Maryland Agricultural Highlights – June 2018

JUNE 2018

State Soil Conservation Committee to Meet June 21
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, June 21, at 9:30 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. 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, at 410-841-5863.

Information on Grants to Plant Cover Crops in the Mail
Farmers who want to plant cover crops this fall to build healthy soils, control erosion, recycle unused plant nutrients and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries should check their mailboxes for important information regarding the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2018-2019 Cover Crop Sign-Up. Approximately $22.5 million in conservation grants is available to help farmers offset costs associated with planting cover crops in their fields this fall. Sign-up runs from June 21 to July 17 at local soil conservation districts. For more information, call 410-841-5864 or visit mda.maryland.gov.

Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam and Training Offered 
Lawn care professionals who want to become certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to apply fertilizer to turfgrass may register for one of the upcoming certification classes: July 12 in Montgomery County, August 2 in Washington County, October 16 in Anne Arundel County or December 11 in Wicomico County. Optional training sessions are offered before the exam. Lawn care professionals hired to apply fertilizer to turfgrass are required by law to be certified or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. The requirement is a primary component of Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law. To register for a certification exam, visit mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

LEAD Maryland Now Accepting Applications 
The LEAD Maryland Foundation is seeking applications for the next class of LEAD Fellows. LEAD works to increase the number of leaders serving agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Program participants will complete a series of multi-day seminars held throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. in 2019 and 2020 along with a travel study tour and class project. Program information and applications are available at www.leadmaryland.org. Completed applications are due October 1. The LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program is a University of Maryland Extension program serving the entire state. The LEAD Maryland Foundation funds a large share of the program, directs curriculum delivery, and provides other support. Contact Susan Harrison at 410-827-8056 or leadmd@umd.edu for more information.

Homeowners Reminded to Fertilize Lawns Responsibly
With the hot weather kicking in, the Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners that fertilizer should only be applied to lawns when the grass is actively growing. To prevent runoff, fertilize warm season grasses (Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass) in late spring or early summer and cool season grasses (fescues, bluegrass) in fall. Keep fertilizer at least 10 feet away from streams and waterways and never fertilize if heavy rains are expected. For more tips on fertilizing responsibly, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

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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.