HUGHESVILLE, Md.- The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is pleased to offer a college level agriculture class for the Southern Maryland region. Through an established partnership with the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) and SMADC, the course Agricultural Marketing will be available for the Spring 2019 Semester, online and through three in-person classes to be held at SMADC, located in Hughesville, Maryland, and one in Washington D.C.

“Following on the success of the IAA classes held earlier this year, we are delighted to be able to partner again with the college and bring this blended distance learning course to Southern Maryland. The goal of the classes is to provide accessible college level agriculture education for farmers, students, and working adults who don’t want to travel too far from home, and also expose them to the diversity of career and business opportunities in agriculture,” said Shelby Watson-Hampton, Director of SMADC.

The course being offered in Southern Maryland during the Spring of 2019 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 mandatory field trip day will be arranged for Southern Maryland students to visit the Dupont Circle Farmers Market in Washington, D.C.

Three required in-person classes will be held in Southern Maryland and one in Washington D.C. for students participating through the Ag Class Partnership throughout the semester on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, January 30th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the SMADC office
  • Wednesday, March 13th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the SMADC office
  • Sunday, April 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market (1500 20th Street NW, Washington D.C., 20036)
  • Wednesday, May 15th 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 January 14, 2019. 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.

“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.

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