Hay and pasture conferences cross state borders |
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| More productive and profitable hay fields and pastures are the purpose of three upcoming conferences. Meeting locations are in Delaware, the Eastern Shore and western Maryland, with attendance also welcome from Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Three regional hay and pasture conferences across Maryland and Delaware -- with close proximity to Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia -- will provide opportunities for farmers as well as agribusiness and agency personnel to obtain information on some of the latest technology and practices related to forage production, management and utilization.
“I think this winter’s series of hay and pasture conferences include some intriguing topics, says Les Vough, University of Maryland forage crops extension specialist emeritus and conferences coordinator.
Conference locations and dates are:
January 15: Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference, Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. No registration required.
January 16: Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference, Baden Volunteer Fire Hall, Brandywine, Md. Registration required, see below.
January 17: Tri-State (Md., Pa., and W.Va.) Hay & Pasture Conference, Pleasant Valley Community Center, Oakland, Md. Registration required, see below.
In addition, the Delmarva Hay & Pasture Mini-Conference will be held January 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. This is an abbreviated session intended primarily for small and part-time farmers who cannot attend the full day conference.
Certified Crop Advisor, pesticide and nutrient management certification credits will be offered.
There is no registration fee for the Delmarva conference and lunch will be available on site for purchase.
• Registration fee for the Southern Maryland conference will be $15 per person by January 9 and $20 after the 9th. Checks should be made payable to University of Maryland and sent to Hay & Pasture Conference, University of Maryland Extension, P.O. Box 663, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (phone: 301-475-4484).
• Registration for the Tri-State conference will also be $15 per person by January 10 and $20 after the 10th. Checks should be made payable to Garrett EAC and sent to Hay & Pasture Conference, University of Maryland Extension, 1916 Maryland Highway, Suite A, Mtn. Lake Park, MD 21550 (phone: 301-334-6960).
For more information or to obtain the complete program agenda and registration materials, contact your local extension or soil conservation district office or go to http://www.mdforages.umd.edu/UpcomingEvents.htm.
Vough says these conferences will provide valuable and very useful forage information to help improve the quality of the hay, silage and pasture that you produce. “With the ever decreasing numbers of university, agency, and industry personnel to provide technical information and support to producers and fewer educational programs being offered, it is important to support the remaining programs lest they be eliminated due to declining attendance and other priorities for funds. Let’s not let these conferences be added to that list,” he concludes.