March 12, 2020

Department Recognizes Outstanding Employee of the 2019 Fourth Quarter

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 12, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture honored employee Deborah Hayes, nursery inspection administrative officer for the department’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program, with an outstanding performance award for the fourth quarter of 2019. Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder recognized Deborah at the department’s staff meeting yesterday afternoon.

“I take pride in the employees that work at the Maryland Department of Agriculture and serve our great state,” said Sec. Bartenfelder. “Deborah has consistently demonstrated an outstanding performance in her time at the department and shown amazing initiative in her role as new responsibilities were added. Congratulations to Deborah on receiving this well-deserved award and thank you for all you do for the department’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program.”

Deborah Hayes was nominated by her supervisor for this recognition. In the past few months, Deborah has taken the lead on several new priority projects for the Plant Protection and Weed Management Program, such as developing agreements to assist licensed business with their sales and developing standards for a regulated industry in Maryland. She has executed each task with a high level of productivity and strong diligence. When faced with difficulties, Deborah has approached each situation in a very professional and consistent manner. Her strong work ethic and incredible time management have been critical to advancing the goals of the program and the department.

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March 11, 2020

Department Launches 2020 Manure Happens Public Education Campaign

ANNAPOLIS, MD –The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched its 2020 Manure Happens public education campaign to teach Marylanders how and why farmers recycle manure as a natural crop fertilizer and soil conditioner. The 2020 campaign focuses on best management practices used to prevent runoff and control odors when spreading manure, and the science behind nutrient management. The ads will run in local newspapers, on websites, and on social media throughout March.

“Today’s educated consumers are passionate about where their food comes from and how it is produced,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Joseph Bartenfelder. “The Manure Happens campaign helps Marylanders understand why farmers use manure as a crop fertilizer and how the nutrient management practices farmers follow protect the health of nearby waterways. As our hard working Maryland farmers start to prepare their fields for spring planting, let us recognize all they are doing to improve the health of their soil and the Chesapeake Bay.”

Maryland farmers are required to follow nutrient management plans when fertilizing crops and managing animal manure. These science-based plans specify how much fertilizer, manure, or other nutrient sources may be safely applied to crops to achieve yields and prevent excess nutrients from impacting waterways. Farmers are prohibited from spreading manure on their fields in winter or when the ground is frozen. March 1 was the first opportunity for most farmers to recycle manure generated over the winter as a crop fertilizer and soil conditioner.

To further protect water resources, Maryland’s Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) regulations are helping farmers protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay from phosphorus runoff.

The public education ads direct viewers to the department’s Manure Happens website. In addition to providing citizens with information on how farmers recycle manure resources, the website offers resources for farmers who use commercial fertilizers and want to switch to manure, and to farmers who already use manure to build healthy soils. The page provides links to important farmer resources including the department’s new and improved grants to haul poultry manure, grants to “inject” liquid manure below the soil surface to reduce odors and protect against runoff, tax credits, nutrient management regulations, technical guidance, and scientific research on the benefits of manure as a crop fertilizer and soil conditioner.

The department’s 2020 education campaign includes three ads with different themes. The Attitude is Everything ad focuses on ways farmers work to protect local streams and reduce odors when spreading manure. The Go the Distance ad highlights the science behind managing poultry manure and its nutrients. In addition, the campaign’s namesake ad, Manure Happens, has been updated. To see all of the department’s manure education ads over the years, visit the Manure Happens website.

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March 10, 2020

2020 Maryland Farmers Market Conference Postponed

ANNAPOLIS, MD – In light of public health concerns related to COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has decided to postpone the 2020 Maryland Farmers Market Conference, originally scheduled for March 18. The department is planning to offer webinars at a later date and will reach out to those who have already registered for the event. Registration fees will be refunded.

For questions regarding the conference, please contact Weida Stoecker at 410-841-5776. For more information on COVID-19, please visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website.

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March 5, 2020

Federal Administration Agrees to Release Additional H-2B Visas to Help Maryland’s Seafood Industry

Announcement Comes After Weeks of Hogan Administration Urging Federal Action

ANNAPOLIS, MD—After weeks of urging federal officials to take action, Governor Larry Hogan today praised the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that it will release an additional 35,000 visas through the H-2B Nonimmigrant Temporary Worker Program. This will help protect Maryland’s $355 million seafood industry and supply chain, particularly ahead of the start of the blue crab harvest season on April 1.

On January 21, Governor Hogan wrote to federal administration officials urging them to release these critical visas, and calling for a long-term permanent solution to provide certainty to rural Maryland and in particular the Eastern Shore.

“I am pleased to report that our efforts to make additional H-2B visas available to help our state’s seafood industry have again proven successful,” said Governor Hogan. “While we still urgently need a long-term solution to this problem, this announcement is welcome relief for our state’s iconic crab processing houses and seafood industry.”

Maryland’s Best Seafood, a marketing program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, released a survey earlier this week measuring the economic impact of the state’s crab industry and the importance of the federal H-2B temporary visa program.

• All eight crab processors surveyed agreed that the current lottery system for awarding temporary visa requests creates uncertainty that hurts their businesses, and that limiting the number of available H-2B visas hurts Maryland’s seafood industry as a whole.
• Seven of the eight crab companies indicated that they would not open for the 2020 crab season without adequate H-2B workers. The shuttering of these processors would severely impact the supply of “True Blue” Maryland crabmeat, as well as the livelihoods of American workers who rely on the industry for employment, including commercial watermen, restaurants, and local businesses.
• Without these seasonal workers, the survey showed that income for watermen would drop by $12.5 million; processors would lose $37-$49 million in sales; Maryland would lose 914-1,367 jobs; and the overall hit to the state’s economy could be $100-$150 million.

This is the third straight year Governor Hogan has been successful in pushing the federal government to release additional visas through the H-2B program.

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Maryland Agricultural Fair Board Meeting on March 19 Cancelled

ANNAPOLIS, MD – In light of public health concerns related to COVID-19, the department has cancelled the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board Meeting previously scheduled for Thursday, March 19.

For more information, contact Jessica O’Sullivan at jessica.osullivan@maryland.gov or 410-841-5882.

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March 4, 2020

Protect Local Waterways by Following Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law

Lawn Fertilizer Blackout Dates End March 1

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds lawn care professionals and homeowners to follow the state’s lawn fertilizer law as warmer weather approaches. Fertilizer products containing nitrogen and phosphorus may be applied to lawns beginning March 1 as long as the ground is not hard frozen or snow-covered and heavy rain is not expected.

Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law is designed to prevent excess nutrients from entering the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways, and requires that lawn care professionals be licensed and certified by the department to apply fertilizer. Nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are key ingredients in lawn fertilizer. When it rains, fertilizer applied to lawns can wash into nearby storm drains and streams that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Once in our waterways, nutrients contribute to algae blooms that block sunlight from reaching bay grasses, rob the water of oxygen, and threaten underwater life.

Best management practices for the health of your lawn and the Chesapeake Bay:

• Skip the spring fertilizer, especially if your lawn is healthy. Fertilizing lawns in spring promotes excessive top growth at the expense of roots.
• Sharpen lawnmower blades. A dull blade tears and weakens the grass, opening it up to disease. Many local hardware stores or garden shops can sharpen your blade for you.
• Raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass shades out weeds and needs less water. A three-inch cut length is ideal for most lawns.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They provide free fertilizer all season long.

If fertilizer is necessary:

• Follow the directions on the fertilizer bag.
• Learn about soil testing. For seasonal and yearly fertilizer recommendations, visit: extension.umd.edu/hgic/plants/lawns
• Do not apply phosphorus to lawns unless a soil test indicates that it is needed.
• Clean up any fertilizer on sidewalks or other impervious surfaces.
• Keep fertilizer applications 10 to 15 feet away from waterways.
• Do not apply fertilizer if heavy rain is expected.

The lawn fertilizer law applies to urban sources, including golf courses, parks, recreation areas, businesses, and home lawns. Citizens can verify that their lawn care provider is certified by visiting the department’s website. For more information, visit mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

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March 2, 2020

Survey Shows Impact of H-2B Visa Program on Maryland Seafood Industry

Crab Processors Emphasize Need for Reliable Access to Seasonal Workers

Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland’s Best Seafood, a marketing program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, today released a survey measuring the economic impact of the state’s crab industry and the importance of the federal H-2B temporary visa program. Secretary Joe Bartenfelder joined the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industry Association at an event on Hoopers Island to discuss the results of the survey and the critical role the seafood industry plays in many Maryland communities. 

“Blue crabs are an integral part of our state’s heritage and our economy,” said Secretary Bartenfelder. “The world-class crabmeat produced by Maryland processors relies heavily on the availability of seasonal labor via the H-2B visa program. This survey reinforces what we have learned in previous years: a lack of reliable access to H-2B workers poses a major threat to the future of this iconic industry.”

Maryland’s Best Seafood contracted Market Solutions, LLC, to survey the state’s eight largest crab processors to determine the industry’s economic impact and how it is affected by the availability of H-2B workers. All eight crab processors surveyed agreed that the current lottery system for awarding temporary visa requests creates uncertainty that hurts their businesses, and that limiting the number of available H-2B visas hurts Maryland’s seafood industry as a whole. 

Seven of the eight crab companies indicated that they would not open for the 2020 crab season without adequate H-2B workers. The shuttering of these processors would severely impact the supply of “True Blue” Maryland crabmeat, as well as the livelihoods of American workers who rely on the industry for employment, including commercial watermen, restaurants, and local businesses. Without these seasonal workers, the survey shows that income for watermen would drop by $12.5 million; processors would lose $37-$49 million in sales; Maryland would lose 914-1,367 jobs; and the overall hit to the state’s economy could be $100-$150 million.

In 2019, the survey participants bought more than 14 million pounds of crabs from 416 local watermen at a value of $19 million, and directly employed 123 American workers. These businesses supplied crabmeat to 243 restaurants, 94 food service distributors, 182 retailers, and 2,300 consumers directly, for a combined $36.7 million in total sales. 

The full report, “Impacts of the H-2B Visa Program for Seasonal Workers on Maryland’s Seafood Industry and Economy,” is available on the department’s website. 

“Without these temporary workers, and without an end to the arbitrary lottery system, local seafood processors will be unable to open for business or be forced to significantly reduce their operations,” said Governor Larry Hogan in a January 21 letter to federal officials requesting an increase in H-2B visas in support of the industry. “Another year of hardship could permanently damage Maryland’s sustainable seafood industry.”

The H-2B visa program is capped at 66,000 visas per year, though the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is authorized to release up to 64,716 additional visas at the secretary’s discretion. 

After a shortage of H-2B visas in 2018, Maryland’s Best Seafood partnered with Maryland Public Television to produce “Maryland Crabs: Tradition & Taste.” The film is available here.

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February 28, 2020

March 1-7 Named Maryland Weights and Measures Week

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Every day, Marylanders pay for consumer products based on a weight or measurement, like a gallon of gas or a pound of meat. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Program is responsible for ensuring those measurements are correct so that consumers get what they pay for. To recognize this important work, Governor Larry Hogan has issued a proclamation declaring March 1–7 as Weights and Measures Week in Maryland.

“Whether you are pumping gas at the station or weighing your produce at the grocery store, the department’s Weights and Measures inspectors are there working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure you are protected and getting exactly what you paid for,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder. “Weights and Measures Week is a great time to recognize the important work of our inspectors and thank them for ensuring fairness in commercial transactions of anything sold by weight, measure, or count around the state.”

The theme for this year’s Weights and Measures Week is “Building Weights and Measures’ Future by Sharing Our Knowledge.” This theme emphasizes the importance of the cooperation of weight and measures programs and inspectors from around the country; the value in sharing the story of weights and measures programs to consumers; and the need for continued training opportunities in this ever-changing field.

Maryland’s Weights and Measures Program inspects 60,941 weighing and measuring devices in commercial use at 8,805 businesses around the state. In FY 2019, field staff conducted 27,124 inspections of commercial weighing and measuring devices, including: cash registers; deli scales; shipping scales; large truck scales; fuel pumps; meters to measure home heating oil and propane; and many other devices. The department also inspected more than 5,114 individual lots of pre-packaged commodities offered for sale and investigated 325 consumer complaints, the majority of which were related to gasoline sales.

For more information on Maryland’s Weights and Measures Program, or if you think the “cord” of firewood delivered to your home is a short measure, the gasoline pump at the corner gas station is incorrect, or the weight or measure of any product you purchased is not right, contact the department at (410) 841-5790 or email weights.measures@maryland.gov.

For more information on Maryland’s Weights and Measures Program, visit:

• National Conference on Weights and Measures Video: Getting What You Pay For at the Supermarket
• Maryland Department of Agriculture Photos: Weights and Measures – Then and Now
• Maryland Department of Agriculture: Weights and Measures AgBrief
• Maryland Department of Agriculture: Weights & Measures Program

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February 27, 2020

Department Now Accepting Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications

Grant Applications Due by Wednesday, April 1

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), established by the Farm Bill, that offers funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

The department anticipates that approximately $430,000 will be available in SCBGP funds. Of those available funds, Food Safety, Market Enhancement, and Research will be a priority for projects with a minimum level of $15,000. Proposals that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Maryland specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent and that receive support from specialty crop producers, will be prioritized. Grants will be reimbursement funds.

The department is seeking applications from eligible non-profit organizations, government entities, for-profit companies, and other organizations for projects that aim to promote or enhance the production of and access to Maryland specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.

Applicants must be Maryland residents or their business or educational affiliation must be in Maryland. Grant applications must be completed and submitted via email to Karen Fedor at karen.fedor@maryland.gov by Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 3 p.m.

For questions about the grant application process or to apply, contact Karen Fedor at karen.fedor@maryland.gov or 410-841-5773. For more information about the grant program or to download the application, visit the department’s website.

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February 26, 2020

Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot County Farmers Encouraged to Sign Up for Healthy Soils Grants

Deadline to Apply is March 20

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Farmers in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties who are interested in obtaining financial and technical support to establish healthy soil practices on their farms have until March 20 to apply for assistance through their local soil conservation district offices.

This funding opportunity is made possible by a federal grant secured by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to support the installation of healthy soil practices that allow farmers to gain experience using the latest technological advances. In 2018, the department received a five-year, $1 million Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Conservation practices eligible for funding and technical assistance include the following:

• Adaptive management;
• Multi-species cover crops;
• Conservation crop rotations;
• Variable rate technology for applying nutrients;
• Residual and tillage management;
• Precision nutrient management;
• Edge-of-field tools to identify and reduce agricultural sources of excess nutrients;
• Composting;
• Forage and biomass plantings;
• And other practices that support and enhance soil health.

Farmers in participating counties should contact their soil conservation district by March 20 to apply for this program.

To learn more about Conservation Partnership Program projects in Maryland, farmers should visit Maryland NRCS. For more information about Maryland’s healthy soil initiatives, please contact the department’s Office of Resource Conservation at 410-841-5865 or visit their website.

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February 19, 2020

Department to Phase Out Regular Use of Chlorpyrifos

Action Preserves and Protects Regulatory Framework

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced that it will develop regulations to immediately phase out the regular use of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide used in agricultural production and turf management. The department will engage agricultural leaders, environmental advocates and farmers to identify a solution that addresses all parties’ interests while preserving the established regulatory authority for pesticide use.

“In light of the department’s ongoing conversations with farmers, I have directed MDA to convene all interested stakeholders and begin the process of crafting reasonable and responsible regulations that will accelerate the phase out of chlorpyrifos,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “This is in the best interest of the agriculture industry and the environment, and will protect the independence and integrity of our robust science-based regulatory framework while providing farmers time to identify alternative or replacement products.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national standards for the sale and use of individual pesticide products. These decisions are determined by an exhaustive, science-based review process. MDA works closely with the EPA to enforce its regulations and provides educational support to ensure that these products are used responsibly and safely by farmers and licensed applicators. This regulatory solution keeps that authority within the federal and state agencies responsible for pesticide regulation.

The move toward an accelerated phase-out of chlorpyrifos is in step with similar actions in other states and the private industry. Earlier this month, Corteva Agriscience, a major manufacturer of crop protection products, announced that it would cease production and sales of chlorpyrifos by the end of 2020. This decision follows use data in Maryland that shows a sharp decline in the use of chlorpyrifos since the 1990s.

For more information on pesticide regulation in Maryland, please visit the program’s website. More information on chlorpyrifos is available on the EPA website. 

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February 12, 2020

Farmers May Apply Commercial Fertilizer to Small Grains Beginning February 15

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Feb. 12, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced that farmers who planted small grains for harvest last fall may “top dress” these crops with commercial fertilizer beginning February 15, as long as ground conditions remain favorable and in accordance with their nutrient management plans. The determination follows Maryland’s nutrient management regulations and is based on research conducted by University of Maryland (UMD) plant experts. As a reminder, manure may not be applied to fields until March 1.

Each year, UMD researchers examine soil temperatures and crop growth over the winter to estimate when small grains will emerge from dormancy. According to data collected by UMD researchers, commercial fertilizer may be safely applied to small grains beginning February 15. At this time, these plants will have absorbed all available nutrients in the soil and will require additional nutrients to keep growing. The University cautions farmers, however, to check individual field conditions and avoid running heavy equipment across saturated soils.

The University recommends split applications of spring nitrogen with the first application occurring on or soon after February 15 and the second application when the crops begin to joint.

For additional information on Maryland’s nutrient application requirements, contact the department’s Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959. Farmers with fields that are not suitable for harvest should contact their crop insurance agent for guidance.

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February 11, 2020

POSTPONED: 2020 Maryland Farmers Market Conference

UPDATE (3/10/20): The 2020 Maryland Farmers Market Conference has been postponed. More info

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Registration is now open for the 2020 Maryland Farmers Market Conference being held on Wednesday, March 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis.

Conference sessions will include topics on merchant services; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP); the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP); farm to market training; and more. The department’s Weights & Measures program will offer equipment certifications for farmers who bring their market scales to the conference. Vendors and sponsors will have booths in the Exhibit Hall.

Interested farmers and market managers are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. Registration costs $35 and includes a locally-sourced continental breakfast and lunch. Registration information can be found online. In the event of inclement weather, the conference will be rescheduled for Monday, March 23.

For questions regarding registration or the program in general, please contact Weida Stoecker, weida.stoecker@maryland.gov or (410) 841-5791.

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