Educational Events

University of Maryland Extension offers several forage-related educational programs throughout the year in a variety of formats including conferences, field days, webinars, short courses, and online programming. For specific details about upcoming programs and events, click on the specific event links listed below. You can also find a full list of the upcoming forage-related events on the Maryland Forages events page on Facebook.

Want to receive regular updates via email for upcoming forage-related news and events? Join our Maryland Forage Focus email listserv!

Forage Focus Email List

Upcoming Events

  • Winter Equine Seminar

    February 20th | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
    Derwood, MD

  • Spring Fencing Workshop

    March 11th | 9 AM - 12 PM
    Poolesville, MD

  • Fundamentals of Sheep Production

    March 29th | 10 AM - 3 PM
    Frederick, MD

  • Pasture Walk at Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding

    May 27th | 6:00 PM
    Street, MD

  • Pasture Walk at CMREC Equine Grazing Site

    June 12th | 6:00 PM
    Ellicott City, MD

  • Women in Ag Webinar: Pasture Renovation

    July 8th | 12:00 PM
    Online

Pasture Walks/Field Days

Field days or pasture walks are typically held as half-day or evening workshops with opportunities for hands-on participation and discussion. Topics vary from event to event but usually include information on pasture and grazing management, hay production, nutrient management, and/or forage-related research updates.

2025 Pasture Walks/Field Days

Spring Fencing Workshop - May 11, 2025 

Pasture Walk at Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding - May 27, 2025

Pasture Walk at CMREC Equine Grazing Site - June 12, 2025

Stay tuned for additional dates and locations!

Grazing Schools

Designed with producer interests in mind, these 2-day grazing schools offer a more in-depth education on pasture and grazing management. Enrollment is limited to keep group sizes small and allow for more hands-on activities, interaction, and networking opportunities. Reserve your spot today and come learn everything you need to know to better manage grazing on your farm!

2025 Maryland Grazing Schools

Maryland Grazing School - TBD

Stay tuned for additional dates and locations!

Ranching for Profit Workshops

These 2-day workshops are taught by the Ranching for Profit team and are designed for producers looking to transform their operation into a profitable business with less work and stress. Workshop attendees will dive deeper into the principles behind farm economics and increasing farm profitability. The workshops feature a small group approach with team and class discussions, case studies, videos, and interactions.

2024 Ranching for Profit Workshops

Virginia Ranching for Profit Workshop - October 22-23, 2024

Maryland Ranching for Profit Workshop - October 24-25, 2024

Webinars

Webinars are typically held as one hour sessions with opportunities for participant Q&A and discussion. Topics vary but may include information on pasture and grazing management, forage production, hay selection and feeding, livestock production, and nutrient management.

Upcoming 2025 Webinars

Pasture Renovation: Putting the Punch Back in Your Pastures

Recordings from previous webinars are also available for viewing on the Maryland Forages YouTube Channel the Maryland Beef Extension YouTube Channel, and the Mid-Atlantic Women in Agriculture YouTube Channel.

Stay tuned for additional webinar opportunities in 2025!

Short Courses/Workshops

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Tall fescue toxicosis reduces livestock weight gains and lowers reproductive performance. These one-day workshops are put on by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal and focus on managing tall fescue toxicity and integrating novel tall fescue varieties into a grazing system. Speakers include local producers, company representatives, and Extension specialists from across the country.

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops

Beef Short Courses

University of Maryland Extension and the Department of Animal Science beef short courses are designed to provide producers with educational information and hands-on training in several areas of beef production. Focus areas vary slightly from year to year but may include topics such as basic beef cattle production, beef cattle reproduction, nutrition, and pasture management.

Beef Short Course Information

Annual Conferences

Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

The Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences are held each year in January at four locations across Delaware and Maryland and cover educational information on all things forage. This educational series is a joint effort between the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council, University of Maryland Extension, and University of Delaware Extension.

2025 Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences

Delmarva Forage Conference - January 14, 2025

Southern Maryland Forage Conference - January 21, 2025

Western Maryland Forage Conference - January 22, 2025

Central Maryland Forage Conference - January 23, 2025

Maryland-Delaware Forage Council Website

Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference

The Northeast Pasture Consortium Conference is held annually at different locations across the Northeast. The conference features scientific and experiential presentations, posters, and discussion, including a grazing research priorities brainstorming session.

Northeast Pasture Consortium Website

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Conference

The Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance hosts an annual grazing conference in Washington County, MD. The conference features a variety of presentations on topics related to livestock, forages, and grazing management. 

Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance Website