Agricultural Highlights, April 2014

 State Soil Conservation Committee Meeting Set For April 17

The State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) will meet Thursday, April 17, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. The meeting is open to the public and will focus on soil conservation and water quality program implementation and policy development. Established in 1938, the SSCC coordinates the activities of Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts, while advising the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to soil and water conservation. For more information, contact Louise Lawrence, Executive Secretary, 410-841-5863.

Lawn Care Professionals Must Be Certified by MDA to Apply Fertilizer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds citizens that hiring a certified lawn care professional to fertilize their lawns can help protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from nutrient runoff. Maryland’s new Lawn Fertilizer Law requires all lawn care professionals to be certified and licensed by MDA to apply fertilizer to the lawns that they manage. Citizens can verify that their lawn care provider is certified by visiting www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer. Scroll down the right column for the List of Certified Lawn Care Professionals.

Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Training Course Set for June 5 and 6
A two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training Class will be held Thursday and Friday, June 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lower level conference rooms at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. The course provides participants with an overview of areas covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam scheduled for August 1. Topics discussed include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations. Instructors are University of Maryland and government experts. The non-refundable registration fee is $125 and includes learning materials and lunch. Register by mail by May 16. For an application, visit www.mda.maryland.gov. Click on Nutrient Management and follow the links to “training classes.”

Nutrient Management Certification Exam Scheduled for August 1
The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam will be offered Friday, August 1, in Annapolis, Salisbury, and Boonsboro. Individuals who provide nutrient recommendations, professionals who provide technical assistance or are engaged in the development of waste management systems, nursery personnel, and farmers interested in developing nutrient management plans for other farmers are encouraged to take the exam. The cost is $50; however, government employees are exempt from the certification fee. For an application, visit www.mda.maryland.gov. Click on Nutrient Management and follow the links to “training classes.”
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The Maryland Agricultural Awareness Alliance, a coalition of federal, state and local agricultural agencies and commodity groups dedicated to educating Marylanders on agricultural issues.