The strategic plan for the future of Maryland agriculture has taken another step forward with the appointment of staff from 15 state agencies to serve as liaisons with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and farmers to help advance this sector of the state’s economy. To date, 100 of the 109 recommendations found in the plan, which was developed through a two-year grassroots effort, are either underway or completed. They all fall within the three main categories of expanding markets and profitability; maintaining an adequate base of productive farmland; and advocacy, education and outreach on behalf of the agricultural community.

“This statewide plan helps strengthen our middle class and our small and family owned businesses and farms, providing opportunity for more people, and protecting the health of our citizens and the environment,” said Governor O’Malley.  “When our farm businesses are sustainable, the next generation will see farming as a profitable career opportunity, and Maryland will preserve its open space and locally-grown food industry.”

Click here for more information.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) honored 61 employees recently for their years of service dedicated to the department. Ronald Rogers received special recognition for 40 outstanding years of public service. Three employees were honored for their 35 years of service; seven for 30 years of service, and 14 for 25 years of service.  The remaining honorees were recognized for public service of 10, 15, or 20 years. Click here for a listing by county of the MDA awardees who have reached a 25-year or greater milestone in their careers of public service.

“MDA and the agriculture community are fortunate to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable corps of employees working to strengthen the State of Maryland and this agency each and every day,” said MDA Secretary Roger Richardson. “For almost 35 years, MDA has been protecting consumers and the environment and ensuring fairness in the marketplace. It is a true testament to the value of our work that many of the employees honored this year have been with department since its founding.”

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to support Maryland agriculture through the purchase of farm-fresh products for decorations around the home, unique gifts, and locally-produced food and drinks for every holiday feast.  Click here to find out about the seasonal bounty offered by Maryland’s farms including lists of farmers’ markets, Maryland wineries, local seafood retailers, turkey growers, and choose-and-cut or retail operations selling Maryland-grown Christmas trees. The Maryland Christmas Tree Association has also published a directory of Choose & Cut Farms, which lists dozens of locations across Maryland where families can harvest their own Christmas trees.

There are many ways to buy local and support Maryland’s farmers all year long.  A few farmers’ markets across the state are open through the month of December and continue to offer fresh, seasonal, locally-grown produce such as apples, pears, persimmons, greens, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash, and beets.  Several markets also offer a variety of farm-made products like baked goods, honey, jams, jellies, syrups, cider, and an assortment of holiday gift items.  Consumers can also purchase a variety of meats and cheeses directly from the farms where they were produced.  A Maryland wine from one of the state’s 34 licensed wineries, along with fresh seafood from the Bay, will round out any holiday meal.

The Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Department of Agriculture thank everyone who commented on the proposed regulations for poultry operations over the past year. The formal public hearings in Salisbury, Wye Mills, and Frederick in mid-November follow three public meetings, four briefings with agricultural leadership groups, and numerous individual conversations.

 

With the onset of cooler autumn weather, many Maryland residents are turning on their furnaces and stocking up on wood to heat their homes. Anyone buying or selling wood should be familiar with regulations governing the measurement of firewood so that consumers get what they pay for. Maryland regulations require that firewood sold in the state only be sold by the cord, or fractional parts of a cord. Any other term, such as truckload, rack, face cord, or pile, is illegal. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Section regulates the sale of firewood.

This year, MDA urges county residents and sellers of firewood not to transport firewood out of Prince George’s and Charles counties to homes, hunting or camping locations, rather buy it where it will be burned to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. For more information, click here.

Secretary of Agriculture Roger Richardson named Michael A. Cantwell program manager for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program as of October 8.

Cantwell began his career with MDA in 1972 and has served as the acting program manager of the office since February 1.

Mr. Richard P. Penna, Pharm.D., is the current chair of the nine-member Governor’s Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing, which advises the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Council on the allocation of funds from the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund. The Commission, established in July 2006, also identifies strategies to facilitate the growth of viticulture in Maryland.

Mr. Penna spent most of his career in organized pharmacy. As he neared retirement, Mr. Penna started planting grapes as a hobby in 1986. He now is dedicated to grape growing and wine making full time at his farm – Antietam Vineyards in Knoxville, MD (Washington County) – where he grows a wide variety of red and white grapes.

Mr. Penna explained there is a strong connection between making medicine and making wine that involves very similar chemistry and biology. “Making wine was easy; it’s the growing of grapes that required the learning part. The Maryland Grape Growers Association as well as area grape growers were a tremendous help to me, though nothing teaches like experience!”

He got his start with the commission while lobbying for a new building in Baltimore for the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.  During his efforts, he met with Sen. Donald Munson of Washington County, who has a vital interest in agriculture.  Senator Munson thought growing grapes might be a good way for Western Maryland farmers to diversify and add value to their operations.

As a result, Senator Munson, then MDA Sec. Lewis Riley, farmers, and University of Maryland met in Hagerstown. Sec.  Riley then appointed the “Maryland Wine and Grape Advisory Committee” to help strengthen Maryland’s rural and agricultural economy by identifying strategies to strengthen and expand Maryland’s grape and wine economies and their markets.  Mr. Penna chaired that committee, which released a report with 59 recommendations including that the legislature allocate money each year to support the industry.  The Commission, celebrating its third anniversary this spring, was formed to oversee the funds.

“This is a success story of citizens making a difference by playing a vital role in talking with their legislators,” said Mr. Penna. “I am especially proud of the Commission’s efforts and educational programs. Through the Capital Assistance Program, we are partnering with farmers to share the cost of planting new vines, making it possible for vineyards to expand. The Maryland wine industry is beginning to draw attention to itself. We’ve made enormous progress and the interest continues to increase. When the Commission started, there were about 15 wineries and now there are 34. Wine and grape growers bring a cost-effective value to the state and need to continue to expand.”

Many varieties of grapes are grown and there are more than 240 different wines produced by Maryland’s 34 licensed wineries in all styles-from dry to dessert. Maryland wine sales were up 19 percent in 2007 and represent a $12.7 million industry in the State. The wineries are popular tourist destinations and attract visitors to other nearby sites.  Click here to learn more.

“My vision is that the Commission will continue to draw attention to Maryland wines as a quality product and the value they bring to the State through tax revenues, tourism and the valuable economic benefits offered by grape growing and farming.  I look forward to continuing the growth of the wine industry in Maryland and would hope folks with land will consider growing grapes as a good investment that offers a valuable return.”Mr. Penna has two daughters, a son and five grandchildren. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California Medical Center at San Francisco.

From the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Seafood Marketing Program

2    large stalks celery
1    medium onion
1/2  cup (1 stick) margarine or butter
1     teaspoon salt
1/2  teaspoon lemon and pepper seasoning
1/8  teaspoon mace
1/8  teaspoon tarragon
1/8  teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2  teaspoon lemon juice
1    pint shucked Maryland oysters, with liquor
8    slices day old bread, cubed

Enjoy Fresh, Local Products This Holiday Season!