HUGHESVILLE, Md. – The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is excited to announce a new college agriculture class for the Southern Maryland region. Through a partnership with the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) and SMADC, the course Agricultural Marketing will be available for the Fall 2018 Semester, online and through four in-person classes to be held at SMADC, located in Hughesville, Maryland.

“The University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture is thrilled to again be partnering with SMADC to bring this course to Southern Maryland residents. To advance agriculture in the state, it’s imperative to continue to make education accessible to the citizens,” said Glori Hyman, Director of the Institute of Applied Agriculture.

The course being offered in Southern Maryland during the Fall of 2018 is INAG 103: Agricultural Marketing (3 credits): The course will examine principles of market demand that are used to develop a consumer oriented market strategy for the agricultural business. Topics will include market structures, target marketing, market segmentation, niche marketing and direct marketing. Market concepts unique to agricultural products are also covered. Additionally, one field trip day will be arranged for Southern Maryland students to visit the Dupont Circle Farmers Marketing in Washington, D.C.

Four required in-person classes will be held in Southern Maryland for students participating through the Ag Class Partnership throughout the semester on the following dates:

  • Monday, August 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the SMADC office
  • Monday, October 10 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the SMADC office
  • Saturday, November 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the North St. Mary’s County Farmers Market (37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622)
  • Monday, December 3 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the SMADC office

To enroll in the Ag Class Partnership and register for the course, complete the UMD IAA registration process and mail no later than August 6, 2018. Once enrolled, SMADC scholarships are available. $500 scholarships are awarded on a first come first serve basis to students from Southern Maryland who are enrolled in INAG 103: Agricultural Marketing. “We are happy to be able to offer this partnership again with the college, to bring this blended distance learning course to Southern Maryland. We believe the course is a great opportunity for farmers, college-age students, and working adults, who would like to participate and who don’t want to travel too far from home.” said Shelby Watson-Hampton, Director of SMADC.

To read the full details and access the application form, visit the SMADC ‘Ag. Continuing Education’ page under Education/Outreach at www.smadc.com. For questions, contact SMADC staff at 301-274-1922 x.1 or email info@smadc.com.

Apply to the IAA HERE