Governor Martin O’Malley joined about 700 agricultural leaders and legislators from across the State to induct two farming families into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame on Feb. 3. The Kohl Family of Kent County and Layton Family of Dorchester County are the 40th and 41st recipients of the prestigious recognition during the annual “Taste of Maryland” agriculture event.

During his remarks, Governor O’Malley focused on the outstanding leadership, stewardship and accomplishments of the agricultural community. He commended farmers for setting an all-time record by planting nearly 400,000 acres of cover crops this year.  The Governor  also reiterated his support for the agricultural community through personal involvement and policy initiatives as well as his belief in the vital necessity of a thriving agricultural industry to the health of the State, its citizens, the economy and the environment.  Click here for more details.

L-R: Gov. O’Malley, Laura Layton, Joe Layton photo credit Governor’s Press Office

Maryland farmers participating in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Cover Crop Program planted a record nearly 400,000 acres of  cover crops on their farms last fall to control soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff and protect water quality in streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.  The 2010 cover crop planting is the largest in Maryland history and exceeds Maryland’s 2011 Bay cleanup goal by 20 percent.

County-level data collected from Maryland’s 2010 Equine Census reveals an industry with assets valued at $5.6 billion and expenditures just under $513 million.  There are approximately 80,000 equine animals in Maryland that are located in over 16,040 locations around the state.  Equine operations account for a total of 587,000 acres of which 188,000 acres are devoted to equine and 88,000 acres are enrolled in land preservation programs. (Note: Inventory count was determined by location of each horse on May 1, 2010.)

Every day, Marylanders decide what to buy – groceries or gas, home heating oil or a piece of jewelry, firewood or mulch.  These diverse purchasing decisions have one common thread: Maryland Department of Agriculture staff inspects the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices.

Weights and Measures Week provides an opportunity to educate consumers, businesses and lawmakers about the quiet but systematic effort of the state and local weights and measures officials who have instilled so much trust in our marketplace. Americans seldom question the quantity statement on a package, the scale at a check stand, or the gallons they put into their cars and even fewer would know who is responsible for instilling that confidence. Click here to learn more about Maryland’s Weights and Measures Program.

LEAD Maryland Class VI recently completed its two-year educational fellowship program with an international trip to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan.  The program is designed for individuals with leadership potential who are involved with the production of agriculture, or have careers or activities related to agriculture, natural resources or rural communities. The current class includes MDA staff: Joanna Kille, director of government relations and Dawn Bradley from the Office of Resource Conservation.

The LEAD Class VI spent a whirlwind 11 days in the Far East last month, stopping in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan.  Fellows had an opportunity to meet with officials from the USDA Agricultural Trade Office in Hong Kong, take a jetty down the Mekong River and see agricultural products traveling by boat, see several “wet” markets in the three countries, meet with the CEO of a large feed mill and poultry processing operation in Vietnam and meet with the U.S. Agricultural head in Taipei, Taiwan.

The fellowship program includes a series of multi-day seminars held at various locations around the state and Washington D.C.  In addition, LEAD fellows travel abroad to learn about other countries political, economic, social and other issues. Lead Class VII starts next month. Click here for more information or to apply for the program.

Six junior chefs from Maryland competed for top honors in the 4th annual Junior Chefs Rockfish Cooking Contest on Feb. 3.  Click here for the recipes and more details.

The event, which was sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Seafood Marketing Program and the Sea Grant programs of the universities of Maryland and Delaware, was part of the 2011 East Coast Commercial Fisherman’s and Aquaculture Trade Exposition in Ocean City.

The contest was part of the Maryland Rockfish Celebration, which is also taking place in Maryland restaurants and retail markets through the end of February.

For the past decade, Karl Roscher has served as the aquaculture coordinator for the State of Maryland. He has a passion and a keen knowledge of aquaculture.  He grew up with a great appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay, spending much of his youth fishing and crabbing here.  As the aquaculture coordinator, Karl enjoys his role as liaison between government and industry to help businesses become established in Maryland and currently spends most of his time managing oyster aquaculture permitting process.

He developed a strong interest in aquaculture while earning his Bachelor of Science in Marine Science at the University of Miami.  He started with the state Department of Agriculture in 1990 with the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program.  In the late 1990s he spent three years as the State’s aquatic animal health inspector, charged with helping farmers develop better management techniques to make their operations more productive.  He also developed health certification protocols with MDA’s College Park Animal Health Lab to help farmers diagnose and resolve aquatic animal diseases and other problems in the field.  At that time there were a lot of finfish operations in Maryland.  “I gained a lot of experience quickly and really enjoyed working with farmers in the field,” said Karl.  He then became the aquaculture coordinator in 2000

Since its founding in 2005, Karl has served on the 17-member Aquaculture Coordinating Council, which advises the Governor and General Assembly to promote the development of aquaculture and to make proposals based on stakeholder input to advance the Maryland aquaculture industry.  He is most proud of his work on the council that helped to develop best management practices for Maryland aquaculture. Another monumental accomplishment of the council was their work to change Maryland’s Shellfish Leasing Law, which passed unanimously in 2009. Prior to that, Maryland’s law had not been updated in over a century.  Karl also chairs the Aquaculture Review Board, whose five members are charged with aquaculture permitting and oversight in regulatory compliance.

In his spare time, Karl runs a charter fishing boat out of Ocean City. He likes a challenge and enjoys woodworking – especially building custom furniture, and hunting.  He resides in Annapolis with his wife Robin.

Recipe courtesy of Lucie Snodgrass, author of Dishing Up Maryland. Photo Credit: Leite’s Culinaria

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 pound bacon, diced
1 cup onions, peeled and diced
1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
1 cup diced celery
1 (3-5 pound rabbit), cleaned and cut into pieces
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
2 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
3-5 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1.) Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat and cook the bacon, onions, carrots, and celery until tender.  Remove the bacon and vegetables from the pot and set aside.

2.) Brown the rabbit pieces in the stockpot over medium heat until golden on all sides.  Remove the pot from the heat.  Drain any remaining oil from the stockpot.  Add 1 cup of water to the pot and stir.  Return the bacon and vegetables to the pot and add the tomatoes.  If needed, add additional water to cover the rabbit meat.  Cook on low heat, covered, for 1 1/2 hours.

3.) Add the corn and potatoes and simmer for an additional 45 minutes.  Remove the rabbit meat and cut it up.  Return the meat to the pot.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Go Green, Join a CSA, Enjoy Local Produce All Summer!
Support Maryland Farmers, Buy Local 

Go green and buy local by joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm.  CSAs are another way for residents to buy fresh, nutritious food directly from a local farmer and to better understand how our food is grown. Act today to reserve your spot.  Click here for a list of CSA farms and to learn more.