mce@umes.edu
