Maryland Agricultural Highlights – October 2018

OCTOBER 2018

State Soil Conservation Committee to Meet October 18
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, October 18, 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 Hans Schmidt at 410-841-5865.

30^th Annual MAEF Banquet and Auction Set for November 1
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) will host its 30th annual banquet and auction Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Michael’s 8th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Tickets are $70 per person and may be purchased by calling 410-939-9030.  The reception begins at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30. Proceeds benefit MAEF’s agricultural educational outreach programs.

Nutrient Management Training To Be Held December 12
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer a workshop on Maryland’s agricultural nutrient management regulations Wednesday, December 12, at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel. The program awards six continuing education units in all agricultural nutrient management categories. The cost is $30 and covers learning materials and lunch. Seating is limited and admission is by prepaid registration only. To register, visit mda.maryland.gov. Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

2018-2019 Nutrient Management Voucher Training and Renewal Courses Announced
University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland Department of Agriculture will offer free nutrient applicator voucher training and renewal courses to farm operators who apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of cropland. The two-hour course is required by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Management Program once every three years for these operators. The courses are offered at locations statewide.  For a list of dates and locations, visit mda.maryland.gov. Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

Homeowners Should Hire Only Licensed and Certified Lawn Care Professionals 
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners that lawn care professionals hired to fertilize lawns must be certified and licensed by its Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program. In addition, fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus may not be applied near streams or if heavy rain is predicted. To further protect the Chesapeake Bay, fertilizer that lands on sidewalks or driveways must be cleaned up or swept back on the grass. For more information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer law and a list of licensed and certified lawn care professionals, visit 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.