MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS – JUNE

Cover Crop Info in the Mail
Farmers interested in conserving nutrients, controlling soil erosion and protecting water quality by planting cover crops on their fields this fall should check their mailboxes for important information regarding sign-up for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2011-2012 Cover Crop Program.  This year, approximately $16 million is available to farmers who plant cover crops on their fields.  Farmers may plant traditional cover crops at a base rate of $45/acre and receive up to $55/acre in add-on incentive payments.  Harvested cover corps pay $25/acre with a bonus payment of $10/acre if rye is used as the cover crop.  There are no enrollment caps and certain restrictions apply. Sign-up for the 2011-2012 Cover Crop Program runs June 21 through July 15, 2011, at local soil conservation districts. For more information, contact MDA at 410-841-5864.

Nutrient Management Farmer Training and Certification Workshop Offered
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer a training and certification program for operators of pasture-based operations who are interested in becoming certified by MDA to write and update their own nutrient management plans. The workshop will take place over the course of four evenings on July 12, 14, 21 and 26, at the University of Maryland Extension office in Ellicott City. For more information, call 410-841-5959 or click here.

Nutrient Management Certification Exam Scheduled for August 6
The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam will be offered Friday, August 5, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  Individuals who want to become certified to write nutrient management plans for farmers should attend.  The cost is $50; however, government employees and farmers who have previously taken the exam are exempt from the exam fee.  To register, call the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5959 or click here.

###

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