AGRICULTURAL MEDIA ADVISORY – OCTOBER 2009

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

Next SSCC Meeting Scheduled for October 15
The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 9:30 a.m. 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.

Field Day for Dairy Farmers Set for October 22, in Frederick County
A free field day highlighting opportunities for nitrogen conservation on dairy farms will be held Thursday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Savage-Leigh Farm, 1129 Brentland Road in Knoxville, Md.  The program will offer practical strategies that can be incorporated into farm management practices to improve nitrogen conservation and reduce fertilizer costs.  In the morning, University of Maryland Extension and USDA Agricultural Research Service experts will discuss the latest innovations in nutritional strategies, manure application approaches that maximize nitrogen conservation and plant residue, and the economic benefits of conserving nitrogen on dairy farms.  The afternoon program offers field demonstrations that include minimum disturbance tillage equipment for manure incorporation, no-till manure injection, cover crop seeding techniques, and straw cover for manure storage.  The workshop, demonstrations, and lunch are free. Participants receive five continuing education credits from the Maryland Nutrient Management Program.  Register by Friday, October 16, 2009.  Contact Christina Maroulis-Castro of the University of Maryland Extension, Frederick County office at 301-600-3576 or [email protected].

MAEF Banquet and Auction Set for November 5
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) will host its 21st annual banquet and auction Thursday, November 5, at Michael’s 8th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive in Glen Burnie, Md. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased by calling 410-939-9030.  Proceeds benefit MAEF’s ag educational outreach programs.

Nutrient Management Education Course to be Held December 15
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Maryland will offer a free one-day continuing education course on how to use the latest version of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) to estimate soil losses.  The course will take place Tuesday, December 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Maryland College Park.  Participants receive six Maryland Nutrient Management Program continuing education credits.  Contact MDA’s Mike Webster at 410-841-5959 or [email protected].