This year marked the 127th run of the Maryland State Fair with 400,000 attendees throughout the 11-day festival.  Governor O’Malley honored approximately 200 volunteers during Governor’s Volunteer Appreciation Day at the State Fair.

In the Farm and Garden Building, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) exhibits highlighted conservation and sound farmland management practices, wise use of fertilizer, reducing pesticide use, water conservation, and the benefits of buying locally.  MDA also hosted a variety of interactive activities and live musical entertainment.

The fair featured thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, daily livestock and horse shows, a wide variety of midway rides and games, thoroughbred horse racing and national entertainment.

Students in many Maryland counties will find fresh, local apples, watermelon, coleslaw and more offered in their school cafeterias as part of the new Homegrown School Lunch Week, Sept. 22-26.  The week-long awareness activities, including a special kick-off celebration on Sept. 23 at the Takoma Park Middle School, are a result of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program.

The program will bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and help educate students about where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet. Click here to learn how can you get children to eat more fruits and vegetables!

Visit a new farm to school website with educational materials, menus, places to find local products and much more for parents, teachers, and food service staff.

This find is thought to be related to the initial 2003 introduction of EAB to Prince George’s County.  On Aug. 26, Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson expanded the existing quarantine, which now prohibits anyone from moving ash trees or any hardwood firewood out of Prince George’s and Charles counties until further notice. MDA continues to assess the situation and is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine a course of action.

To help stop this damaging beetle, homeowners and citizens who live in and travel through Prince George’s and Charles counties can help. Click here to learn how.  Learn more about the emerald ash borer quarantine and restrictions.

Maryland’s farmers offer a variety of fall activities as a low-cost way for families to spend time together outdoors.  Fall is the perfect time to experience the fun of picking your own apples, selecting your own pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, getting lost in a corn maze, taking a hayride, or attending a fall festival.  Depending on the farm, visitors may be able to enjoy a variety of other activities including farm stands, scarecrow-making, petting farm, pony rides, decorations, fresh apple cider, home baked goods and more.

These seasonal activities offer the public an opportunity to experience family-friendly, wholesome entertainment all over the State, while supporting Maryland’s farmers and learning more about agriculture.  By expanding their businesses to include agritourism, many of Maryland’s farmers have been able to add value to their operations.

Now in its fifth class and 10th year, LEAD Maryland Foundation has taken fellows to the Netherlands, Cuba, Brazil, China, and now Finland, Estonia, and Russia as part of the two-year agricultural leadership development program.  On this year’s trip, the fellows saw three very geographically close nations that could not have been more different from each other in their development, culture, economy, government and agriculture. Click here to read more about the trip as published in The Delmarva Farmer.  Applications for Class VI are due on October 1.

Agriculture is considered one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. When disability strikes a farm family, everything changes except the desire to continue farming. The Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility Project (DMAP) was established to serve farming families touched by a disability.

Do you know of a farmer with a disability or chronic health condition who needs help to continue to lead a successful career in agriculture? DMAP has a whole “Red Tool Box” of solutions from helping to paint a barn to installing steps on a tractor for safe accessibility.

Though farming is physically demanding, modern technology can make it possible for a farmer with a physical limitation or health condition to stay on the farm and keep working. AgrAbility can bring assistive technology to the farm by finding the right adaptations for your particular needs.  Every day, new devices and methods are developed to make independent living and working possible and easier. For more information, contact Ron Jester at 302-856-7303 or rcjester@udel.edu.

For the past four years, Dr. Frederick W. (Rick) Kutz has chaired the 15-member Maryland Pesticide Advisory Committee, which reviews current pesticide management and advises the Secretary of Agriculture of actions necessary to produce healthy agricultural products and to protect structures, while ensuring the health of citizens and protection of natural resources.

“I believe that the committee provides a scientific forum for State agencies, independent technical experts and the interested public to discuss pesticide issues,” said Dr. Kutz. “Pesticides have provided many benefits to our culture. They protect humans and animals from terrible diseases, they help provide quality food and fiber for us, and finally they preserve our buildings and other material investments. However, as with many modern marvels, pesticides have risks associated with their use.  They are biologically-active (= toxic) compounds, and their risks and benefits need to be carefully evaluated.”

Dr. Kutz is a current member of Towson University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Planning.  He also has a limited consulting practice in environmental sciences specializing in public health and environmental research, monitoring and assessment.

“My hope is that our committee will foster and promote all methods of pest management, including the use of pesticides, in ways that enhance their benefits while minimizing their risks. Techniques of integrated pest management, open marsh water management for mosquito control and other scientific advances offer unique opportunities to do this,” continued Dr. Kutz.

In 2002 he retired as a Senior Research Scientist from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after 33 years of service.  During his EPA career, Dr. Kutz conducted research on human and environmental monitoring and assessment, and held various scientific management positions, including the Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program.

Dr. Kutz holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Delaware with emphasis in medical entomology and parasitology. He earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University majoring in entomology with minors in physiology and ecology. In addition to his employment at EPA, he has worked professionally in academia, corporate research and the military. He has received numerous awards, including the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service and a Towson University Lifetime Achievement Award.  He also serves on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

Dr. Kutz and his wife Arlene have been married for over 45 years and have two grown children and four grandsons. He has published over 75 articles in the open scientific literature and 14 government reports, edited a scientific reference book on chlorodioxins, and been the technical advisor on three video presentations.

Maryland Crab Imperial Nachos

½ jar Goya Recanito sauce
1 jalapeño pepper (seeds removed)
juice from ½ lime
1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup Maryland crab meat 

Combine all ingredients except crab meat.  Refrigerate overnight.  Slowly fold in crab meat.

Old Bay to taste

Combine all ingredients except crab meat.  Slowly fold in crab meat.  Place in a shallow baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Fall is a Great Time to Plant Fruit Trees

 

 

Plant apple trees now to enjoy fresh apples from your own backyard next year. Maryland’s Best is your source to find the best local products from Maryland farmers. Click here to find a nursery where you can purchase local fruit trees to enjoy.