Media Advisory: It’s Harvest Season – Look Out for Farm Equipment

MEDIA ADVISORY

It’s Harvest Season – Look Out for Farm Equipment

Keep Maryland Open for Business

WHAT:  Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and partners launch Farm Equipment Traffic Safety Campaign.  Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Department of Agriculture are partnering in an education outreach campaign to urge drivers to use caution when approaching farm vehicles/equipment, especially on rural routes.

WHO:  Greg Slater, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administrator; Chuck Fry, Maryland Farm Bureau President; Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary

WHEN: Thursday, September 27 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:   Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc.; 3358 Davidsonville Road; Davidsonville, MD 21035

WHY:       

• Fall harvesting season is September 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018.
• Maryland boasts 12,300 farms that cover 2,030,000 million acres.
• Top agricultural commodities in Maryland are (1) broilers, (2) greenhouses and nurseries, (3) dairy, (4) corn for grain and (5) soybeans.
• US 50 and MD 235 are two corridors in Maryland that are heavily traveled by commuters in passenger vehicles as well as farm equipment.
• MDOT SHA is placing electronic message signs to remind drivers to expect to encounter farm equipment on rural routes during the harvest period, and to approach and pass equipment with caution.

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