Maryland Agricultural Highlights – August 2017

State Soil Conservation Committee Meeting Set For August 17
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, August 17, 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.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops Offered September 19 and 26
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan September 19 at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown and September 26 at the Montgomery Extension Office in Derwood. The workshops are designed for people who are new to the nutrient management plan-writing process. Participants will learn how write a nutrient management plan using NuMan Pro, the nutrient management planning software program while earning six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement. To register, call 410-841-5959 or visit the department’s website for a registration form. Cost is $20. The registration deadline is September 15.

Homeowners Urged to Use Responsible Lawn Care Practices During Summer Months 
With summer in full swing, the Maryland Department of Agriculture urges homeowners to allow established lawns to go dormant during the hot, dry weather. Applying fertilizer to force a lawn to turn green during its dormancy period can damage the grass and contribute to nutrient pollution in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Dormant lawns will green up when cooler temperatures arrive and rainfall increases. To help shade grass and conserve moisture, raise the mower’s cutting height by ½ inch to 1 inch during periods of hot, dry weather and leave grass clippings on the lawn as a source of free fertilizer.  For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit the department’s website or University of Maryland Extension.

Ag Education Golf Outing and Fundraiser Set for September 13
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) and the Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association will sponsor a scholarship golf tournament on Wednesday, September 13 at Oakmont Green Golf Course, 2290 Golfview Lane in Hampstead. The registration fee is $125 per person and includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, and dinner.  Corporate/team sponsorships are available.  The registration deadline is September 8. Proceeds support the education and outreach programs of MAEF and the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association.  For a registration form or more information, call MAEF at 410-939-9030 or visit the foundation’s website.

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