Agricultural Highlights – May 2015

SSCC Meeting Set For May 21

The State Soil Conservation Committee will meet Thursday, May 21, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture 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 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.

Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Training Course Set for June 15 and 16

A two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training Course will be held Monday and Tuesday, June 15 & 16 in the lower level conference rooms at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  The training provides participants with an overview of material covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Examination scheduled for August 7. Topics include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations. The non-refundable registration fee is $125 and includes learning materials and lunch. Register by mail by June 1. To download the registration form.

Renewal Forms for Lawn Care Professionals Will Be Mailed in June

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will mail renewal forms for certified professional fertilizer applicators, business license holders, and trained employees in early June. 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 Reminds Homeowners to Use Best Management When Caring for Lawns

With the arrival of warm weather, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages homeowners to use best management practices to maintain and enhance the health and beauty of their lawns and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Homeowners are reminded to sharpen lawnmower blades for a clean cut, mow the grass high to shade out weeds and conserve moisture, and remove no more than 1/3 of the grass height at each mowing. In addition, grass clippings should be left on lawns to provide free fertilizer. For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

###

The Maryland Agricultural Awareness Alliance, a coalition of federal, state and local agricultural  agencies and commodity groups dedicated to educating Marylanders on agricultural issues.