Governor Martin O’Malley joined more than 800 agricultural leaders and legislators from across the State on Feb. 5 to induct two farming families into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.  The Harry Black Family of Frederick County and the Griffith Family in Anne Arundel County became the 36th and 37th recipients of the prestigious recognition during the annual Maryland Agriculture Dinner at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.  Department of Agriculture Secretary Roger L. Richardson joined Governor O’Malley during the presentation.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its every-five-year Census of Agriculture showing that in Maryland since the last Census conducted in 2002 there are 636 or 5 percent more farms, 25,874 or 1 percent fewer acres of farmland,  and 16 percent more female principal farm operators.  The latest figures indicate that farmers enrolled 57 percent more farms and 48 percent more acreage in conservation programs between 2002 and 2007. From an economic standpoint, the value of agricultural products sold increased 42 percent to $1.84 billion while production expenses increased by 137 percent to $1.55 billion.  Average net farm income increased 59 percent from 2002 to 32,161 per farm.

“These data show a true and increasing commitment by farmers to use conservation practices as part of their farm management and to protect the environment for future generations and I thank them for that commitment,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.  “Agriculture is resilient and a critical part of our state’s economy, quality of life, environment and food supply and one that we are committed to strengthening.”

According to the Maryland  Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program’s (MACS) 2008 Annual Report, the program provided Maryland farmers with $11.3 million in conservation grants which were used to install 2,000 conservation projects on farms.  Despite the economic downturn, farmers who received cost-share grants from MACS invested more than $1.6 million of their own money into projects that will collectively prevent an estimated 2.4 million pounds of nitrogen and 138,300 pounds of phosphorus from entering Maryland waterways each year.

The Nutrient Management Program states through its 2008 Accomplishments Report that as of Dec. 31, 2008, 98 percent of the state’s 6,000 eligible farmers have filed nutrient management plans with MDA.  In addition, Annual Implementation Reports describing how farmers implemented their nutrient management plans during the preceding year have been submitted for 99 percent of Maryland’s farmland, or 1.2 million acres.  Enforcement activities remained strong, with approximately 450 on-farm inspections.  In 2008, MDA issued 1,700 warning letters to farmers who failed to file the AIRs, followed by 680 notifications of pending fines.  Fines have been levied against 144 farmers who remain out of compliance.

On February 11, University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. Mote, Jr., College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Dr. Cheng-I Wei, and the leaders of each of the major programs within the College hosted the monthly meeting of the Maryland Agriculture Commission.  Commission members learned about the world-class offerings of the College and toured a number of the University’s agriculture-related facilities on the College Park campus.

Dr. Mote outlined the University’s commitment to its land grant roots and its strategic plan, Transforming Maryland – Higher Expectations.  Food safety, sustainability and enterprise development are areas in which the College is focusing many of its efforts under the University’s strategic plan to develop leaders who can meet global needs and demands of the future. Two new initiatives described by Dr. Mote and Dr. Nick Place, Associate Director and Associate Dean of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, include the Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center and a degree program in Environmental Science and Technology which is run by Dr. Frank Coale. Both of these initiatives, along with a drive for new research, advance recommendations in the Statewide Plan for Agriculture and Resource Policy led by the Maryland Agriculture Commission. Dr. Place also discussed the direction of extension as being one of specialists operating in regional clusters as a way to meet the needs of a diversifying agricultural industry.

Dr. Lars Olsen, chair of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Dr. Micky Parish, chair of Nutrition and Food Science, Glori Hyman, interim director of the Institute of Applied Agriculture and Dr. Coale illustrated the outstanding research and academic programs that are garnering worldwide attention for the University, providing new technologies for industries including agriculture, and attracting top-notch students.  Visits to the research greenhouse complex, the campus farm, the turfgrass research and education facility and the College Park campus of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine showed equally impressive, cutting-edge academic activity right here in our back yard.  The veterinary school has received a large grant to conduct, with other university partners, one of the highest profile veterinary projects in the country. This project aims to understand the molecular basis for interspecies transmission and pathogenesis of avian influenza viruses, including vaccine development.This project is of great interest to our poultry industry and public health partners. Discussion wrapped up with a presentation about 4-H programs by Kendra Wells, assistant director, 4-H Youth Development.

It became obvious to the Commission members through the tours and presentations by top faculty and researchers, that the University of Maryland is clearly on a path to transform Maryland.  The breadth and depth of university activity is on track to help move forward agriculture, the State, and the world through leading research and the highest caliber graduates.

The current General Assembly session is shaping up to be a busy one.  The Department of Budget and Management, along with the leadership of the General Assembly, has said that any bills with any cost attached to them would be scrutinized or outright rejected.From a policy perspective, the Chesapeake Bay is a focal point of most if not all of the environmental legislation that will impact farmers.  Several bills to reduce the level of phosphorous or tax fertilizer users have been introduced.  In addition, MDA expects to see legislation to establish a reporting system for pesticide and fertilizer use.  Legislation to expand allowable practices (wind/solar and natural gas) on farmland enrolled in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), as well as a bill to increase mandatory inspections on MALPF properties have or will be introduced.  Finally, a bill to expand the standing rights has been introduced by Senator Brian Frosh.

The O’Malley Administration has also put forward several bills for consideration.  A number of these bills would implement recommendations from the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, setting goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and modifying the oyster lease law to enhance the acquaculture industry in maryland.

MDA is currently following more than 80 bills.  MDA has also put forward departmental bills.  A description of the bills, as well as information on the other bills MDA is monitoring can be found online.  For more information, please contact Joanna Kille, Director of Government Relations, at killejw@mda.state.md.us

Chair, Aquaculture Advisory Council

Don Webster is chairman of the Aquaculture Coordinating Council.  As a fisheries and aquaculture expert with more than 30 years’ experience at the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension in research and education, he was part of the Task Force on Seafood and Aquaculture that led to the 2005 legislation establishing the Council. He has gladly and ably led the group as chair or vice chair though most of its years.

Because of his deep experience, Webster is uniquely qualified to lead the group that advises decision-makers and industry representatives on aquaculture policy. He explains some of the industry’s history in the Bay region: “In the late 1970s, it became apparent that we were having problems with our natural resources, and I began working with aquaculture. We had one of the largest aquaculture extension programs in the country up to the 1990s. We worked on commercializing striped bass and hybrid aquaculture, developed recirculating crab shedding systems, and worked with many other fish, plants and production systems.

Shellfish aquaculture always made sense and …in the early 1980s we began a series of educational programs to teach growers how to use ‘remote setting’ to produce oyster seed economically. That project changed when disease epizootics surged in the mid 1980s and forever changed the nature of the resource and the industry.”

Webster’s vision for the Council is that it will continue to be the principal aquaculture advisory group. Aquaculture is a clean industry and is one of the fastest growing parts of American agriculture. Maryland has many production and marketing advantages and is working to expand it. The Council has been a strong advocate for aquaculture as a means of increasing seafood production in Maryland, which is Webster’s guiding principle. “I see it as a natural way to keep quality seafood in production and, in the case of shellfish, offer significant ecological benefits to our state as well.”

After visiting aquaculture operations in the Chincoteague Bay area this past summer, Governor O’Malley requested a plan to advance and expand aquaculture.  The Aquaculture Coordinating Council recommended a new bottom leasing program (revising for the first time a 103-year-old law), which the Governor submitted as part of his legislative package.  If the bill is successful, Webster expects that Maryland will be able to attract the capital for investment into the industry that will provide economic growth and increase employment while gaining environmental benefits. In short, it is a way to find a private sector solution to a public sector problem.  This legislation and the creation of industry Best Management Practices in 2006 are two of the Council’s accomplishments of which Webster is most proud.  Both will have lasting positive impact on the industry.

Join a CSA to Support Local Farmers and Get Delicious, Healthy, Fresh Produce All Summer!

Community supported agriculture (CSA) farms are another way for farmers to boost their profitability and for residents to buy fresh, locally-grown food. CSA members pay an upfront subscription fee to farmers in return for a share of the season’s harvest, which is usually provided weekly throughout the summer.

Click here for a list of Maryland’s CSA farms that have signed up with the department’s Maryland’s Best program.