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Deadline for Cover Crop Suppression/Reporting Extended to June 10 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Due to the continued rainy weather, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has extended the suppression/reporting deadline from June 2 to June 10 for farmers participating  in its 2015-2016 Cover Crop Program.

“Periods of extended rains this spring have kept many farmers from terminating this year’s cover crop,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Extending the killdown/reporting deadline will allow fields to dry so that farmers can get their equipment in place to begin the process.”

Cover crops are widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable ways for farmers to meet nutrient and sediment reduction targets outlined in Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay by 2025. Last year, Maryland farmers planted a record-setting 500,000 acres of protective cover crops on their fields.

Maryland’s Cover Crop program is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund.  Sign-up for next year’s program will begin June 24 and run through July 15, 2016 at local soil conservation district offices. Farmers should check their mailboxes in the next several weeks for details. In addition, information will be on the department’s website.

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Contact Information

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jessica Hackett
Director of Communications
Telephone: 410-841-5888

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