Agricultural Highlights – July 2015

SSCC Meeting Set For July 16, 2015

The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, July 16, 2015 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 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.

Cover Crop Sign-up Ends July 15

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds farmers that sign-up for its 2015-2016 Cover Crop Program runs through Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at soil conservation district offices statewide.  Approximately $22 million in conservation grants is available through the program to help farmers offset the cost of planting cover crops on their fields this fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  For more information, visit www.mda.maryland.gov and type “cover crops” on the search tab.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops Offered September 22 and 29, 2015

The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Montgomery County Extension Office in Derwood and Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. The course is aimed at newly certified consultants and provides six Maryland Nutrient Management continuing education credits. To register, call 410-841-5959 or visit www.mda.maryland.gov. Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

Homeowners Urged to Use Lawn Best Management Practices In Summer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture advises homeowners to mow the grass high to shade out weeds and conserve moisture during periods of hot, dry weather. Raise the mower’s cutting height by ½ inch to 1 inch and remember to leave grass clippings on the lawn as a source of free fertilizer.  For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or extension.umd.edu/hgic.

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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.