Agricultural Science and Technology

05/29/2026

Congratulations, Agricultural and Extension Education class of 2026!

You've trained to become educators, advocates,and community leaders who bridge the gap between research and real-world practice. Your work will empower farmers, strenghthen communities, and support the future of food systems. Your impact will be felt far beyond the classroom.

Congratulations again!🎊

05/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Meg Smosliski, a graduate student in our Master of Extension Education program, on receiving the UMD Graduate Student Distinguished Service Award!

This recognition reflects her exceptional dedication and meaningful contributions to our community and the graduate school.

Congratulations, Meg! This honor is truly well deserved.

04/27/2026

Maryland Day 2026 was a whole vibe!

From hatching eggs to meeting adorable chicks, Agricultural Science created awareness and shared the impact of Maryland agriculture and extension with the community🌾

04/25/2026

Happy Maryland Day 2026!

04/10/2026

There is no better time to plant a seed for your future horticulture passion!

Do you love plants, enjoy working with nature, and have a passion for sustainability and beautiful landscapes? Our Environmental Horticulture program is the perfect place to grow.

Our program offers hands-on learning through exciting field trips to orchards, research farms, greenhouses, and vegetable farms, giving you real-world experience.

With Dr. Cochran you will take specialized courses in fruit and vegetable production as well as landscape horticulture, all designed to provide hands-on learning through field trips to gardens, project sites, and practical experiences like pruning and plant care.

Contact us to grow your career in Horticulture!

psla.umd.edu

04/08/2026

Dr. Colby Silvert and his UMD colleague, Dr. Fabiana Cardoso, led a spring break study abroad program to Brazil that blended hands-on learning with global exploration for students with international agricultural, veterinary, and conservation interests. Students had meaningful opportunities to learn, engage with family and industrial agricultural practices, and build both International connections and applied research skills.

03/04/2026

Today is !

Consider making a difference today!
Your donation to the Department of Plant Science and Landscape architecture support our students and research that make a difference.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support!

Follow the links, donate and invest in success of our future students.
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/.../plant-science-and-landscape...
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/pomology-support-fund
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/agronomy-gift-fund
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/.../gouin-undergraduate...

02/18/2026

Welcome to our new Faculty members!

This semester we welcome two new faculty members to the department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

Jonathan Gemmell received his Masters in Landscape Architecture(MLA ) from our department in 2015. Completing a thesis focused on nature play, nature education, and environmental literacy. His teaching approach centers on integrating his professional experience as practicing landscape Architecture into the classroom, using real-world projects to illustrate practical applications of site design. Jonathan has been a practicing Landscape Architect, Since graduating from UMD, and he looks forward to contributing to the institution that shaped his graduate education.

Samuel Olumide received his Bachelors and Masters in Science degree in Horticulture from the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria (as well as at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria) in 2011 and 2016, respectively. He received his PhD in W**d Science from the same university in 2020. Sam joined the University of Florida where he earned a second Ph.D. in Agronomy in 2024. This past year Sam has been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Western Kansas Research Extension Center. His research and field of experience span a wide range of crop systems, including rice, pepper, okra, herbs such peppermint and basil, hem, cover crops such as rye, and wheat.

We are so glad to have you join us!

Please join us in welcoming our new faculty members.

02/13/2026

Congratulations Meg and Brilliant!
We are proud to celebrate Meg Smolinski and Brilliant Asamoah, Master of Extension Education students, who have been awarded the following scholarships.

🏅Meg Smoliski awarded - 2026 NALP foundation scholarship recipient
🏅Brilliant Asamoah - H. palmer Hopkins scholarship recipient

Join us in congratulating them.

Wishing you continued success!

02/06/2026