MDA Blog

May 30, 2015

Summer Fun on the Farm

By Joe Bartenfelder, Secretary Maryland Department of Agriculture

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the summer fun season. What better way is there to enjoy it than with friends and family on one of Maryland’s 12,300 farms?  There are several different ways you can visit a farm or enjoy new agricultural experiences.

Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail

June is National Dairy Month and visiting one of Maryland’s on-farm creameries is a great way to celebrate. We launched the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail three years ago to promote our dairy farmers and encourage Marylanders to visit a working farm. The trail is made up of eight dairy farms across the state that produce and sell ice cream directly to consumer. If you are traveling around Maryland this summer, you have an opportunity to visit at least one stop on the trail.

You will be able to pick up an Ice Cream Trail Passport at any of the creameries (or online at www.marylandsbest.net) by June 15. Completes the Ice Cream Trail passport by visiting every stop on the trail and answering a question from each creamery  by September 23. Send it in to us and you will be entered into a drawing to be named the 2015 Ice Cream Trail Blazer.

We will make an official announcement once the passports are available. In the meantime, you can practice by eating ice cream (and other local products) from Maryland farms now!

Maryland Horse Chase

In April, MDA launched the Maryland Horse Chase, the first-of-its-kind, statewide, equine scavenger hunt sponsored by the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within MDA. The chase helped introduce people to the joy of horses and to showcase the state’s new network of 35 Horse Discovery Centers.

More than 130 contestants trotted all across Maryland, completing challenges and earning points that were entered and geo-tracked on their cell phones. At stake, more than $10,000 worth of horse-related prizes and unforgettable experiences visiting some of Maryland’s most beautiful stables and getting to know their owners, trainers and handlers.

Top prize winners Alexandra and Russ Robinson of Anne Arundel County traveled 1,463 miles and visited 33 of the 35 stables and equine businesses to amass 4,980 and 4,840 points, out of a possible 5,000. (Alexandra completed more bonus points to edge out her husband.)

If you have always wanted to be around horses but don’t know enough about them, visit one of the new Horse Discovery Centers this summer. They’re waiting to introduce you to the wonderful world of horses.

Preakness and “Racing with Times”

Earlier this month, I had the honor of attending the sold-out world premier of “Racing the Times,” a Maryland Public Television documentary that tells the epic story of Maryland’s 300-year history with thoroughbred horses. It captures the exciting insights of historians, trainers, owners, jockeys and everyday people on Maryland’s horse racing heritage.  If you missed the show when it aired, you can watch the 90-minute documentary online at: http://video.mpt.tv/video/2365489079/

The 140th running of The Preakness Stakes was one for the history books! Not only did it draw a record crowd of more than 131,000, but by post time, a thunderstorm turned the racing surface into a sea of slop. At one point, the rain was coming down so hard we couldn’t see the horses and their jockeys. But the rain and thunder did not deter a drenched American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza from trouncing the field with a seven-length victory. Now it’s on to the Belmont Stakes and a chance for American Pharoah to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. Once again, the Preakness lived up to its hype as one of America’s greatest horse races and a true Maryland spectacle.

Revamping Maryland’s Best

 This month we revamped the state agriculture branding program, Maryland’s Best. The program started in 2001 to help consumers identify (and purchase) local agricultural products. Clearly, consumers want more local products, and we are stepping up our efforts to emphasize that agricultural products labeled ‘Maryland’s Best’ are local.

MDA has created a family of Maryland’s Best logos, including a new version that adds the words “Fresh” and “Local.” The current Maryland’s Best logo will remain available for use. All are available in color and black and white.

We hope that farmers see the value in using these logos on their produce boxes and in farm stands, and that grocery store chains and other food distributors will ask to use the logos for their Maryland products. There are tremendous opportunities for our farmers to benefit from the growing consumer demand for local agricultural products. We need to do all we can at MDA to help our farmers capture those opportunities.

Farmers, grocery stores, restaurants and food distributors who would like to use the Maryland’s Best logo and work with MDA to promote their Maryland products should contact our Marketing office at (410) 841-5779.

New Fair & Show Policy

 Many Marylanders are preparing to participate in agricultural fairs and shows across the state.  Because of the unprecedented incidences of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) currently in the U.S., we have revised the 2015 Fair and Show Requirements for Poultry. As of May 8, waterfowl will be not allowed to enter Maryland Fairs and Shows. All poultry, both in state and out of state poultry, must be tested for Avian Influenza within 10 days prior to entry, or they must originate from a NPIP Avian Influenza Clean or Monitored flock.

At this time, we are not closing Maryland Fairs and Shows to poultry other than for waterfowl. However, we are constantly monitoring the situation. If HPAI enters our region, we will cancel all poultry fairs and shows in the state.

The AI virus does not survive well in heat so let us all keep our fingers crossed that the dog days of summer will help keep our poultry healthy. And may all of us have a happy and safe summer.

April 24, 2015

Making Progress for Maryland Agriculture

By Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture

It has been a busy three months since I joined the Maryland Department of Agriculture to serve our agricultural community. I have kept my nose to the grindstone and we have all been working hard. This month, I will give you an update on some of the latest activities of the department. The 2015 General Assembly was already underway when I started. During this legislative session, we spent a significant amount of time working to defeat several anti-agriculture bills. The most notable were:

• HB 381 / SB 257 – would have turned the Phosphorous Management Tool regulations that were submitted in December into law, rather than regulation.
• HB 605 / SB 163 – would have required labeling for any nursery stock sold at either the retail or wholesale level that is treated with neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides, and banned homeowner use of these products.
• HB 928 – would have repealed the current exemption from the sales and use tax for the purchase of inputs for farm operations.
• HB 995 – would have banned the use of lawncare pesticides at child care centers, schools, and on recreations center sand fields used by children under 18.
• SB 463 / HB 701 – would have duplicated FDA regulatory oversight of antibiotic use in animal agriculture and created an unnecessary burden on MDA and Maryland animal producers.

Agriculture Phosphorus Initiative Update

MDA developed proposed Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) regulations, which were published in the April 3 Maryland Register and are open for public comment until May 4. The administration worked with legislative, environmental and agricultural stakeholders to revise and ultimately achieve consensus on the proposed regulations. For more information and the complete history about the regulations, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/PMT.

The PMT regulations are one part of Governor Hogan’s broader Agriculture Phosphorus Initiative, which also includes an on-farm economic analysis of the PMT. MDA is now recruiting 10 to 12 farm operations to provide a demonstration of implementation of the PMT, including farm-scale economic and operational implications. Farmers will commit to enroll 100 acres each in the analysis, maintain records and provide information to MDA over a two-year period. The intent is to better understand the issues resulting from the PMT and to enable more informed program development and resource allocation. Farmers who are interested in participating in the analysis should contact Dwight Dotterer, Dwight.Dotterer@maryland.gov or 410-841-5959.

High Path Avian Influenza

A new, deadly strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in the United States in December 2014. HPAI is heading east and has been confirmed in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways, which are migratory bird paths. As of April 20, it has been found in 54 locations in 13 states, affecting nearly 2.7 billion birds. The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as backyard and commercial poultry flocks.

MDA has started an outreach and education campaign to warn poultry flock owners and feed stores about the new strain. Our Animal Health staff has been working with key state agencies – including the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and relevant federal partners – to help ensure the state has the resources to handle the disease should it arrive here. HPAI poses a particularly significant economic threat to Maryland, especially the Eastern Shore. Although, this strain of bird flu is not currently known to be a threat to humans, flu viruses can mutate. If it does, the threat to public health could be significant. For more information on how to protect your flock, visit: http://mda.maryland.gov/AnimalHealth/Pages/poultry.aspx

Pesticide Use Survey

This month, MDA launched the enhanced Pesticide Use Survey, in cooperation with USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. MDA is encouraging farmers to participate in this voluntary survey, which will provide the department with comprehensive information about what pesticides are being used around the state and what trends are developing. The survey was developed, as recommended by the legislature’s Pesticide Use Work Group, in lieu of an expensive pesticide use database. This is the eighth pesticide use survey MDA has conducted since 1985. Maryland is the only state in the Chesapeake Bay region to comprehensively survey pesticide use. Enhancements over previous surveys include collection of intended use and time of year of application.

Maryland Horse Industry News

In horse-related news, the Maryland Horse Industry Board, a program within MDA that is charged with promoting the horse industry and licensing public stables, launched a statewide network of 35 Horse Discovery Centers in 15 counties in March. These centers are carefully selected, licensed stables that are welcoming people of all ages and experience levels into their barns to learn about horses. The designation is designed to bring new customers into these small businesses. The board also launched the Maryland Horse Chase – a statewide scavenger hunt (April 6 through April 26) that encourages people to visit and patronize horse stables and other equine events. As of April 14, nearly 900 people had visited the www.marylandhorsechase.com website and more than 25 percent filled out a form to play, at least in part.

Agricultural Legal Resources Available

I recently met with the University of Maryland Agricultural Law Education Initiative leaders.  We have started working with them to help farmers know about the services, publications and resources available through this program. The Ag Law initiative was created by the General Assembly in 2011 with the goal of preserving Maryland’s family farms; helping their owners address the complicated legal issues associated with agricultural estates and trusts, regulatory compliance, and other public policies that comprise what is known as agriculture law. As an example, this year, MDA working with the University of Maryland and Maryland Farm Bureau, launched a series of webinars for farms operating CSAs to help them develop model contracts and better handle labor and membership issues.

We are certainly working on many more issues as well here at MDA, but this gives you a good idea of the depth and breadth of the work underway. Next month I hope to update you on an exciting branding campaign we are working on to help consumers identify Maryland products in the marketplace. Until then, I hope you have a productive and bountiful planting season.

February 25, 2015

A Changing Maryland

Secretary Joe Bartenfelder

By Secretary Joe Bartenfelder

Greetings! It is my pleasure and honor to serve my fellow farmers under Governor Larry Hogan and Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. I look forward to visiting with Maryland’s agriculture community as I travel across our great state to see first-hand the diversity and strength of our leading industry.

For those I have not yet met, I’d like to introduce myself. I am a fifth generation farmer. The Bartenfelders started farming in Baltimore County in the 1840s. My great-grandfather purchased the homestead farm in 1903 in what is now the Nottingham/White Marsh area. We have been farming in Caroline County since 1997 and expanded into Dorchester County in 2011. I grew up on a farm and for more than 35 years, I have been a full-time farmer and small businessman. My family primarily grows vegetables that we sell wholesale and at the Baltimore City Farmers’ Market. We also have two broiler houses and grow wheat, soybeans, and corn.

In addition to farming, I have spent nearly 30 years in elected office. From 1983 to 1994, I served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 8 (Baltimore County). Then, from 1994 to 2010, I served as a member of the Baltimore County Council (chair, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2009).

Today, it is truly humbling for me to represent and advocate on behalf of the industry I know best. The support and response I’ve received from farmers, members of the General Assembly and the general public since Governor Hogan asked me to serve has been overwhelmingly gratifying. I am equally pleased and humbled to work for a governor who is dedicated and determined to serve agriculture; a governor who understands that Maryland farmers were the original environmentalists and stewards of the land, and we will continue to be.

Farms are critical to Maryland’s economy and priceless rural heritage. My goals while serving as Secretary include:

• Helping farmers to diversify their businesses and to capitalize on expanding marketing opportunities arising from the growing consumer demand for local agricultural products and desire to better understand where their food comes from;
• Rebuilding farmer trust that the department is a resource to them; and
• Working with elected officials, policy makers and the general public to ensure they know about the importance of Maryland agriculture to our quality of life and the overall economy.

I will work with farmers across the state to strengthen the agricultural community as well as support farmers who are diversifying their farms to create new opportunities for future generations.

For example, there is a tremendous marketing opportunity for Maryland farmers interested in transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture. Following a national trend, there is a growing consumer demand for organically grown food, and supply is not currently meeting that demand. The opportunity is not limited to just fruit and vegetable growers; the organic market includes poultry, grain, beef, swine, eggs and more. The department is going to be looking at ways to help those farmers who are interested in learning more about transitioning to organic.

While we need to stay close to Annapolis during the legislative session, I plan to tour all parts of the state and visit agricultural operations. If you would be interested in participating and or have us visit your farm, we would be glad to hear from you. Please contact MDA Communications Director Julie Oberg at 410-841-5888 or julie.oberg@maryland.gov.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas about how we can reach our goals more effectively and efficiently. And I look forward to working with you all to ensure farming has a lasting and bright future in Maryland.