The maryland agricultural experiment station (MAES) in the college of agriculture and natural resources (AGNR) at the university of maryland was first established in 1888 and currently fosters…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources $4,631,358 on October 1, 2025, under the Hatch Act formula grant program (CFDA 10.203) to conduct agricultural research.

The Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), established in 1888 and housed within the college, delivers research across plant and animal genomics, infectious diseases, animal health, vaccine development, plant and animal physiology, human health and nutrition, food safety, animal nutrition, environmental and ecosystem health, water quality, soil and watershed sciences, bioenergy, and horticulture and landscape design. Research is conducted in laboratories across six academic departments, campus greenhouses, and eight experimental research farms distributed across the Eastern Shore, Western, and Central Maryland regions within four Research and Education Centers. MAES research in 2026 prioritizes three critical issues: agricultural production and plant and animal health through cutting-edge technologies, genetic improvement, and vaccine development using biotechnology tools such as CRISPR; environmental stewardship and ecosystem resilience; and bioenergy development with emphasis on practical applications that strengthen agricultural productivity and rural economic benefit.

The award period runs through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in College Park, Maryland. This is a formula grant; under Hatch Act provisions, up to 100 percent of funds may be carried over for up to one year after the end of the appropriations year.

The maryland agricultural experiment station (MAES) in the college of agriculture and natural resources (AGNR) at the university of maryland was first established in 1888 and currently fosters research at all levels (e.g., molecular, cellular, organismic, and ecosystem) related to sustainable food and fiber production while considering economic and environmental viability. MAES serves the state through its research conducted in laboratories within the six academic departments of the AGNR (and two departments in the college of computer, mathematical, and natural sciences), campus greenhouses, and experimental farms located in the four research and education centers (RECS). The RECS house a total of eight experimental research farms located across different land resource and physiographic regions of maryland in the eastern shore, western and central maryland. Research in these facilities include plant and animal genomics, infectious diseases, animal health, vaccine development, plant and animal physiology, basic biology, human health and nutrition, food safety, animal nutrition, environmental and ecosystem health, water quality, soil and watershed sciences, bioenergy, horticulture and landscape design. Additional work addresses bioenergy and the interface between agricultural and aquatic environments, with emphasis on practical applications that strengthen agricultural productivity and rural economic benefit. MAES research funded with hatch aligns with current USDA's priorities and address AGNR's five strategic initiatives. There are four critical issues in our 2026 plan of work, but MAES research will focus on the following three, critical issues: (1) agricultural production, plant and animal health - AGNR's research will focus on advancing agricultural innovation through cutting-edge technologies, genetic improvement, and vaccine development to strengthen maryland's crop and livestock systems. Using state-of-the-art biotechnology tools such as crispr, researchers will enhance productivity, disease and pest resistance, and overall quality in crops and animals. Efforts will include breeding programs, genetic and agronomic studies, and animal health research to develop high-yielding, resilient, and locally adapted varieties and breeds. These initiatives aim to improve farm profitability, sustainability, and food security while supporting maryland's agricultural industries. (2) food, nutrition, health, and wellness - AGNR researchers will advance studies on diseases transmitted between animals and humans, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Major efforts will focus on poultry, cattle, and other livestock diseases to safeguard agricultural productivity and public health. The college will also pursue research on food safety, foodborne illnesses, and improving food access across maryland, as well as studies in nutrition and food science that will explore healthier diets and food choices to improve overall well-being. (3) natural resources and ecosystem health - AGNR's research will focus on conserving maryland's natural resources while ensuring agricultural productivity and economic vitality. Studies will advance conservation agriculture, nutrient management, integrated pest management, and sustainable practices such as no-till, cover cropping, and organic farming to enhance soil health, water quality, and ecosystem resilience. Researchers will investigate methods to reduce agricultural runoff, improve stormwater management, and restore wetlands and riparian buffers, supporting the health of the chesapeake BAY. Studies will also include the development of drought-tolerant crops, smart irrigation systems, agroforestry, and carbon sequestration strategies to help maryland agriculture address extreme weather conditions.