Extension and Outreach

Several PSLA faculty members also serve as extension specialists. Click here for a list of extension faculty and their areas of specialization.

Extension Publications

Extension Publications can be found on the Maryland Cooperative Extension website.

Extension Projects

Maryland Forages Program

The Maryland forages extension program encompasses forage crops establishment, management, quality, and utilization. Emphasis is placed on a systems approach to forage production and utilization, integrating management practices for optimum yield and quality, reduced pesticide use, enhanced environmental benefits, and increased profitability. Particular emphasis is currently being placed on selecting hay and pasture species that are compatible with soil, climatic, and site characteristics and the available resources; developing marketing strategies for hay as an alternative cash crop, role of warm-season perennial grasses for mid-and late summer pasture production; factors influencing forage quality and how to assess the nutritional value of hay, silage, and pasture; and, developing year-round grazing systems to meet the nutritional needs and environmental regulations of livestock and horse operations.

The Maryland forages research program is currently concentrated in the areas of intercropping alfalfa and winter triticale for increased haylage yield and quality, cultural and chemical management practices to reduce the impacts of the cereal rust mite on timothy and improved seeding and weed control practices for establishment of warm-season perennial grasses.

Grain and Oil Crops

Dr. Jose Costa, Wheat and Barley Variety Improvement Program, (301) 405-1317
Dr. Arvydas Grybauskas, Extension Specialist-Field Crop Diseases, (301) 405-1602
Dr. William Kenworthy, Soybean Variety Improvement Program, (301) 405-1324
Dr. Robert Kratochvil, Extension Specialist-Field Crop Production (301) 405-6241

Grain and oil crops continue to have a major place in Maryland's landscape and play a major role in Maryland's agricultural economy. Approximately 500,000 acres each of corn and soybeans are produced annually. Winter wheat and barley are grown on nearly 250,000 acres yearly. Research faculty in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture have programs that are: focused upon the development of improved varieties of soybeans, wheat, and barley; investigating novel agronomic crop management practices; and are evaluating crop protection strategies. The research and extension faculty responsible for these crops, distribute the results of their tests to farmers through a number of avenues including our cropping system web site.

Weed Science

The Weed Science program focuses on weed control methods in the mid-Atlantic region.

Agricultural Nutrient Management Program

Maryland Cooperative Extension's Agricultural Nutrient Management Program provides nutrient planning services to Maryland farmers via a network of nutrient management advisors located in all county Extension office. The program is a component of the Maryland Nutrient Management Program, the focus of which is to reduce the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay by plant nutrients.

Water and Nutrient Management for the Green Industry

The nutrient management pages at NurseryWeb are designed to provide you with the latest Legislative information on the Maryland Water Quality Act of 1998, and the information you will be required to provide in nutrient management plans for your business. You will also find useful the links to information resources where you may find additional information from various state and government agencies.

Nursery and Greenhouse

NurseryWeb is an information portal for the nursery, greenhouse and landscape industries in Maryland.

Additional information

University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service

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