UMES ALEI Present at Conferences
By: Samantha Capaldo and Nicole Cook
UMES and ALEI Legal Specialists, Nicole Cook and Samantha Capaldo, presented at two research symposia during the past quarter.
Association of 1890 Research Directors Symposium (ARD)
In April, Nicole and Samantha presented “Navigating Legal Risks in Agriculture: Building an 1890s Network for Research and Extension Capacity” at the 2026 ARD Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The goal of the workshop was to explore the critical intersection of agricultural and environmental law, focusing on the challenges and opportunities these overlapping areas present for research and Extension education. Participants learned about ALEI as a collaborative model between multiple universities, areas of risk for agricultural producers, and examples from UMES and ALEI work where Extension and research overlapped with agriculture and environmental law. Nicole and Samantha utilized this workshop to start discussions on building an 1890s network focused on agricultural and environmental law and risk management and hope to continue that conversation over the next year.
Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas Scientific Conference (NAPA)
In May, Samantha presented “Understanding Heirs’ Property at the Community Level: A Case of Maryland” at the 2026 NAPA Scientific Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The presentation focused on the workshops researchers and Extension educators at UMES conducted over a one-year period to educate the community on the problems, prevention, and resolution of heirs’ property. Workshop participants were asked to complete a post-workshop survey, and the results were compiled to assess learning and behavioral outcomes. Samantha’s presentation discussed some of the demographic information and self-reported learning and behavioral outcomes. The presentation lastly previewed a forthcoming pilot study to determine the prevalence of heirs’ property in Somerset County, Maryland. Samantha and Nicole will continue working on heirs’ property related issues throughout the rest of 2026.
