February 15, 17 and 24 at the Anne Arundel County University of Maryland Extension Office, Gambrills, MD

In response to feedback that we have received from farmers, and recognition of the complexity of the nutrient management planning process for highly diversified vegetable operations, The University of Maryland and The Million Acre Challenge are organizing a special training, certification and feedback session that will focus on small to mid-scale diversified operations.

In addition to the traditional certification in nutrient management plan-writing, and opportunity to write your own plan, we will use this session to gather feedback from participants on how to make the process more streamlined and efficient for farmers, and hopefully begin to make the nutrient management plan itself a more useful tool for maintaining crop and soil health.

Following the 3-Part Farmer Training and Certification Sessions, participants will be invited to an online work-session with Ellen Polishuk, an expert and consultant in sustainable vegetable production, to answer questions and offer suggestions for how to meet the fertility needs of crops given any limitations caused by environmental concerns.

The Farmer Training and Certification workshops provide opportunities for producers to learn how to write nutrient management plans for their operation that meet Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations.  Additionally, there are several opportunities on the horizon that will require an up-to-date nutrient management plan– including cost-share, grant and certified local programs.

Individuals with fields or pastures high in soil test phosphorus may require additional training and a greater time commitment.

Benefits:

• Attend all three sessions and walk away with a ready-to-go nutrient management plan!

• Position your farm to be eligible for upcoming cost-share and grant opportunities

• Improve your farm’s fertility regime

• Be confident your farm is not contributing pollution to the Bay

• Learn a skill so you can update your own nutrient management plans in the future OR communicate more effectively with your nutrient management plan writer

• Access to a small-group online consultation session with Ellen Polishuk, a diversified vegetable crop and soil health specialist!

Plus, you will receive:

• A comprehensive training binder – The training binder will be used during the class, serve as a reference during the exam, and as a valuable resource when you write future plans for your operation.
• Certification – Producers who pass the exam will be certified by MDA to write their own nutrient management plans.
• Voucher training credits – This class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
• Subsidized training and certification – This training is free to you in exchange for your willingness to provide valuable feedback!

REGSTER HERE 

The deadline to register is Thursday January 27th.