Resources for Farmers

Ag Continuing Education

Education is key to ensuring a successful future for farms in Maryland. SMADC has several education and outreach strategies for farmers including workshops and events, courses through the University of Maryland IAA and College of Southern Maryland, and hands-on trainings. Check our calendar for upcoming events.

Upcoming: Free Virtual Cottage Food Workshop – February 7, 2023

Hosted by The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Office of Food Protection, in partnership with SMADC

February 7, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Location: Virtual

Registration opening January 3, 2023

In this training workshop, MDH Plan Review Specialists will provide an overview of Maryland’s Cottage Food law and regulations. Participants will become familiar with the definition of a Cottage Food Business and the types of products that can be sold, Cottage Food labeling requirements, how to request a Unique Identification Number (used instead of a business address), and how to sell products at a Retail Food store. The presentation will also explore the next steps for a growing Cottage Food Business.

Attendees will learn from pre-and-post tests of frequently asked questions illustrated with situational examples such as “Mary wants to sell her cottage food products at her friend’s hair salon and boutique. Is she allowed to do that?” And “I can make pickles, beverages, and elderberry syrup as a Cottage Food business?” Get the answers to these questions, ask your own and learn everything you need to know to operate a home-based Cottage Food business in Maryland.

Established Cottage Food businesses, farmers market managers, farm vendors (on-farm stores and stands), retail food stores and anyone who is thinking about starting a home-based food business are encouraged to attend to hear the latest Cottage Food business guidelines.

Workshop presentation handouts plus links to the latest MDH Cottage Food guidelines will be provided to view and download once made available. 

Workshop date: February 7, 2023 – Please check back on January 3rd for additional details.

Youth Education

SMADC participates every year in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Week. It has issued grants for high schools to refurbish greenhouses and develop hands-on curriculum for students to learn about the many aspects of food and plant production.

SMADC is also a sponsor of the Southern Maryland Livestock Invitational Expo (SMILE), a yearly event that brings together children and teens in livestock and domestic animal-related events.

SMADC Speaker Series

Community Education

SMADC is frequently approached by clubs, organizations and groups for information about individual programs, SMADC’s overall efforts or specific topics such as land preservation or marketing agricultural resources. To address this, SMADC has created a flexible presentation that can be adapted to the needs of various groups. A staff member, usually the executive director, meets with groups like these dozens of times throughout the year and speaks directly to these audiences.

Possible topics include:

• Buy Local Movement
• New & Beginning Farmers
• Southern Maryland Farming after Tobacco
• Cutting Edge Approaches for Direct Marketing

Learn More

Scholarships and Sponsorships

SMADC recognizes the importance of educational and networking opportunities for farmers and for young adults (high school and above) that promote and support agriculture, stimulate interest in careers in agriculture and grow a new generation of farmers. To address this need, SMADC is offering both sponsorships and scholarships to residents in Southern Maryland.

Sponsorships are typically awarded to an entity seeking sponsorship funds for events that provide information or assistance to benefit the region’s farming community.

Scholarships are typically awarded to individuals who live in Southern Maryland to assist in the costs of attending training, a workshop or a program related to agriculture.

Preference is for residents/entities of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties.

Click here to begin the online submission process

Applicants may apply anytime throughout the year, but requests will only be reviewed quarterly. The quarterly deadlines to submit applications for consideration are: January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st.

Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the SMADC board. For planning purposes, please note that the review process may take up to six weeks.

Trainings & Tutorials

SMADC has developed several tutorials to assist producers with various regulatory processes for value-added agriculture businesses including acidified foods and meat processing. In addition, we have other resources available for soil health, conservation planning, land preservation, and real estate.

Learn More