Agricultural Nutrient Management Meetings
Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) | Consultant Training | Nutrient Management Voucher
Nutrient Management Voucher
| Feb. 6, 2025 | Cecil County's Winter Agronomy Day Calvert Grange 2357 Telegraph Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911 |
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m | Pre-registration required. Call Doris Behnke at 410-996-8135 or email edbehnke@umd.edu |
| Feb. 27, 2025 | UME-Washington County Office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713 |
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | For more information contact Jeff Semler |
| Mar. 6, 2025 | Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification and Nutrient Voucher Training - Talbot County 10659 Hiners Lane, Easton, MD 21601 |
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Register |
| April 8, 2025 | Online Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification This session will focus on fertility and production related topics for all field crops, fruits and vegetables. This ZOOM recertification session will be live via the internet directly from the University of Maryland. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification. |
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Register |
Nutrient Management Training Program
| February 7, 2025 | Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Examination will be offered on February 07, 2025. This exam is for farmers and consultants who want to write nutrient management plans for others. There is a $50 non-refundable certification fee, however, government personnel are exempt with a Government Sales and Use Tax Exempt certificate. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions selected from twelve knowledgeable areas. |
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
Farmer Training & Certification (FTC)
For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Winter/Spring 2025 Sessions
Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who meet the minimum requirements ($2,500 gross agricultural income or 8 animal units) to learn how to write their own nutrient management plan (NMP). Interested producers may attend one of four sessions, see registration information below. Upon completion of this course producers will become certified to write their operation’s plan and will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.
Time and Certification: This course requires a significant time commitment. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels and multiple sources of organic amendments may require additional training. Additional optional opportunities will be announced for each session during training. Farmers are required to have current soil and manure/organic tests prior to the training. To become certified, farmers must complete all coursework, pass the certification exam, and have their first nutrient management plan approved by MDA.
Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:
- Required Materials/Technology
- Reliable internet connection
- Email address
- Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
- Printer (provided for in-person courses)
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- PDF reader software
- Webcam (for online course)
- Required Skills
- Competency in high school math
- Intermediate computer skills including:
- Web browsing
- MS Office programs (Word, Excel), PDF readers
- Ability to download/open/save computer files
- Ability to learn a new software program (NuMan Pro)
Cost and Accommodation:
- Space is limited, register early. Registration will close one week prior to the course date or when capacity is reached.
- Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course) and $25 for NuMan Pro software.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training, please contact Kayla Griffith (kmgriffi@umd.edu) no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course.
Registration: Below are the four sessions that will be available during the winter and spring 2025. Register for one session only. Please pay particular attention to location, sessions are in-person or online only, there is no hybrid option. Registration is first come, first serve for those who have updated soil tests and manure tests (if applicable). Instructors reserve the right to cancel sessions that do not meet minimum registration requirements. Lunch will not be provided for in-person sessions, please plan accordingly.
| Dates | Location | Address | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A - MDA 1/28/2025, 1/30/2025, and 2/3/2025 |
In-person | Maryland Department of Agriculture (50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis MD 21401) | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionAWinter25 |
| Session B - Online 2/3/2025 through 3/7/2025 |
Online | Online | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionBWinter25 |
| Session C – Frederick Co. 3/24/2025, 3/26/2025, and 4/2/2025 |
In-person | Frederick County Extension (330 Montevue Lane, Frederick MD 21702) | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionCWinter25 |
| Session D - Online 3/31/2025 through 5/2/2025 |
Online | Online | https://go.umd.edu/FTCSessionDWinter25 |
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
Operator Certification (FTC) for Writing Nutrient Management Plans for Nurseries, Greenhouses and Controlled Environments
Date: Feb. 6, 2025 | Thursday
Time: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM | Cost: The cost for this program is $40.00 and includes program costs (including lunch) and the MDA exam fee ($20). For consultants not taking the exam, the cost is $20. Payment will be required at the beginning of the program. A check can be made out to University of Maryland. A receipt will be available.
Location: Wye Research and Education Center,124 Wye Narrows Drive, Queenstown, MD 21658
Description: Nursery Operator Certification (FTC) for writing nursery nutrient management plans will be offered to growers who are interested in attaining Farmer Training Certification for writing nutrient management plans. This training program will assist you in writing a nutrient management plan for your nursery or greenhouse operation, or controlled environment. You must write a nursery nutrient management plan if you are an agricultural business and gross $2,500 or more per year in sales. With this certification, you will be able to sign-off and submit your own plan and annual implementation reports.
This program consists of a Training Day and an Exam/Signoff Day. This training day, Thursday, February 6th, 2025, will consist of learning the plan-writing process. After the training day, you will have about 5 weeks, during which time you will study the Nursery Nutrient Management Training Manual and develop your plan. The Exam/Signoff Day will be at a location and on a date “to be announced”. This date will also be for reviewing your newly developed plan (or renewing your old plan). You must write a plan for Maryland Dept of Agriculture (MDA) to become certified.
The process is relatively simple for small (or low-risk) operations, so if your operation size is less than 5 acres, we would strongly encourage you to think about becoming a certified operator. If your operation is larger than 5 acres or you run a controlled environment, we would still encourage you to become a certified operator, even though the nutrient management process may be a little more complicated. For nutrient management consultants who wish to learn more about the process for developing nutrient management plans for greenhouses and container crop production, this workshop will offer 6 hours of continuing education credits.
Registration: If you wish to register, please do so before January 30th, 2025 by emailing Dr. Andrew Ristvey (aristvey@umd.edu). Add your business name and phone contact number. If you have questions, please send an email to me or call me at 410-827-8056 x113. If you need any accommodations for this program, please contact me by January 23rd.
Consultant Training & Certification
Currently, there are no scheduled events for Consultant Training & Certification. Please check back soon for the latest updates.
Agricultural Nutrient Management Program
The University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural Nutrient Management Program, which is a component of the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, focuses on balancing nutrient applications with crop requirements to optimize crop production while reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.