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 Maryland Department of Agriculture News
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| Celebrating Maryland Agriculture |
June 2012 |
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Secretary’s Corner
With the approach of the 4th of July celebration, I am reminded of the strong agricultural roots that founded our great nation. A century ago, more than 40 percent of the U.S. population was directly involved in agriculture. Now, about 2 percent of the U.S. population derives its living from agricultural production. Yet American farmers are the world’s most productive, and more than 98 percent of American farms are owned by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations.
USDA & Ag Census
This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, founded by President Abraham Lincoln. By providing resources, assisting in conservation, helping with marketing on a national and international scale, and much more, the USDA has been the key to a strong agriculture industry in this country. I urge farmers to sign up to participate in the USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture by the July 1 deadline to ensure they are included in this national count of U.S. farms and ranches. The Ag Census provides policy makers with the only source of impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. It also helps give us the reliable, credible data we need to show the value and importance of agriculture.
Crop Insurance
This month has been extremely dry and hot. We are starting to see the effects of the weather on corn and other crops that are not being irrigated. We remind farmers to check with their crop insurance agent before harvesting or destroying crops. If the dry conditions persist, resulting in earlier harvests, farmers will need to absorb excess nutrients from the soil and there will be a greater opportunity to plant cover crops.
Cover Crops
I strongly encourage all Maryland farmers to plant cover crops this year. Farmers can sign up between June 21 and July 16 at their local soil conservation district office. I sincerely thank and commend our farmers who made last year’s 429,000 acre cover crop planting the largest in the program’s history. It will go a long way toward helping Maryland restore the Chesapeake Bay. Cover crops are one of the most cost-effective and sustainable ways to protect crop fields from soil erosion and waterways from nutrient runoff.
Nutrient Management Meetings
MDA has scheduled four public meetings in July around the state to explain proposed changes to Maryland’s nutrient management regulations and to give citizens an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments on the proposal. Click here for the meeting details. Also, follow us on Twitter @MdAgDept for reminders and updates about these hearings and other ag-related issues and news.
Buy Local Challenge Week
As you gather with friends and family this 4th of July, celebrate with a cookout featuring local food and taste the difference. You will also be supporting your local family farms. We hope you will participate in Maryland’s Buy Local Challenge Week, which will take place statewide July 21-29. During this week we encourage everyone to eat at least one product from a local farm every day. Sign up for the challenge with your friends and take the official pledge. You could win a catered lunch featuring local foods for everyone in your office! Be sure to ask for local foods in your schools.
Ice Cream Trail Open
On the first day of summer, I had the pleasure of visiting three farm-based creameries along our new Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail and look forward to visiting the remaining four this summer.
As you head out for your vacations or “staycations” this summer, consider hitting the trail and sampling Maryland’s finest ice cream from the seven farm-based creameries participating in the nation’s first all-farm Ice Cream Trail. Also, check out the geocaches while you are at each site!
Energy Grants
USDA this week announced that five Maryland farms were selected to receive grants for projects focused on: helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. More details.
Congratulations to: Oakcrest Farm, Ridgely Hummingbird Farms, Inc., GRH Partners/Green Point Farms, Euphoria Farms/George Morris, Trippe Callahan, and Creek Bound Farms, LLC.
H-2A
For anyone who uses the federal H-2A program, please note, starting August 2, 2012, all H-2A hard copy filings must be submitted to new addresses. Click here for more details published in the Federal Register.
Ag Fairs and Shows
July marks the beginning of Maryland’s agricultural fairs and shows, starting with the Talbot County Fair on July 11. These local fairs, community shows, livestock competitions and other agricultural events range in scale, but all of them illustrate the important role that Maryland agriculture plays in our everyday lives and our collective futures. Check out our 2013 guide to find local fairs and shows.
I wish you all a great summer. Enjoy all that Maryland farms have to offer, whether it’s ag-tourism activities, a beautiful landscape, a relaxing horse ride, or our delicious fresh produce.
See you on the farm!
Sincerely,
Buddy Hance
Secretary
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July is National Ice Cream Month; Celebrate on the Newly Minted Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail
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Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting opened the ice cream trail this month, starting at Rocky Point Creamery with the Fry family and Danielle Anderson, Alternate Maryland Dairy Princess (L) and Colby Ferguson (R).
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Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting officially opened Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail this month — the first in the nation to feature dairy farms that produce farm fresh ice cream and sell it directly to consumers on the farm. Maryland has seven such dairy farms across the state, and anyone who visits each of the seven creameries before September 7 will have a chance to be named Maryland’s Best 2012 Ice Cream Trailblazer. The prize? More ice cream!
The trail recognizes National Dairy Month (June) as well as National Ice Cream Month (July). In addition to providing a tasty treat, the trail recognizes the importance of Maryland’s 495 dairy farms and encourages the general public to visit a farm, talk to the farmers and get a better understanding of what dairy farming is all about.
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Governor O’Malley Announces Local Menu for the
Fifth Annual Buy Local Cookout
Event Challenges All Marylanders to “Buy Local, Eat Fresh”
Governor Martin O’Malley has announced the 16 recipes that will be featured at the 5th Annual Buy Local Cookout, an increasing popular event that will kick off Maryland’s Buy Local Challenge Week, July 21-29. Recipes for the event, submitted by teams of Maryland chefs and producers, were selected for their creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients. During Buy Local week, Marylanders are challenged to eat at least one locally grown, made or harvested product each day. For more information.
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MHIB Presents May, June Touch of Class Awards for Excellence in Equine Industry
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Merlin and owner Joan Marie Twining accept award.
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A special delegation of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) visited Rose of Sharon Equestrian School in Glen Arm this month to present its May Touch of Class Award to Merlin, a 32 year-old national champion therapeutic riding mount, who has helped hundreds of special needs children and adults deal with emotional issues and traumas throughout his career. For more information about Merlin.
The MHIB presented its June Touch of Class Award to three U.S. Dressage Federation gold medalists, a national
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(from left) MHIB Member Jane Thery, Award Recipients Scott Hassler, Susanne Hassler, and Christine Betz, MHIB Chair Jim Steele. (Not pictured Jaralyn Finn and Royal Prince)
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coach and one horse who have helped propel Maryland’s dressage community into the national spotlight. The awards were presented during the Potomac Valley Dressage Association’s Ride For Life and Dancing Horse Challenge – a fundraiser for the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer, held at the Show Place Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center.
For more information. |
| Public Meetings Scheduled to Present Proposed Changes to Nutrient Management Regulations
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Farmers Urged to Sign up for Cover Crops by July 16
Following up on the restoration  goals outlined in Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay, Governor Martin O’Malley has allocated approximately $18 million for MDA’s 2012-2013 Cover Crop Program. This popular program provides grants to farmers who plant cover crops in their fields in the fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Farmers may sign up for this year’s cover crop program by visiting their local soil conservation district office between June 21 and July 16, 2012. For more information.
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State Veterinarian Offers Tips to Keep Pets Safe
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Protect pets from extreme summer heat.
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With heat indexes hitting triple digits this month, MDA State Veterinarian Dr. Guy Hohenhaus reminds pet owners to protect their four-legged friends from potentially deadly heat. Even the youngest and healthiest cats and dogs can become dangerously overheated very quickly. If you feel uncomfortable outside, your pet is likely even more uncomfortable. For more tips and information.
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2012 Farmers’ Market Directory Now Available.
The 2012 Maryland Farmers’ Market Directory listing locations and hours of each of the state’s markets is now available through the MDA website. This year, some 138 markets will be open with at least one in every county and Baltimore City. Many of the farmers’ markets in the state are already open and offering produce and plants such as salad greens, spinach, asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, and bedding plants. Farmers’ market locations, hours, and producer/vendor and product listings are also available on the Maryland’s Best website. |
Harford Teens Take Top Honors at Maryland Envirothon
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Harford County team wins state Envirothon, will represent Maryland in national Envirotho.
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A five-member team of high school students from Harford County is the winner of the 22nd annual Maryland Envirothon, an outdoor natural resources competition that challenges students to identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys and solve other complex natural resource issues. A team from Montgomery County took second place, while students from St. Mary’s County took third. More than 100 challengers from 18 counties across Maryland took part in this year’s competition. The event was held in Washington County. For more information.
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Team Award Winners: (L-R): Wendy Lloyd, Jason Keppler, Mary Darling, MDA Sec.Buddy Hance, Rama Dilip
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Inside MDA: Employee of the Quarter Awards
MDA recently announced the Employee of the Quarter Awards for October through December 2011.
The Team Award was presented to the MDA Family Support Committee, which was nominated by Momoh Contee. The committee was recognized for volunteering their time to reach to families within the area, sponsoring events and activities which help all employees reflect upon how important it is to be able to give to families in need. The committee members include: Mary Darling, Rama Dilip, Jason Keppler, Anna Goins, and Wendy Lloyd.
The Innovation Award was presented to Mary Jo Klovensky, Agricultural Inspector, who was nominated by Gaye Williams. Mary Jo was recognized for her demonstrated ingenuity, and determination in maintaining and increasing inspection of biocontrol colonies for MDA weed control efforts.
David A Schofield, Assistant Chief, Mosquito Control, was honored with the Leadership Award, nominated by Jeani Kerley and Kyle Brinson. Dave shows exemplary leadership as the supervisor for seven full time employees, guides and mentors two full time county employees and oversees approximately twenty two contractual employees and provides support to seven other sections as the need arises.
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Maryland Food Bank Starts Farm-to-Food Bank Program 
USDA recently recognized the Maryland Food Bank and its Farm to Food Bank program, for its “innovative strategies and critical partnerships”. The Maryland Food Bank‘s Farm-to-Food Bank Program throughout the state. The program includes a network of farms and cooperatives that have pledged to donate fresh fruits and vegetables to the food bank on a regular basis. Farmers can participate by donating excess crops, allowing minimum-custody offenders to conduct final sweeps of fields in cooperation with the Maryland State Department of Corrections, or contracting to grow most-needed fruits and vegetables on a portion of land set aside specifically for the food bank. Last year, when the program was just getting started, 23 Eastern Shore farmers donated more than 423,000 pounds of produce that provided 325,385 meals — or 81,346 meals for a family of four. For more information.
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USDA Awards Energy Grants for Maryland Projects
USDA announced funding for five Maryland projects that are focused on helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.
REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.
Congratulations to our Maryland grant recipients: Oakcrest Farm ($20,000 for Solar Array), Ridgely Hummingbird Farms, Inc. ($6,063 for Energy Efficiency Improvements), GRH Partners/Green Point Farms ($19,998 for Grain Dryer), Euphoria Farms/George Morris ($73,450 for Solar Array), Trippe Callahan ($15,000 for Solar Array), and Creek Bound Farms, LLC ($11,939 for Grain Dryer).
For a complete listing of Rural Energy for America Program grant recipients, click here.
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Recipe of the Month:
Cabbage Stir-Fry with Caraway Seeds Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, peeled and minced
1 small green cabbage, cored & thinly sliced
1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon caraway seed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Melt the butter over low heat in a skillet. Add the onion and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the cabbage and saute for 5 minutes longer, then add the stock and turn the heat up to medium-high. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the stock is absorbed. Add the caraway seeds, salt, and pepper, and toss well. Remove the cabbage from the heat and serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Dishing Up Maryland, by Lucie L. Snodgrass
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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 mda.news@maryland.gov or call 410-841-5881.
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Maryland’s Best Highlights Dairy Products
Support Maryland Producers, 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 about 500 dairy farms across the state. Be sure to enjoy Maryland dairy goodness this month and every month. Visit Maryland’s Best to find dairy products near you.
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