AGRICULTURAL MEDIA ADVISORY – APRIL 2010

A Monthly Update on Agricultural Issues and Events Taking Place Throughout Maryland

SSCC Meeting Set For May 20

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 20, 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 programs. 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.

Earth Day News: Maryland Teens Gear Up for First Round of Environmental Competitions 

Across Maryland, teenagers are grabbing their binoculars, pulling on their waterproof boots, and brushing up on their knowledge of soils as they gear up to take part in the first round of competitions leading up to the 2010 Canon Envirothon, North America’s largest and most prestigious natural resources event for high school students. Students participating in the Envirothon have been studying the state’s natural resources for the past year.  They have learned from the experts how to identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys, estimate wood yield from trees, and solve other complex natural resource issues.  Teams are tested in five areas: soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry and environmental issues.  The county team with the highest cumulative total wins their local competition and advances to the Maryland Envirothon, scheduled for June 24-25, at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center in Prince George’s County.  The winner of the Maryland Envirothon represents the state at the 2010 Canon Envirothon.  More than 300 of the brightest teenagers from across the United States and Canada will participate in this rigorous competition slated for later this summer at the University of California, Fresno.  For a complete list of county Envirothon competition dates and locations, visit the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation District’s web site.  Envirothon is sponsored by soil conservation districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee.

University of Maryland Open House and Ag Day Breakfast Set for April 24

The University of Maryland’s Open House and Ag Day event will take place Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its College Park campus with agricultural activities and events taking place in the Animal Sciences Courtyard.  The Alumni Chapter of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) will host a free “Make Your Own Omelet” breakfast in collaboration with the Maryland Egg Council starting at 8:30 a.m. for AGNR alumni and friends. To register, contact Daphne Stanley at 301 405 2128 or [email protected].

Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Training Course Set for June 1 and 2

A two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training Class will be held June 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lower level conference rooms at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  The course provides participants with an overview of areas covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam scheduled for August 6.   Topics include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations.   Call MDA at 410-841-5959 for a registration form or more information.

###

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