Agricultural Highlights – April 2015

SSCC Meeting Set For April 16

The State Soil Conservation Committee will meet on Thursday, April 16, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 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 State Soil Conservation Committee 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 lawn care professionals hired to fertilize their lawns must be licensed and certified by MDA.  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.

MDA Offers Training and Certification Classes for Turf Grass Pros

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has posted a new schedule of training sessions and certification exams for turf grass professionals who must now be licensed and certified to apply fertilizer to lawns that they manage under Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law. The law is designed to help protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from excess nutrients applied to lawns and other grassy areas. Upcoming sessions will be held May 5, May 19, June 11 and June 18 in Central Maryland; June 2 on the Eastern Shore, and June 12 in Western Maryland. Turf grass professionals should visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer to register.

University of Maryland Open House and Ag Day Breakfast Set for April 25

The University of Maryland’s Open House and Ag Day event will take place Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its College Park campus with agricultural activities and events taking place in the Animal Sciences Building, Plant Sciences Building, campus farm, barns and courtyards. For a complete schedule of events visit: http://www.marylandday.umd.edu/. In addition, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alumni are invited to make omelets with Maryland Egg Council members in the morning. Reservations are required. Call 301-405-2434.

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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.