AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS – NOVEMBER 2010

SSCC Meeting Set For November 18

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, November 18, 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.

Maryland Farm Fresh Turkeys and Other Local Products Available for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day cooks seeking the freshest possible turkey for the family feast should visit MarylandsBest.net. The website, an extension of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Department, lists over 40 farms throughout the state that sell farm-fresh turkeys. Consumers can also find local cheeses, wines, and other Maryland products to serve during the holidays.

Nutrient Management Workshop for Grounds Managers & Athletic Field Directors Set for December 2

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Nutrient Management Program and the University of Maryland Extension will offer a continuing education workshop on Nutrient Management for Grounds Managers and Athletic Field Directors Thursday, December 2, at MDA’s headquarters building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  The workshop is designed for grounds managers who are responsible for applying fertilizer or other nutrients to turf, trees or landscape plants.  The registration deadline is November 19, and the cost of the workshop is $15.  To register, call 410-841-5959 or visit www.mda.state.md.us.  Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

Nutrient Management Training Class Offered December 15

An introduction to the new upgraded version of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) will be offered Wednesday, December 15, at the University of Maryland College Park. RUSLE2 is an electronic interface used to estimate soil loss on cropland and is an important tool in calculating the Maryland Phosphorus Site Index.  The new Windows-based version of the program uses six factors that represent the effects of rainfall, soil erodibility, slope length, slope steepness, cover management and support practices to compute estimated soil erosion.  NRCS technical service providers and certified nutrient management consultants are encouraged to attend the free program.  Six continuing education credits are available for nutrient management consultants.   To register, contact Mike Webster at 410-841-5959 or [email protected].

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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.