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Read about the forums scheduled for:
Page updated:
March 9, 2011
Presented in partnership with the Rural Maryland Council, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Extension Service, and Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)
Background: This 18-month program, funded by the U.S. Small Business administration, will marry TEDCO's core competencies of commercializing technology out of federal laboratories with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) technologies available for licensing or research partnerships. ARS has significant potential as catalyst in the region for new technologies and offers numerous opportunities for area farmers, businesses and entrepreneurs. These technologies will be showcased in the rural areas of Maryland where the likelihood of successful technology transfer is high.
Showcases (or Forums): TEDCO will host showcases featuring relevant technologies available from the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) in five rural regions of Maryland: Southern, Western, Northeastern, Lower Eastern Shore and Upper Eastern Shore. The showcases will highlight technologies available through ARS that are pertinent to the specific geographical region. Showcases are targeted for technology company executives, agricultural producers, financial lenders, investors and economic development officials.
Showcase Planning: Planning meetings will be held in each of the five regions with the TEDCO regional TAS, USDA ARS Office of Technology Commercialization, state agricultural directors and economic development officials and other interested parties. The TEDCO RBI2 staff will work with regional stakeholders to identify technologies that may be of particular interest to that region. Potential technologies include new agricultural products, renewable energy technology, nutritional technology, and biotechnology. Programs will be designed to meet the needs of the region. The TAS and TEDCO staff will work with ARS to identify the researchers to present at the showcase.
Post Showcase Assistance: Once opportunities are identified, companies will receive business assistance through TEDCO's Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBI2). The RBI2 program provides intensive business assistance to technology based companies in the rural regions of Maryland as established by the Rural Maryland Council at no cost to the company. In addition, some companies/organizations may be eligible for up to $75,000 in seed funding through TEDCO's Maryland Technology Transfer & Commercialization Fund (MTTCF).
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and USDA Agricultural
Research Service held a Rural Agricultural and Business Innovation Forum to
discuss current farming issues in northeast rural Maryland on April 26 from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the
Clarion Hotel in Aberdeen. The Rural Maryland Council was
pleased to be a partner in this event. The agenda is shown below.
8:30 a.m. -- Welcome and Plenary Session.
9:00 a.m. -- Morning Program
Energy Crops and Energy Production
Cattle and Dairy
Funding
11:45 p.m. -- Lunch and Networking with Scientists
12:45 p.m. -- Afternoon Session. Moderator - Jim Poulos, Director of USDA-BARC.
3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Wrap-Up and Networking
This is the fourth of five rural business innovation forums. The upper-midshore
forum is scheduled for August 2011.
This forum was originally scheduled for Jan. 27 and was postponed until March 8 due to inclement weather.
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and USDA Agricultural Research Service held the Maryland Rural Agricultural Shellfish and Business Innovation Forum: Innovations and Technological Solutions Addressing Challenges Impacting Southern Maryland Agri-Businesses and Oystermen. The Rural Maryland Council is pleased to be a partner in this event. Scientists from ARS and the University System of Maryland and Maryland Extension who have practical product development experience, lead round table discussions with agriculture professionals, and local farmers and growers.
The agricultural track focused on profitable alternative crops
and products including potatoes, catnip and lavender. The afternoon program will
cover sustainable land management, farming systems, crop modeling and land
conservation programs. There will also be a special luncheon and networking session for all attendees.
The aquaculture track focused on profitability, species suitable for the region, and examples of successful oyster growing.
ATTENDEES WILL LEARN ABOUT:
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
The goal of this forum is to bring together key stakeholders to address the
issues and additional inputs that are needed for Southern Maryland farmers/growers
to adopt solutions. In addition, organizations will present creative funding
opportunities to implement new technology. Registration is $25 per person
TEDCO's Lower Shore Rural Agricultural and Business Innovation Forum will be held Thursday, December 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Fountains, 1800 Sweet Bay Drive, Salisbury. The Rural Maryland Council is a partner in these forums. The forum is entitled: Innovations and Technology Solutions Addressing Challenges Impacting Lower Shore Agri-Business
The morning program will focus on improved land use - ornamental plant production, watershed management, and cover crops. The afternoon program will focus on green poultry production - renewable energy, litter management, and probiotics. A more detailed agenda will be released soon.
The round table discussions require active participation by scientists, ag professionals, farmers, growers and processors. The participating scientists represent USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University System of Maryland. They not only have practical on-farm/nursery experience, but have products in the market place that address the specific topic issues.
The two goals of the Forum are:
Who Should Attend:
Farmers/growers, poultry processors, agricultural specialists, natural
resources experts, government and community development organizations
Registration is $25 per person and closes November 26, 2010. Register now.
Attendees will learn:
8 a.m.: Registration
8:30 a.m.: Welcome
8:40 a.m.: Improved Land Use
11:30 a.m.: Lunch and Networking
12:45 p.m.: Green Poultry Production
3:20 p.m.: Wrap-Up and Adjourn
3:25 p.m.: Networking
4 p.m.: Forum Concludes<
See the Lower Shore Forum flyer.
Title: Innovations and Technological Solutions Addressing
Challenges Impacting Western Maryland Agri-Businesses
When: Thursday, September 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Rocky Gap near Cumberland.
This round table discussion will encourage active participation by the speakers, ag professionals, and farmers/growers. The speakers are scientists from ARS who have practical on-farm/nursery experience and have products in the market place that address the specific topic issues.
The goal of the forum is to get ARS, farmers/growers, extension service, rural development, funding sources, and the regulatory agencies at the table at the same time to address the issues, and what additional input is needed by the farmers/growers to adopt the solutions.
Who Should Attend?
Why Should You Attend?
Agenda
8:30 a.m. -- Morning Program:
A discussion about innovations in dairy farm management and niche market cheese production.
11:30 a.m. Special Luncheon for All Attendees:
A Presentation on Creative Funding Mechanisms for Farm Innovations: USDA, TEDCO, and MARBIDCO will discuss
funding programs available to bring innovation to the farms.
12:45 p.m. Afternoon Program:
A discussion about medicinal plant and specialty crop production and products.
Register online at www.marylandtedco.org or by calling 1-800-305-5556 Deadline to register is September 13, 2010. Registration fee is only $25.
This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA's funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.