In October, as part of Governor O’Malley’s Capital for a Day in Laurel, I toured the nearby USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. We saw cutting-edge conservation and remote sensing research underway.  Later in the day, I showed my fellow Cabinet members a plastic cup made at the Center from poultry feathers. It is hoped that this technology will one day be adapted for use as containers or liners in the nursery industry.

It is this kind of technology and innovation from USDA, the University of Maryland and many others that is helping Maryland agriculture advance Chesapeake Bay restoration.  Innovative best management practices, reporting of results, and active involvement by farmers and policy makers keep Maryland as a leader in Bay restoration.

As a state, our progress for key indicators  is documented online at www.baystat.maryland.gov.  The “solutions” part of the website shows that for most areas, agriculture
has made significant contributions to the “all source” nutrient reduction
effort.  Governor O’Malley has been vigilant about getting
input directly from farmers and agricultural organizations, sorting through
competing information to find the facts, and relaying agriculture’s
accomplishments to others.

The Governor has not hesitated to
speak up for agriculture. Most recently, he wrote to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson expressing concern that EPA
is planning to have one set of farm regulations for Maryland poultry operations
and another set for operations in the rest of the country, setting up a
competitive disadvantage for our producers.
He has also spoken with her directly about a number of Chesapeake Bay
restoration issues of concern to farmers and others involved in the process.  Administrator Jackson responded that “EPA
regulations for CAFOs are national in scope and apply uniformly throughout the
country” and that she “expects to work in close partnership with the State of
Maryland and other jurisdictions in developing federal strategies designed to
meet our shared goals for the Chesapeake Bay.”

Regarding the Draft Implementation
Strategy for the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order that was announced last week, EPA
is accepting comments through January 8, 2010 (executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net).
The document will be final in May 2010 and will impact farm operations.  To date, EPA has been receptive to Maryland’s
official comments.  Another bill to watch is the Chesapeake Bay
Ecosystem Restoration Act of 2009 presented by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. It has
both regulatory implications and positive financial resources for cleanup
efforts.

Finally, the CAFO permit and the Maryland Animal
Feeding Operation (MAFO) process have deadlines that are nearing.  Governor O’Malley recently called MDE, MDA
and the Farm Bureau together with his top level staff to find out if anything
more can be done to inform producers and to make the permit as manageable as
possible.  The result is a mailing from
MDE of all pertinent forms and information to the 480 or so operations that
submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) back in February.  In addition, MDE will create a
website that farmers can use to determine if they need a permit.  The discharge permit will become effective
Dec. 1. Documents in the package need to be signed and returned no later
than Jan. 4, 2010.

In summary, MDA and Governor
O’Malley are working hard on behalf of Maryland agriculture and the Chesapeake
Bay. While efforts are ramped up to meet the Bay restoration goals, we want to
make sure that there are technical and financial resources available for
farmers and landowners.  While MDA
represents agriculture’s interests in the policy arena, farmers need to become
more involved.  Reach out to your county
and state farm bureaus, farmland preservation organizations, and others that are
involved to learn the issues.
Make sure to let your elected officials know what would be best for you
and your business. Please respond to requests for information from MDA and from
our Agricultural Statistics Service.

We
are actively providing input into the process and need you to do the same in a unified
voice and in work groups as the process evolves.  Together we are charting a smart, green and
growing future for agriculture, the Bay and for our children.

Thank you. I wish you all the best,

Buddy Hance,