Cover crops are one of the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable ways to protect the Bay and its tributaries from nutrient runoff and soil erosion. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2007-2008 Winter Cover Crop Program features include record funding, increased rates, and no acreage caps for the traditional cover crop program. Farmers can sign-up for the statewide program from June 23 through July 8, 2008 at local soil conservation district offices.  Click here for more details.

The 2010 Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley, provides a record $18 million in funding that will help farmers offset higher planting and fuel costs associated with planting cover crops.  The Baltimore Sun recently highlighted farmers and their on-farm conservation practices. Click here to read the story.

MDA is also targeting radio advertisements encouraging farmers to participate in this year’s cover crop program.  Tune in at the end of this month to WPOC (93.1 FM), WBAL (1090 AM), WNAV (1430 AM), WCEI (96.7 FM),  WCTR (1530 AM)  and WEMD (1460 AM) to learn more.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, local Maryland produts. Seventy-eight (78) percent of Marylanders are more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer according to the 2008 Policy Choices Survey by the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy. Further supporting agriculture, 97 percent of those surveyed said that it is at least “somewhat important” that the state preserve land for farming.

“Marylanders understand that agricultural products are essential to creating a sustainable Maryland to protect our culture, our economy and our environment,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

Governor O’Malley will kick off Buy Local Challenge Week (July 19-27) with an event during Capital for a Day in Leonardtown on July 17. You can buy fresh local food in a variety of places including farmers’ markets, pick-you-own farms, farm stands and by joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm. Learn more.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) thank farmers and others interested for taking time out of their busy lives to offer thoughtful and constructive comments about the draft animal feeding operation permit.  Hundreds of farmers turned out at three public meetings and four briefings to agricultural leadership groups.  We listened and made changes to reflect those comments, making the permit as manageable and inexpensive as possible for poultry and livestock farmers while further safeguarding water quality.

The revised version of the draft permit is now available on MDE’s website or by calling 410-537-3599. MDE plans to take public comments on the most recent draft of the poultry rules starting Aug. 1 and hold public hearings in September. The final rules should be out by Oct. 10.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) completed its aerial spray program treating trees on more than 99,000 acres of land in 13 counties and Baltimore City to prevent forest defoliation caused by the gypsy moth.  Spraying began in late April on the Eastern Shore and moved west ending in Garrett County a week ahead of the projected June 7 completion date.

“Our crew worked tirelessly over the past month to protect our State’s hardwood forests and neighborhood trees against damage from the gypsy moth,” said MDA Dep. Secretary Buddy Hance. “We thank Governor O’Malley for the $4.1 million in funding he provided in the budget to meet the statewide need for these services. We also greatly appreciate the contributions of our local and federal partners to this effort.”

MDA entomologists and field inspectors will now begin looking for egg masses to determine if and where infestations may occur next year. Property owners and residents are encouraged to report the presence of any gypsy moth caterpillars, egg masses, or defoliation.  For more information and to learn what homeowners can do pro-actively to prevent gypsy moth damage, click here.

As part of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) ongoing work to expedite the identification and control of disease, the College Park Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is now able to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for equine herpesvirus-1, the causal agent of a common horse disease often called “rhino.” This capability includes the neuropathic strain of the virus which causes neurologic herpes (equine herpes myeloencephalopathy), a significant disease of horses in the US.

The ability to detect EHV-1 neuro with PCR analysis will enable the industry and MDA to more quickly detect and more effectively respond to suspected and actual cases, reducing the adverse economic impact associated with actual and suspected outbreaks of this disease. Previously, samples collected in the field would be sent across the country for analysis using this same technique.  The delay in receiving results meant that animals implicated in the disease investigation, but not infected would be restricted longer awaiting results. Reducing the turnaround time of the samples, significantly reduces the time between suspicion of disease and a determination that the virus is or is not present, allowing the response activities to more properly focus on the infected animals.

MDA intends to make this available to equine veterinary practitioners soon and will also have that valuable asset available to assist in the management of suspected outbreaks of EHV myeloencephalitis. The goal is to provide same day results for swabs and blood submitted before noon most business days. PCR is now a common and often indispensable technique used in medical and biological research labs for a variety of applications.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Plant Protection and Animal Health sections participated in an exercise on May 22 to determine if trucks were adhering to statutes and regulations for interstate trafficking and importation of livestock and plants. It was also an opportunity test our readiness to take the appropriate regulatory action to prevent or mitigate agricultural and public health hazards. Additional participants included the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maryland State Police and the Maryland departments of Transportation and the Environment.

The exercise was a success. Warnings were issued to two farmers who were transporting horses within the state but did not have a valid Coggin’s Test certificate. Federal enforcement action was taken on two trucks with nursery stock from states that are federally regulated for Imported Fire Ant moving through the state without proper documentation. In cooperation with Angelica Nurseries, MDA also demonstrated capability to detect improperly manifested federally-quarantined material, and ability to use digital and other technology for real time diagnostics.

Additionally, MDA Secretary Roger Richardson recently signed an Emergency Operations Plan, which for the first time outlines how the department will respond to agriculture-related emergencies.

The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program provides farmers with grants for up to 87.5 percent of the cost to install conservation measures known as best management practices (BMPs) on their farms to prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  There are more than 30 BMPs currently eligible for funding under this program, including cover crops, waste storage structures, and streamside buffers.

Throughout its history, MACS has been a leader in helping farmers protect soil and water resources by providing conservation grants to install tried and true conservation measures as well as innovative, state-of-the-art practices. Click here to learn more.

Daniel W. Colhoun is the current chair of the 12-member Board of Trustees that administers the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF). The foundation’s primary purpose is to preserve productive agricultural and forested land that provides for the continued production of food and fiber for the present and future citizens of the State of Maryland. For more information about MALPF, click here.

Since 1962, Mr. Colhoun and his wife Julia have owned and operated Sportsman’s Hall, where they raise horses, cattle, eggs and grow corn, alfalfa and soybeans.  Their farm was the first MALPF easement to be accepted in Baltimore County in 1982.

“It is a wonderful opportunity and challenge to chair the Board and work to preserve agland on a statewide basis,” said Mr. Colhoun. “I have been most impressed with the dedicated professionalism of the staff and the quality and caliber of their operation as well as excellent cooperation with the Attorney General’s office.”

Mr. Colhoun is dedicated to the agricultural industry in Maryland and to the principle of safeguarding land for the next generation of farmers. Through his farm operation and his work with the Foundation, he encourages more younger people to become involved in preserving, protecting and promoting viable, profitable agriculture for the future.

In addition to chairing MALPF, Mr. Colhoun is currently a member of the Maryland and Baltimore County Farm Bureau, the Medford Grange, Junior Gunpowder Farmer’s Club, the Piney Run Rural Legacy Committee and the American Farmland Trust.  He is a past chairman of the Baltimore County Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board and has been affiliated with the Baltimore County’s Landmarks Commission, the Baltimore County Comprehensive Zoning Commission, Baltimore County’s Agricultural Subcommittee for their Master Plan Advisory Group for Rural Areas. He also chaired the operating committee for a 55,000-acre sustainable forestry operation in northern New York State.

Check out New Online Guide to Roadside Stands 

 

As you pack up your beach chairs and umbrella to make that faithful trek to the beach this summer, make sure you save room in your car for some delicious Maryland fruits and vegetables. June is also National Dairy Month. Click here to locate a farm stand on your drive to the beach or to find a local store to taste test some homemade ice cream.