March 2010
Beginning in April, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail out more than 21,000 forms to equine owners and stable operators to collect information on Maryland’s equine industry for the 2009 calendar year. Completed forms are due by June 1. The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) has commissioned the NASS to conduct the census, which will be the second count in Maryland of all breeds regardless of ownership or use. The census is the only reliable measure of the size and economic impact of the industry for public and private decision making process. Anyone who receives an equine census questionnaire in the mail should complete the form and return it promptly. Anyone involved in equine activities who does not receive a questionnaire by May 1 should call the 1-800-675-0295 (toll free) to request a questionnaire. For more information about the Maryland Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service or the 2010 Maryland Equine Census, visit: www.marylandhorseindustry.org/census.shtml or www.nass.usda.gov/md.
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Maryland Department of Agriculture News
 MDA Celebrates National Ag Week |
Did you know that most of life’s necessities – food, fiber, clothing and shelter – start with agriculture? Recognizing that agriculture is one of Maryland’s most important industries, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is celebrating National Agriculture Week March 14-20, 2010. The week culminates on National Ag Day, which coincides with the first day of spring.
National Agriculture Week provides an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments and uniqueness of agriculture in each area of the State. From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms, maple syrup and hay, Central Maryland with its greenhouse, fresh market vegetables, livestock and equine industries, to the Eastern Shore’s thousands of acres of corn and soybeans, poultry and nursery sectors Maryland truly grows something for everyone.
Click here for seven ways Marylanders can celebrate Maryland Agriculture during National Agriculture Week.
 Maryland Farmers Offer Garden Planning Checklist, TipsSpring is almost here and now is the time to plan for your gardens. Maryland farmers have initiated a homeowner education campaign, “Take it from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay” to help gardeners by offering tips and online resources. |
The campaign highlights the importance of garden planning for stronger, healthier gardens and lawns in the upcoming growing season and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay. Additional topics include the wise use of fertilizers, trying pesticide alternatives and composting, controlling soil erosion and rainwater runoff, and conserving water. Click here to learn more.
 Md. Great Pumpkin Weigh-off |
As you plan your garden this spring, be sure to plant some giant pumpkin seeds and join in the fun of the Great Maryland Pumpkin Weigh-off officiated by MDA’s Weights and Measures Section in Annapolis. The only real rule in this contest is that the pumpkin has to be grown in Maryland by the person entering the contest. Farmers, backyard gardeners, and anyone else growing pumpkins is welcome. More details coming soon.
The current record for Maryland was set in 2008 with a 713.5 pound giant pumpkin grown by Anthony Watson from Kensington. Montgomery County is the number one pumpkin-growing county in the state. In 2007, Maryland farmers produced 14.8 million pounds of pumpkins on 2,000 acres valued at over $5 million.
Photo: 2009 World Record 1,725 pound pumpkin – Christy & Nick Harp
(Courtesy of GreatPumpkinCommonwealth.com)
 2010 Legislative UpdateThe 2010 General Assembly session has been busy for
agriculture. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has 11 departmental bills in various stages of play. Most have met with little to no opposition and eight have passed the originating houses. For the benefit of the agricultural community as a whole, MDA is also monitoring several bills that address estate taxes, net energy metering and deer hunting. The budget situation has created interesting challenges this session and it is difficult to support bills with any fiscal impact to the agency. Additionally, MDA is also faced with several serious proposed cuts by the Department of Legislative Services – opposed by MDA – including cuts to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, the Aquaculture and Seafood Marketing Program, the elimination of the Rural Maryland Council and additional cuts to Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistant Fund (MAERDAF) and Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO). In terms of legislation, MDA is working with sponsors on bills that reduce the regulatory burden for farmers selling at farmers markets, and has joined the Maryland Farm Bureau in opposing SB 359 (Fertilizers and Pesticides — Release Reporting), due to the fiscal and operational impact on MDA. MDA is monitoring HB 953 (Commercial Feed — Arsenic Prohibition) and HB 1360 (Invasive Plants — Labeling and Notice) as both would have a fiscal impact on the Department. MDA will provide a summary of how the 2010 General Assembly session affected agriculture soon after the legislators adjourn on April 12. |
 Dishing Up Maryland Launches March 24 |
A new cookbook featuring local Maryland products and the farmers that grow them is hitting book stores and online outlets this month. This stellar book captures the unique and delectable cuisine of Maryland with “150 recipes from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake Bay”. Dishing Up Maryland is authored by award-winning writer Lucie Snodgrass. Stunning photography by Edwin Remsberg, himself a farmer, provides the visual counterparts to stories of the farm families and chefs featured in the book. John Shields, renowned chef who embodies the buy local effort, provides the insightful foreword to the book.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Maryland’s Best program to promote the purchase of locally grown and raised products
for the benefit of the State’s farmers, watermen and related businesses.
 Maryland 3rd Grader Grows 15-lb CabbageCassie Jordan of Elkton Christian Academy grew a beautiful 15-pound cabbage and is the winner of the Bonnie Plants cabbage contest in Maryland. Jared Milhalko (Bonnie Plants representative) and Mark Powell (Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Chief of Marketing) presented Cassie with a $1,000 scholarship on February 23 during a school-wide assembly. |
In an effort to promote
gardening, Bonnie’s 3rd Grade Cabbage Program distributes free cabbage plants to
third-grade classrooms whose teachers sign up to participate. FFA partnered with
Bonnie Plants in administering this program and 45 states participated. Maryland
had 14 entries in 2009 from 95 participating schools. 1.2 million third-graders
planted and took care of their own cabbage plants. The cabbages are the O.S.
Cross variety, which are known for producing giant, oversized heads, making the
process even more exciting for kids.
 People Profile: Eddie BoyleBy day and sometimes by night depending upon the season, Michael E. “Eddie” Boyle, Jr. keeps the production flowing at Boyle Brothers, Inc., his family’s Queen Anne’s County seed cleaning business. He also raises livestock and grain with his father, giving him the opportunity to see multiple sides of the agriculture industry. He’s made involvement in his community and agricultural organizations an important part of his life. Eddie serves the Talbot County Farm Bureau, the Easton FFA, the Tri-County Ruritan Club, the St. Joseph’s Annual Jousting Tournament and Horse Show, and his church. He also is currently the chair of the state’s Young Farmer’s Advisory Board. From the scope of his involvement in his community and farming organizations, it is obvious that he wants to make a difference. |
“I like to stay informed, know what’s coming down the pike to help our industry adapt operationally,” Boyle said. “With the Young Farmer’s Advisory Board, this information allows us to advise the Secretary of Agriculture and the Maryland Agricultural Commission on how things will affect young farmers. This way we can be the voices for young farmers and encourage them to get involved.”
To help him become a more effective leader, Eddie applied to LEAD Maryland and was accepted as a Class III fellow. Prior to LEAD, he says he was always willing to help out and do work but didn’t want to step up and speak up. The LEAD fellowship helped him become comfortable speaking in public and voicing his opinion. The LEAD network provides another way for him to stay informed of upcoming issues.
As chair of the Young Farmer’s Advisory Board, he leads the group in identifying issues of importance to young farmers and communicating these to the public, government at all levels and the state Agricultural Commission. The group is currently working to expand its presence on the web, weigh in on legislation that could impact younger farmers, participate more fully in the Maryland Ag Commission activities, and generally raise the awareness and profile of agriculture among decision makers and the general public.
Boyle graduated from Easton High School and Attended Delaware Technical and Community College where he majored in Agri-Business.
| Recipe: Boneless Spring Lamb Roast
Courtesy
“Dishing Up Maryland” by Lucie Snodgrass Maryland has many farms that raise succulent spring lambs. Most sell locally, although some will ship. Visit MarylandsBest.net to find a farm near you. 1 lemon 1. Zest and juice the lemon. Combine the lemon zest and juice with the olive oil, 3 of the garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of the oregano, 1 teaspoon of the rosemary, the paprika, and the salt in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Place the leg of lamb in a large ziplock bag and add the marinade. Put the ziplock bag into a larger plastic bag or large container to ensure there is no leakage and place it in the refrigerator to marinate overnight, or for at least 4 hours. 6 servings |
Upcoming Events
NOTE: We regret that due to budget cuts and staffing limitations, the 2010 MDA Open House |
| We invite your feedback.
Thank you for reading our latest publication. We are always looking for ways to improve how we serve our constituents. Please send your comments, suggestions and ideas to mdanews@mda.state.md.us or call 410-841-5881.
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| Contact Info Sue duPont, Communications Director, 410-841-5889, dupontsk@mda.state.md.us Julie Oberg, Public Information Officer, 410-841-5888, obergja@mda.state.md.us |
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Maryland Department of Agriculture | 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway | Annapolis | MD | 21401
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1-888-373-7888
233733