Governor O’Malley Proclaims November 15 Heraldic and Crandell Family Day in Maryland

From Left: Ashley Valis of the Governor’s Office; Erin Pittman, Vice Chair of Maryland Horse Industry Board; Mary Ellen Setting, MDA Deputy Secretary; John Crandell, III, Heraldic and members of the Crandell Family.

MDA hosted a homecoming celebration for Anne Arundel horse trainer John Crandell III and his Triple Crown winning Arabian gelding, Heraldic, who together won two silver medals at the Pan American Games in Chile last month. Crandell and Heraldic will lead the U.S. Team in the World Endurance Championship in England in 2012. Heraldic and Crandell are the only team ever to win the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing, which they did in 2006. The Crandell family was presented with a proclamation from Governor Martin O’Malley, declaring November 15 “Heraldic and Crandell Family Day in Maryland.” The Maryland Horse Industry Board also presented the Crandells with a “Touch of Class” Award for their dedication and commitment to the highest standards of excellence in Maryland’s equine community.  For more information about the event 

MDA inspections conducted this month at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) showed that 100 percent of international and 91 percent of domestic airport baggage scales were accurate. The six percent found to be in violation of weight accuracy were all in favor of the consumer. The remaining three percent had minor violations not related to weight accuracy. Such inspections are a routine part of the work of MDA’s Weights and Measures program, which works to ensure that anything Maryland consumers by weight, measurement or count is accurate. Maryland currently has 16 Weights and Measure inspectors who are responsible for the accuracy of 60,759 weighing and measuring devices in commercial use at 9,217 separate businesses locations. Click here for more information. Check out the ABC2 News story here. 

Survey Focuses on Chesapeake Bay Watershed

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will soon visit selected farmers in Maryland as part of its 2011 National Resources Inventory – Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) survey. To be conducted between November 2011 and February 2012, the survey will gather information from producers about farming and conservation practices on cultivated cropland. The information will help NASS document the prevalence of all conservation practices and provide the base to strengthen conservation planning, implementation and management. Information will also be important to MDA and the state in developing Phase II of the EPA’s Watershed Implementation Plan. As with all NASS surveys, respondents are guaranteed by law that their individual information will be kept confidential. For more information.

USDA approved Governor Martin O’Malley request for a disaster designation for widespread crop losses due to extreme weather conditions this year, which included excessive heat, drought, and damage resulting from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Eligible farmers in the disaster designation have eight months from the date of the designation to apply for USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.  For more information.

Maryland’s redesigned Smart, Green & Growing website is providing citizens, businesses, organizations and local governments with a one-stop connection the State’s sustainable programs, services and tools as well as a terrific platform for highlighting green successes and ideas.

Governor Martin O’Malley launched Smart, Green and Growing in 2008 to engage every Marylander in the State’s efforts to create a more sustainable future – one that recognizes the inherent connection between our quality of life, our economy and our environment.

The program is currently seeking partners – organizations that are helping create a more sustainable future by promoting SGG information to their members, customers and constituents, adopting sustainable practices and sharing their own innovative ideas and successes.

Become an SGG Partner, learn about our state’s genuine progress, check out the green registry and more at green.Maryland.gov or call or email us at 410-260-8021 or [email protected] for more information.

Ingredients:

8 cups assorted salad greens, torn into pieces
1 large, ripe pear, cored and sliced
1 tart apple, cored and sliced
3 chicken breast halves, grilled, skinned and cut into strips
2 tablespoons minced scallions
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon honey mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
6 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Line a platter with the salad greens.  Top with the pear and apple slices, chicken, scallions and pecans. Sprinkle the cheese over the salad.

Combine the mustard, vinegar, orange juice, olive oil and salt in medium bowl.  Whisk together until smooth and pour over the salad. Finish with pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

Recipe provided courtesy of Lucie Snodgrass and Dishing Up Maryland.

Maryland’s Best Promotes Local Holiday Gifts
Support Maryland Farmers, Buy Local 

In these tough economic times, there is no better way to save on fuel, help the environment, and keep your money in your community than by buying local products directly from a producer whenever possible. You may even find they are less expensive than at stores where goods have been transported long distances. Regardless, they will be fresh, great tasting and unique. Look for locally-grown and -made products for holiday meals, decorations, and gifts. Visit MarylandsBest.net for locations near you.