Elizabeth Ridenour Week 1

My APHA mare Ivy, dog Queenie, and Me!

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Liz Ridenour, and I am one of the Summer 2026 University of Maryland Extension Workforce Development interns. I will be working primarily with Amanda Grev and Brittany Fletcher at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center (WMREC) in Keedysville, MD, as well as with Jeff Semler at the Washington County Extension Office down the road from WMREC.  I'll be doing a variety of things from this location including assisting in a forage research project at WMREC using sheep and cattle, attending and assisting with educational events on forage and livestock throughout the state, and helping with the Washington County Fair. 

I am super excited for this internship as an opportunity to develop my professional and educational skills in extension education. This spring, I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Animal and Avian Sciences, and I plan to pursue a master's degree in agricultural extension education this fall. I grew up riding and showing horses, and I've worked with thoroughbreds since high school, (both breeding horses and racing horses) as well as in the rehabilitation of injured sport horses. My career goal is to work in the field of extension education primarily as an equine specialist, but my interests also include small ruminants, pasture management, and youth development. I am also an avid gardener, and I spend much of my free time researching invasive and native plants and wild edibles, growing plants, and working in my garden. 

Katahdin/Dorper sheep at WMREC

Day 1 of this internship for me was on Tuesday, May 26th, and I was immediately hands-on with the animals in our research project, weighing and body condition scoring both the sheep and the cattle and FAMACHA scoring the sheep. I'm looking forward to continuing working with them throughout the summer. 

Later in the week, on May 28th, I had the opportunity to participate in a pasture walk at Blue Moon Farm in Gaithersburg, MD, led by Amanda Grev. We toured a privately-owned equine farm and had discussions on rotational grazing, pasture management, composting and waste disposal, and watering systems. A variety of people showed up to the pasture walk, ranging from professionals in the field of agriculture to beginner horse and livestock farmers, and it was super interesting to hear their backstories and how they came to be interested in pasture management. 

 I'm looking forward to a great summer of learning!