Maryland Agricultural Highlights – February 2017

State Soil Conservation Committee Meeting Set For February 16
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, February 16, at 9:30 a.m. 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.

March 1 Filing Deadline Approaching for Nutrient Management Reports
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers that March 1 is the deadline for submitting Annual Implementation Reports summarizing nutrient applications made during calendar year 2016. Reporting forms and instructions were mailed in January to approximately 5,500 Maryland farmers who are regulated under Maryland’s Nutrient Management Program. Reporting forms are available on the department’s website, and at regional nutrient management offices and University of Maryland Extension offices. For more information, farmers should contact their regional nutrient management office or call the department at 410-841-5959.

Fertilizer Application Reports due March 1 for Licensed Professional Fertilizer Applicators
Licensed individuals and businesses that fertilize turf are required to file an Annual Fertilizer Application Report with the Maryland Department of Agriculture by March 1. The report outlines total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applied to turf by county. Reporting forms and instructions were mailed to all license holders in January. Additional copies are available on the department’s website. For more information, contact the department at 410-841-5959, or e-mail judy.mcgowan@maryland.gov or kelly.love@maryland.gov.

Continuing Education Webinars for Nutrient Management Consultants
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will host two live webinars on February 27 and March 27, from 2 – 4 p.m., for consultants and farmers certified by the Nutrient Management Program. Topics include effective cover cropping for nitrogen capture, changes to Maryland’s nutrient management regulations, and extreme weather and climate change. Participants will need access to a computer with a high speed internet connection. Two continuing education credits will be awarded for each webinar attended. To register, visit the department’s website.

Soil Conservation District Annual Report Available
The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) has released its 2016 annual report titled, We Go the Extra Mile Every Day for a Healthier Cleaner Chesapeake Bay. The report highlights how Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts are helping farmers meet nutrient and sediment reduction goals outlined in Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan to protect and restore the Bay by 2025. For a copy of the report, contact Lindsay Thompson at 443-262-8491 or lindsay.mdag@gmail.com.  The report also is available on the MASCD website.

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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.