“We challenge all Maryland residents, institutions and organizations to buy local products and help strengthen our State’s economy, preserve farmland, sustain a healthy environment, and provide a fresh, nutritious diet for our families.”

— Governor O’Malley 

Governor Martin O’Malley announced the dishes that will be featured as he hosts the 4th annual buy local cookout to launch the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 23-31). The Governor invited teams comprised of one chef and at least one farmer, waterman or producer to submit recipes featuring locally grown, raised or harvested ingredients. More than 30 recipes were submitted and 17 were selected for their creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients. All recipe submissions, along with wine pairing recommendations from the Maryland Wine Association, will be posted online beginning July 21 and featured in the 2011 Maryland Buy Local Cookout Recipes book, which will be published by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Click here to find out more about the selected recipes.

First Lady Katie O’Malley marked the beginning of the growing season by inviting students, Master Gardeners and other dignitaries to plant summer vegetable plants in the “Grow It, Eat It” garden on the grounds of Government House. Maryland is one of the first states in the nation to have a backyard food garden at the Governor’s home. The vegetable garden shows Maryland families what they can realistically grow in their own backyards.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting joined the First Lady, University of Maryland Master Gardeners and more than a dozen students from Cedar Chapel Special School to plant summer vegetable seedlings, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, swiss chard, and herbs.  The plants were grown by the students in their school greenhouse with seeds purchased by the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners. For more information.

Governor Martin O’Malley has committed about $16 million for the 2011-2012 Cover Crop Program, which provides grants to farmers who plant cover crops in the fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Farmers can enroll between June 21 and July 15, 2011 at their local soil conservation district offices.

“I applaud farmers for their commitment and leadership in planting a record 400,000 acres of cover crops last year,” said Governor O’Malley. “We hope to build upon this accomplishment by providing farmers with the investments they need to plant cover crops.” For more information.

June is National Dairy Month and MDA encourages all Marylanders to celebrate by enjoying healthy and nutritious local dairy products all month long (and throughout the year). National Dairy Month recognizes the importance of milk and dairy products to a well-balanced diet and to a healthy and thriving agricultural industry. One way to observe National Dairy Month is to visit one of the many Maryland farms that offer direct sale of farmstead cheese and ice cream to the public. A list of those dairy farms, including some goat cheese producers, can be found here. Or visit www.marylandsbest.net to find local farms near you.

Click here for a few fun facts about Maryland dairy. Watch a short video of Holly Foster, Chapel’s Country Creamery in Easton, discussing cheese making on her family farm.

Governor Martin O’Malley officially designated June 3-12 as Maryland Wine Week, and the Maryland Wineries Association — in partnership with fine restaurants and wine shops around the State — spent the week showcasing this growing and increasingly important industry. During the week, participating restaurants and wine shops — you could identify by them by the sign in their windows that said “We Pour Local” — held a variety of Maryland wine-themed events, including wine maker dinners, tastings, and wine flights. There are currently 50 licensed wineries in Maryland. These wineries, along with independent commercial vineyards, grow more than 700 acres of grapes. Maryland wineries sold about 1.4 million bottles of wine in 2009, and their wines are available at more than 900 retailers and 300 restaurants. MDA was among the organizations sponsoring Maryland Wine Week.

MDA is seeking nominations to fill nine positions on the Maryland Agricultural Commission. Those nine positions represent aquaculture, direct farm marketing, equine, Farm Credit, food processing, Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland State Grange, nursery, and poultry. Interested parties must have experience in the field of the position that they are interested in filling. Appointments are made by Governor Martin O’Malley, and each member is eligible to serve two, 3-year appointed terms. The 30-member Commission serves as an advisory body to Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture.  For more information.

With just a few mouse clicks and about two minutes of your time, you can donate $1 toward planting a tree in Maryland – and it won’t cost you a cent. By going to the Odwalla website and voting for “Maryland,” the Maryland will receive $1 to plant a tree in a state park. If you’ve been to a state park recently and picked up a 2011 Park Visitor Welcome Map, you can vote twice, using the code found on it. Share this great opportunity to help our State Parks with your friends and family. (As of June 15, Maryland was in sixth place with 3,717 votes!)

Also, check on the status of DNR’s Marylanders Plant Trees Program.
While there, you can print a $25 off coupon to use if you are planting a tree this year.

Mosquito season has just begun but the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program has already sprayed 88 percent of what it normally sprays by air in an average year – mostly on the Lower Eastern Shore. During the past 20 years, MDA has sprayed by air, on average, 159,000 acres a year to control adult mosquitoes. Since April, 140,000 acres have already been treated. For more information and tips for avoiding mosquito bites..

To honor the leaders of Maryland’s thriving agricultural community, MDA is accepting nominations of farmers and farm families for the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to the state’s leading industry.

Any farm family that derives its income principally from farming is eligible for the award. Since 1991, when the Hall of Fame was established, 41 farm families from 21 counties have been honored for their high standards of conduct; personal values; contributions to their community; and performance, leadership, innovation, and achievement in agriculture.

For a nomination form or further information, contact MDA at 410-841-5770 or contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Nominations are due to MDA by August 16, 2011, and will be reviewed by the Governor’s Selection Committee.

Maryland’s Best Recognizes Md. Dairy Products
Support Maryland Farmers, Buy Local  

Whether it’s ice cream, artisanal cheese, frozen yogurt or a cool glass of milk, Maryland residents are encouraged to purchase local dairy products from farms that sell directly to consumers to celebrate National Dairy Month. Dairy is the third largest agricultural commodity in Maryland and there are more than 520 dairy farms across the state. Be sure to enjoy Maryland dairy goodness this month and every month.