December 23, 2025

Department Announces Revised EVSE Charger Registration Updates 

Department Announces Revised EVSE Charger Registration Updates 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 23, 2025)—The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced the registration deadline for EVSE chargers in the State of Maryland has been extended to July 1, 2026. This decision has been made to allow ample time for stakeholder engagement and the implementation of necessary amendments that will ensure the program effectively meets the evolving needs of the industry and the community.

In conjunction with the deadline extension, the department is also clarifying and introducing several key exceptions and definitions regarding the registration of charging equipment.

The following categories of charging equipment are not required to be registered under the program:

• Private Residence Chargers: Charging equipment located at private residences and exclusively used for personal purposes. These chargers are explicitly not considered commercially available.
• Single Fleet Chargers: Chargers used exclusively to fuel a private or proprietary fleet of vehicles, where no commercial transactions for charging occur with outside parties.
• Multi-Family Dwelling (MFD) Resident Chargers: Chargers installed on the property of a multi-family housing community may be exempt if all the following requirements are strictly met:
  • The equipment is physically installed on the property of the housing development.
  • The charger is not located on a public street, in a public parking lot, or within a public parking garage.
  • The charger is secured and cannot be accessed by the general public, including casual visitors or non-residents of the community.
  • The equipment is designated and used exclusively for the residents of the community.
  • Permanent signage must be clearly posted at the charging location stating, “Not a Public Charger – Residential Use Only.”
  • The charging location and equipment must be explicitly removed from being listed on any publicly available electric vehicle charging network websites or applications.
  • If MFD chargers are listed on public websites as an available location, or if any fees (beyond the cost of electricity) are assessed for their use, they will be required to register.

• Free Chargers: Any charging station where the vehicle operator incurs absolutely no cost or fee of any kind for the charging session. “Free” means free. If a fee of any kind is established—even if nominal—registration will be required. Any established fee must be in addition to the kilowatt-hour dispensed to fuel the vehicle.
• Workplace Chargers – Private Use: Chargers intended for the exclusive use of a company’s fleet and/or its employees are exempt, provided the following conditions are met:
  • The chargers are strictly available for fleet and employee charging purposes only.
  • The charging area is in a restricted area, such as behind a secure fence or within a controlled-access building, and is not accessible to the general public.
  • The chargers are not listed or made available on any public electric vehicle charging networks or platforms.

“The decision to extend the registration deadline to July 1, 2026 will allow the department to facilitate more extensive and meaningful dialogue with the electric vehicle charging industry, local governments, and the community at large,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “This extended timeline will allow us to incorporate critical feedback and make the necessary formal amendments to the program’s structure and regulations, ensuring the program is effective, fair, and supportive of the state’s electric vehicle adoption goals while meeting the practical needs of all stakeholders.”

For more information about the EVSE charger program please visit mda.maryland.gov.

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December 20, 2025

Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Queen Anne’s County

ANNAPOLIS, MD  (December 20, 2025)—  The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a presumptive positive case of H5 avian influenza in a commercial broiler farm in Queen Anne’s County. This is the second case of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) on a commercial poultry farm in Queen Anne’s County this year and the tenth case in Maryland in 2025. State officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties are being or have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from affected flocks will not enter the food system.

Confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory is pending with final results anticipated in the coming days.   

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. This virus affects poultry, like chickens, ducks, and turkeys, along with some wild bird species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, and raptors.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, the risk of transmission between birds and the general public is low. Those who work directly with poultry or dairy farms may be more at risk and should follow key biosecurity practices. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture continues to urge growers and backyard flock owners to enhance biosecurity practices and become familiar with what to do if HPAI is suspected in a flock. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention share more guidance here.

• Look for signs of illness. Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases.

• Report suspected sick birds:

• To report a possible case of HPAI in a commercial or backyard flock, call the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5810.  

• Commercial chicken growers and backyard flock owners can email questions about the outbreak to [email protected].

• To report a sick wild bird in Maryland, call the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Services hotline at (877) 463-6497 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Key biosecurity practices:  

• Clean and disinfect transportation. Don’t walk through or drive trucks, tractors, or equipment in areas where waterfowl or other wildlife feces may be. If you can’t avoid this, clean your shoes, vehicle, and equipment thoroughly to prevent bringing disease agents back to your flock.  This is especially important when visiting with farmers or those who hunt wildfowl such as when gathering at a local coffee shop, restaurant, or gas station.  

• Remove loose feed. Don’t give wild birds, rodents, and insects a free lunch. Remove spilled or uneaten feed right away, and make sure feed storage units are secure and free of holes. Wild birds can carry HPAI.

• Keep visitors to a minimum. Only allow those people who take care of your poultry to come in contact with your birds,  including family and friends. Make sure everyone who has contact with your flock follows biosecurity principles.

• Wash your hands before and after coming in contact with live poultry.  Wash with soap and water. If using a hand sanitizer, first remove manure, feathers, and other materials from your hands because disinfectants will not penetrate organic matter or caked-on dirt.

• Provide disposable boot covers (preferred) and/or disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with your flock. If using a footbath, be sure to remove all droppings, mud, or debris from boots and shoes using a long-handled scrub brush BEFORE stepping into the disinfectant footbath, and always keep it clean. 

• Change clothes before entering poultry areas and before exiting the property.
  Visitors should wear protective outer garments or disposable coveralls, boots, and headgear when handling birds, and shower and/or change clothes when leaving the facility.  

• Clean and disinfect tools or equipment before moving them to a new poultry facility. Before allowing vehicles, trucks, tractors, or tools and equipment—including egg flats and cases that have come in contact with birds or their droppings—to exit the property, make sure they are cleaned and disinfected to prevent contaminated equipment from transporting disease. Do not move or reuse items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected—such as cardboard egg flats.

For more information on High Path Avian Influenza in Maryland please visit: https://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/AvianFlu.aspx. 

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December 17, 2025

 Maryland Horse Industry Board Awards Grant Recipients for 2026

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 17, 2025) — The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, has announced the award of $20,680 in competitive grants to 35 organizations and equine operations representing a wide range of disciplines, regions, and community-based programs across the state. Awards were selected from a highly competitive pool of 56 applications.

Funding for the grants is provided through the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland. Since its establishment in 2002, the Feed Fund has enabled the Board to award nearly $700,000 to more than 500 projects, strengthening Maryland’s equine industry from within.

“As the horse industry continues to work together as a unified horse ecosystem, we are better able to see both the breadth of the industry and where opportunities for growth exist,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “These grants highlight the innovation, collaboration, and commitment that make Maryland’s horse industry such an important part of our agricultural economy.”

This year’s grants support programs across 14 of Maryland’s 23 counties and reflect a growing emphasis on workforce development, youth education, equine-assisted therapy, public outreach, emergency preparedness, and professional training. Funded projects include expanded youth and young adult equine education programs such as the Maryland Horse Career Program, statewide outreach initiatives such as Horseland’s educational programming, advanced training for law enforcement and emergency responders, and a wide range of therapeutic and wellness programs that leverage the unique benefits horses provide to individuals and communities.

“What stands out in the horse industry is the diversity and impact of the programs being supported,” said Anne Litz, Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board. “From career pathways and youth horsemanship to mental health, public safety, and community engagement, these grants reflect a modern, inclusive horse industry that reaches far beyond one sector. The Board is proud to invest in programs that strengthen Maryland’s horse ecosystem while delivering tangible benefits to people across the state.”

Grant projects are evaluated based on their value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, scope and scale, financial need, potential for matching funds, overall benefit, and quality of the application. Individual grants are capped at $2,000 to allow funding to reach as many projects as possible. Projects are required to be completed by June 30, 2026, and all recipients must submit a final report detailing use of funds and project outcomes.

A full list of grant recipients and project descriptions is available on the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s website at https://mda.maryland.gov/horseboard/Pages/grants.aspx

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Established in 1998, the Maryland Horse Industry Board works to promote and develop Maryland’s equine industry through education, outreach, and strategic investment. More information about the Board and its grant programs can be found online. Please contact MHIB Executive Director Anne Litz 667-408-0407, [email protected] for questions or for more information. 

December 16, 2025

Department’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program Announces FY26 Grant Recipients 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 16, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program has announced 38 grant projects will receive funding to efficiently and effectively facilitate, promote, and increase spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in Maryland. Grants are selected by a seven-member advisory board, appointed by the Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, that reviews all grant applications and provides funding recommendations to the Secretary. 

These projects will receive a total of $1,001,665.00 in funding to complete 14,444 spay and neuter surgeries for pets of low-income Marylanders, and free-roaming unowned cats. Projects will begin on January 1, 2026, and will conclude when grant funding is exhausted, or December 31, 2026. Recipients include government animal shelters and 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare organizations. A full list of grant awardees can be found on the Spay and Neuter Grants Program website, where you can also find lists of all active owned pet projects and feral cat projects. 

“Maryland’s Spay and Neuter program is highly successful, providing vital funding to numerous organizations that work to control the state’s pet population,” stated Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “The organizations receiving these grants perform an outstanding job delivering essential services to their communities.”

Launched in 2014 with the purpose of reducing intake and euthanasia in Maryland shelters, the Spay and Neuter Grants Program is funded through fees paid by the pet food industry for each product they register to sell within the state. To date, the program has awarded $9,827,838 in funds, totaling 355 grant projects that collectively have completed over 143,232 spay and neuter procedures. 

The FY27 grant application cycle will open on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00pm, and close on April 17, 2026 at 5:01pm. Please visit the program website for application instructions and other information which is now available. The applications will be posted on this page at 12:00pm on January 16, 2026.

For questions about the program or the grant applications, please contact the Spay and Neuter Grants Program Coordinator, Jen Swanson, at (410) 841-5766 or [email protected].

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Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept 

December 11, 2025

Maryland Farm & Harvest Visits Locations in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Frederick, Howard, and Kent Counties During December 16 Episode

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 11, 2025)– Maryland Public Television’s popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its 13th season, will feature farms and locations in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Frederick, Howard, and Kent counties during an episode premiering on Tuesday, December 16. An episode preview is available on the series’ webpage at mpt.org/farm.

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT and online at mpt.org/livestream. Episodes are also available to view live and on demand using the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player. 

The popular weekly series takes viewers on a journey across the Free State, telling engaging and enlightening stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow agriculture in Maryland, the state’s number one commercial industry. 

With introductions filmed at Boordy Vineyards in Hydes (Baltimore County), the December 16 episode features the following stories:

• Solar Farming (Howard and Kent counties): Since the birth of agriculture, farmers have relied on the sun to grow their crops. Now, that energy is being harnessed to power homes and businesses. As demand for renewable energy grows, finding the delicate balance between using solar energy to power farms and using farmland for solar panels has divided families, friendships, and farmers alike. Two families – brothers Chris and Rob Davis of Rich Levels Grain in Galena and the Stonesifer/Dixon family of Triple Creek Farm in West Friendship – share their perspectives and experiences with solar farming, unveiling the economic opportunities, complex realities, and hidden struggles behind the push for renewable energy in rural landscapes.
• McClintock Distilling (Cecil and Frederick counties): To honor the legacy of Maryland’s historic rye whiskey tradition and differentiate themselves from competitors, Braeden Bumpers and Tyler Hegamyer of McClintock Distilling in Frederick painstakingly seek out organic heritage grains sourced from local farmers. Viewers meet one of those farmers – Paul Drummond of Wallin Organic Farm in Warwick, who grows organic Spooner rye – and follow a harvest back to McClintock, where it is processed and distilled into whiskey.
  

• The Local Buy: Governor’s Buy Local Cookout (Anne Arundel County): Al Spoler attends the annual Governor’s Buy Local Cookout in Annapolis, hosted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There, Al visits some of the many restaurants, bakeries, and other local businesses to sample a variety of Maryland’s tastiest treats. He also takes viewers behind the scenes of the cookout’s “People’s Choice Award” competition and speaks with Governor Wes Moore and Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks about the importance of buying locally produced products. 

More than 19 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to more than 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 12 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. 

Encore broadcasts of Maryland Farm & Harvest air on MPT on Thursdays at 11 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. Episodes also air on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes can be viewed on the PBS app and MPT’s online video player, while episode segments are available on the series’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MarylandFarmHarvest. 

Audiences are invited to engage with the series on social media @MarylandFarmHarvest on Facebook and @mdfarmtv on Instagram. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is MPT’s co-production partner for Maryland Farm & Harvest. Major funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. 

Additional funding is provided by Maryland’s Best; a grant from the Rural Maryland Council, Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Fund; MARBIDCO; a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; Farm Credit; Maryland Soybean Board and Soybean Checkoff Program; Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc., The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation; and Maryland Pork Producers Association. 

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December 9, 2025

Maryland’s Best Seeking Nominations for the 2026 “Chef Partner of the Year”

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 9, 2025) – Maryland’s Best, a consumer-facing program at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, is seeking nominations for the second Maryland’s Best Chef Partner of the Year award, recognizing an individual chef’s dedication to using local Maryland products, from seafood to produce to dairy and beyond. Last year, seven chefs were nominated with over 50 farms and local seafood vendors highlighted in their restaurants and events during the year. Chef Jason Daniloski of Silver Queen Cafe in Baltimore was the 2024 recipient of the award. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering again with the Restaurant Association of Maryland to shine a light on the chefs who are supportive of Maryland farmers and watermen,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “We understand there are many challenges and factors when sourcing ingredients. This award is an excellent opportunity to highlight those chefs on how creative and innovative they are by using Maryland products.” 

The winning chef will consistently demonstrate dishes inspired by the farmers and watermen in Maryland, and their commitment to telling the real and local stories behind food. Restaurants or organizations that enter must also be a member of the Maryland’s Best program, display the logo in their establishment and be an active member in marketing campaigns. To submit a nomination, please complete the entry form by February 17, 2026. You do not need to be a Restaurant Association of Maryland member to participate. The Maryland’s Best Chef Partner of the Year award will be presented at the annual Restaurant Association of Maryland Gala on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, Maryland.   

If you are a chef or a restaurant also working with local food and are interested in partnering with Maryland’s Best please contact Maryland’s Best Director of Special Projects Kristin Hanna at [email protected]. 

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Follow Maryland’s Best on @mdsbest on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

December 4, 2025

Winter Ban on Spreading Manure, FPRs and Other Nutrient Sources Begins December 16

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 4, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure, food processing residuals (FPRs), and other nutrient sources on cropland begins on December 16, 2025. Farmers can resume spreading these materials on March 1, 2026, as long as they follow their nutrient management plan recommendations and ensure that fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen. 

Maryland’s nutrient management regulations prohibit spreading of manure, food processing residuals, and other nutrient sources on fields during winter due to the increased risk of runoff into local waterways. Farmers are required to store liquid manure generated on their farms in designated structures. The department is authorized to assist livestock farmers in preventing overflows from these storage structures and in minimizing impacts on water quality. If there is a potential overflow, farmers must contact the Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959 for emergency authorization before any spreading occurs. 

Temporary field stockpiling of “stackable” poultry litter and other qualifying organic nutrient sources is permitted if the moisture content is 60% or less. However, farmers are not allowed to apply stackable organic nutrient sources to fields during the winter months under any conditions. For concerns about storage, questions regarding the regulations, or guidance on storage requirements, farmers should contact their regional nutrient management specialist. For more information, please visit the department’s Nutrient Management Program website.

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December 1, 2025

Maryland Farm & Harvest To Visit Locations in Cecil, Frederick, Washington, and Queen Anne’s Counties During December 2 Episode

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 1, 2025) – Maryland Public Television’s popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its 13th season, will feature farms and locations in Cecil, Frederick, Washington, and Queen Anne’s counties during an episode premiering on Tuesday, December 2. An episode preview is available on the series’ webpage at mpt.org/farm.

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT and online at mpt.org/livestream. Episodes are also available to view live and on demand using the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player. 

The popular weekly series takes viewers on a journey across the Free State, telling engaging and enlightening stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow agriculture in Maryland, the state’s number one commercial industry. 

With introductions filmed at Star Bright Farm in White Hall (Baltimore County), the December 2 episode features the following stories:

• Bonus Cover Crops (Cecil and Queen Anne’s counties): University of Maryland Extension Agent Sarah Hirsh developed the Bonus Cover Crop program to help farmers grow the best crops possible. Participants receive free consultations and cost-sharing support to develop and implement tailored approaches using cover crops to address specific issues faced on their farms. Audiences meet Stephen Kraszewski of Mason’s Heritage Farm in Ruthsburg and Bryan Racine of Racine Family Farm in Rising Sun, two farmers with different needs who have both found success using the program.

• District Farms Hydroponics (Frederick County):  When three attorneys grew tired of the legal rat race, they traded their suits for seedlings and set out to build a hyper-efficient, techno-centric lettuce farm. Viewers meet cofounders Ali and Ibrahim Sharifzadeh at District Farms in Frederick, where thousands of rows of lettuce are tended to by both human hands and automated nutrient delivery systems inside a five-acre greenhouse that uses a fraction of the land, water, and fertilizer required on traditional lettuce farms.

• The Local Buy: Caprikorn Farms (Washington County): Segment host Al Spoler visits Caprikorn Farms in Rohrersville, the longest-running goat dairy in Maryland. There, Al learns how owners Alice Orzechowski and Scott Hoyman turned their desire to return to the land into one of the highest-producing goat milk operations in the United States. After meeting the couple’s herd of Saanen goats – a breed known for its friendliness and milk production – Al joins corporate chef Catherine Forrence to make goat cheese chocolate truffles. The recipe will be available to download at mpt.org/farm. 

More than 19 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to more than 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 12 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. 

Encore broadcasts of Maryland Farm & Harvest air on MPT on Thursdays at 11 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. Episodes also air on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes can be viewed on the PBS app and MPT’s online video player, while episode segments are available on the series’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MarylandFarmHarvest. 

Audiences are invited to engage with the series on social media @MarylandFarmHarvest on Facebook and @mdfarmtv on Instagram. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is MPT’s co-production partner for Maryland Farm & Harvest. Major funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. 

Additional funding is provided by Maryland’s Best; a grant from the Rural Maryland Council, Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Fund; MARBIDCO; a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; Farm Credit; Maryland Soybean Board and Soybean Checkoff Program; Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc., The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation; and Maryland Pork Producers Association. 

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Deck the Halls with Locally Grown & Sourced Maryland Products This Holiday Season!

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 1, 2025) –This holiday season, Maryland’s Best, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s seafood and agriculture marketing program, is making it easier for you to find that memorable gift with the Very Maryland’s Best Gift Guide! 

“The holidays is a time of giving, and what better way to give the perfect gift with a product that was produced right here in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “By purchasing a product through the gift guide, you’re not only giving a memorable gift, but also supporting farming and watermen jobs in your community.”

The Very Maryland’s Best digital gift guide has all the details you need to make your holiday shopping simple – including gift cards to local farm and seafood retailers, details on promotions being offered and ideas that’ll make you the gift giver of the year! From apple pie moonshine, goat milk soap to oysters, a variety of cheddar cheeses, winery experiences and more, you’re sure to find something to make this holiday season special. All the items are certified to be grown by a Maryland farmer or sourced from Maryland watermen.

When you give these local gifts, you’re giving more than just a great quality product, you’re also investing in your community! With so many great stories behind all of the companies featured in the guide, you’re sure to find the perfect gift to give your loved ones this holiday season!  Some of the fabulous farmers and watermen that you can purchase from this year include:  

• Richvale Farm is a family owned and located in Middletown, Maryland offering a range of delicious beef cuts and beef tallow, check their Facebook page for holiday bundles!

• Fallen Pine Oyster Company grows three delicious oysters on the Chincoteague Bay including Salt Buoy – Maryland’s saltiest oyster! Grab a gift bundle that includes a tin and shucking knife for the seafood lover in your life. 

• Lagenfelder Pork is a 5th generation family farm offering great gift baskets of everyone’s favorite pork cuts.Give them a gift that doesn’t sit around on the shelf or get stuffed in the back of a closet!

• Faidley’s Seafood is known for their delicious crab cakes and has certificates available so your loved one can order when they are ready. Certificates valid for one year. 

• Tobacco Barn Distillery in Southern Maryland makes whiskey using corn grown on their fields. Perfect for the holidays, check out their 3 pack sampler! 

For more information about the guide or Maryland’s Best, please visit www.marylandsbest.net or contact Maryland’s Best Director of Special Projects Kristin Hanna at [email protected]. 

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Follow Maryland’s Best on @mdsbest on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. 

November 13, 2025

Maryland Farm & Harvest to Visit Locations Throughout Central Maryland and the Eastern Shore During November 18 Episode

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 13, 2025) – Maryland Public Television’s popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its 13th season, will feature farms and locations in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, and Talbot counties during an episode premiering on Tuesday, November 18. An episode preview is available on the series’ webpage at mpt.org/farm.

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT and online at mpt.org/livestream. Episodes are also available to view live and on demand using the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player. 

The popular weekly series takes viewers on a journey across the Free State, telling engaging and enlightening stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow agriculture in Maryland, the state’s number one commercial industry. 

With introductions filmed at One Straw Farm in White Hall (Baltimore County), the November 18 episode features the following stories:

• Mike & Sons Mobile Farm Mechanic (Anne Arundel, Caroline, and Talbot counties): On the farm, what isn’t broken is just waiting to break. While larger operations may have full-time mechanics to maintain equipment, smaller farms often have to enlist outside help. When the calls come in, Mike Greaves of Mike & Sons Mechanical Services hits the road with his truck full of tools to save the day. Viewers follow Mike from his home base in Trappe to field maintenance and repair requests for farmers in Harwood and Denton.

• Clear Ridge Nursery (Baltimore City, Carroll County): Led by volunteer groups such as Midtown Baltimore, urban greening is transforming Baltimore City’s sidewalks through the installation of plants and trees to beautify landscapes, improve population health, and increase property values. In Union Bridge, Clear Ridge Nursery grows more than 150,000 trees to be planted in Baltimore and other cities and towns throughout the region. Viewers learn how founder Joe Barley’s commitment to family and passion for reforestation helped the farm succeed and follow the journey of one batch of trees from the nursery in Carroll County to public land in Baltimore City.

• Farm to Skillet: Chef Matt Lego and Photographer Jay Fleming (Anne Arundel County): Chef Matt Lego of Leo in Annapolis joins renowned photographer and bay conservationist Jay Fleming to catch invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. From there, Lego returns to the kitchen to prepare sauteed blue catfish and grits for the two to enjoy. The recipe and more information about the invasive blue catfish will be available to download at mpt.org/farm. 

More than 19 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to more than 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 12 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. 

Encore broadcasts of Maryland Farm & Harvest air on MPT on Thursdays at 11 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. Episodes also air on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes can be viewed on the PBS app and MPT’s online video player, while episode segments are available on the series’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MarylandFarmHarvest. 

Audiences are invited to engage with the series on social media @MarylandFarmHarvest on Facebook and @mdfarmtv on Instagram. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is MPT’s co-production partner for Maryland Farm & Harvest. Major funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. 

Additional funding is provided by Maryland’s Best; a grant from the Rural Maryland Council, Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Fund; MARBIDCO; a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; Farm Credit; Maryland Soybean Board and Soybean Checkoff Program; Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc., The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation; and Maryland Pork Producers Association. 

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November 7, 2025

Poultry Farmers Urged to Practice Enhanced Biosecurity

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 7, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture continues to remind all poultry farmers, whether commercial or backyard, to review and implement enhanced biosecurity plans. This comes after the confirmation of several cases of HPAI in backyard flocks in the Mid Atlantic region.  

“We know HPAI is here, these confirmations serve as that reminder,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “For all of our poultry farmers (commercial and backyard), biosecurity is more than a suggestion; it is, without a doubt, the most potent protection against HPAI. To protect our flocks, preserve our agricultural economy, and guarantee the continued well-being of Maryland’s poultry industry, proactive actions, strict guidelines, and steadfast adherence to best practices are crucial.”

Migratory waterfowl moving through Maryland presents a heightened risk for HPAI, a devastating disease for poultry operations. HPAI is caused by an influenza type A virus, which can infect poultry (chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quails, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. 

Commercial and backyard flock owners are urged to follow these guidelines to maintain a sanitary, biosecure premise:

• Restrict access to poultry by posting “Restricted Access” signage, securing the area with a gate, or both.

• Take steps to ensure that contaminated materials on the ground are not transported into the poultry growing house or area.

• Provide the following items to anyone entering or leaving any area where poultry are kept:

  • Footbaths and foot mats with disinfectant;

  • Boot washing and disinfectant station;

  • Footwear change or foot covers;

  • PPE – coveralls, hair nets, and masks. 

• Cover and secure feed to prevent wild birds, rodents or other animals from accessing it.

• Cover and properly contain carcasses, used litter, or other disease-containing organic materials to prevent wild birds, rodents or other animals from accessing them and to keep them from being blown around by wind.

• Allow MDA to enter the premises during normal working hours to inspect your biosecurity and sanitation practices. 

• Report any unusual bird deaths or sudden increases in very sick birds to the MDA Animal Health Program at 410-841-5810 or after-hours to 410-841-5971. Also contact the USDA at 866-536-7593.

For more information on avian influenza, please visit the department’s website.

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Governor Moore Signs Executive Order Establishing the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 7, 2025) — Governor Wes Moore today signed an executive order today formally establishing the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan to guide the future of Maryland’s $2.9 billion equine sector. The initiative marks a historic step toward unifying the state’s diverse horse community under a single, coordinated vision for growth, sustainability, and collaboration.

“Maryland’s horse industry is a powerful symbol of the state’s heritage, agriculture, and economic vitality,” said Gov. Moore. “This strategic plan will bring together all facets of the equine community to ensure the industry continues to thrive for generations to come.”

With more horses per square mile than any other state, Maryland’s equine ecosystem supports thousands of jobs, maintains open space, and attracts visitors from across the nation and world through premier events. Maryland’s horse industry also supports more than 28,000 jobs and $1.24 billion in wages statewide.

“From racing to recreational riding, from therapeutic programs to trail systems, Maryland’s equine ecosystem touches every corner of our state,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “This effort ensures that all sectors have a seat at the table to build a unified vision for the future.”

The steering committee leading this work will include state agencies as well as representatives from across Maryland’s horse ecosystem. These representatives reflect the breadth and diversity of the state’s horse community, from thoroughbred and standardbred racing and sport horses to trail riders, jousters, and therapeutic programs.

“This executive order moves Maryland forward, bringing together leaders from Maryland’s horse racing, competition, recreation, and wellness sectors under a shared vision,” said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. “Our Maryland Racing Commission has provided oversight for safety and integrity in Maryland horseracing for more than a century, and we are excited to plan for a vibrant future.”

The committee will lead the development of a comprehensive strategic plan designed to strengthen Maryland’s horse ecosystem across seven key focus areas:

• Strategic Planning and Policy Guidance
• Collaboration and Communication
• Economic Development
• Advocacy, Public Awareness, and Promotion
• Education and Workforce Development
• Sustainability and Land Use
• Health and Welfare

The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Horse Industry Board will partner with the Maryland Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Natural Resources; the Office of the Secretary of State; the Maryland Racing Commission and others to coordinate planning and stakeholder engagement. They will produce a report, including recommendations and measurable goals, to present to the governor and the Maryland General Assembly.

Through this executive order, Maryland affirms its leadership in equine excellence, preserving a proud, three-century tradition while shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for the horse ecosystem.

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November 6, 2025

Maryland Department of Agriculture Honors Employees with Long Service Awards

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 6, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture recently honored 57 employees for their years of dedicated service to the state and its citizens. The service awards were given out during the Annual Employee Appreciation brunch held on Monday, November 3. Of the 57 employees honored, 10 have 30 or more years of service, and one employee has 55 years of service! Together, the employees represent 1,115 years of public service and approximately 2.31 million hours worked.

“I am incredibly thankful for the dedicated team at MDA and all they do to support the mission of the agency,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “It is an honor to recognize all our employees who have dedicated many years of service.”

Team members attending the brunch enjoyed a menu consisting of locally sourced Maryland products, prepared and served by members of the senior staff. 

You may view photos from the event and awards ceremony here. 

The following is a listing of department employees by their county of residence who were recognized with service awards:

MARYLAND

Allegany

• Daniel Lewis

Anne Arundel

• Brenda Alexander

• Lynn McNally

• Kimberly Parker

• Barbara Smallman

• Sarah Hultz

• Madeline Rivard

• Brian Kalmbach

• Cassandra Shirk

• Matthew Malinowski

• Sarah Smith

• Elizabeth Hoffman

• Michelle Cable

• Ramalakshmi Dilip

• Jessica Koontz

Baltimore City

• Susan (Chana) Turner

Baltimore County

• James Purvis

• Venus Torbit

Calvert

• Greta Jones

Carroll

• Jason Watt

• Amy Vargas

Caroline

• Michael Everett Jr. 

Frederick

• Kenneth Favorite

• Hannah Hood

• Holly Boyer

Harford

• Matthew Scales

• Christopher Prigge

Howard

• Tonya Kendrick-Green

• Wendy Lloyd

Kent

• Robert Hofstetter

• Robert Myers

Prince George’s

• Pegeen Morgan

• Hannah Peete

Montgomery 

• Assefa Fitta

Queen Anne’s 

• Hans Schmidt 

• Lori Russ

Somerset

• Mark Carey

St. Mary’s

• John Heard

• Andrew Bowles

• Steven Bell

Talbot

• Kimberly Rice

• Michelle McCulley

• Hamlet Perez Villalona

Wicomico

• Dawn Bradley

• Richard Glasgow

• Thomas Phillips

• Karen Hoy 

DELAWARE

Kent

• Laura Iacona

New Castle

• Devin Melancon

Sussex

• Keely Wells

• Tynetta Cannon

• Deborah Hayes

PENNSYLVANIA

Adams

• Bryce Miller

WEST VIRGINIA

Jefferson

• William Rawlings

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