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 Maryland Department of Agriculture News
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Secretary’s
Corner 
Ice Cream Trail
I had fun this summer trailblazing the state to visit all seven farm-based creameries on the new Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail. Many of you are ice cream lovers as well! We had more than 170 completed passports returned to MDA, which were entered into a drawing to win free ice cream and other prizes.
Congratulations to Dawn Farris of Elkton and Laurie Shilts of Westminster (Carroll County) and our four additional prize winners!
We hope those who participated in the ice cream trail had fun and developed a better appreciation for and understanding of our dairy farmers and their operations.
First Maryland Sheep Dairy
In other dairy news, our farmers continue to show their strong entrepreneurial spirit as they diversify their operations. Congratulations to Colleen and Michael Histon, owners of Shepherds Manor Farm, Maryland’s first sheep-milking dairy farm. The New Windsor (Carroll County) farm produces artisan sheep cheese, yogurt, soap and other products. Did you know that dairy sheep produce 3 to 4 pounds of milk per day, equal to ½ gallon?
Farm to School
I enjoyed visiting with students and faculty from North Dorchester High School in Dorchester County to celebrate Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week this month. There, we enjoyed local bison burgers – the first to be served to students on the East Coast as part of a school lunch – and delicious local sweet potatoes. Students talked with farmers who had displays and offered local food samples. Following the lunch, we toured SB Farms, a bison operation in Hurlock with owner Bill Edwards. The ranch uses rotational grazing and has established pastures which include native warm-season grasses. The bison are raised without antibiotics, growth stimulants or hormones.
Farm Bill
Last Friday, the U.S. Congress adjourned without completing its work on the 2012 Farm Bill. The legislation had passed the Senate in June and passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in July. Farm groups anticipate that Congress will return after the November elections and either vote to do a short-term extension on Farm Bill programs or complete action on the 2012 Farm Bill.
We have discussed the impact that this lack of action on the Farm Bill will have with the Maryland Congressional Delegation. Programs such as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, Specialty Crop Block Grant, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Market Access Program will all expire at the end of September. Commodity programs, especially dairy programs, will expire at the end of the year if nothing is done. We will continue to keep in touch with the Delegation on these issues in the coming weeks.
Legislative Ag Tour
Thanks to all of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee members who participated in our agricultural tour of Frederick County last week. We hope they found it to be educational and informative to see first-hand and speak directly with a variety of farmers about their operations. We also thank the Maryland Farm Bureau and our Frederick County Extension Agents for their support and assistance.
Crop Insurance
Crop insurance is a good farm risk management tool. For those who choose to participate, September 30 is the deadline for signing up for (or make any changes to) crop insurance coverage for winter wheat, barley and alfalfa-based forage production. November 15 is the new deadline for signing up for (or making changes to) pasture and forage insurance.
This year’s drought has emphasized the importance of pasture and forage insurance for all Maryland producers who depend on rainfall to keep the grass and forage growing. For more information on crop Insurance, contact your local crop insurance agent, or click here.
100th Seed Law Anniversary
Seed is the single most important input to any agricultural system. For much of its seed needs, Maryland relies on other areas of the country and the world where climates are more suited to seed production. So it is important that Maryland maintain a strong and effective regulatory program in order to prevent low quality seed from entering the state. October 1st marks the 100th anniversary of Maryland’s first seed law. We commend our Turf and Seed section – the unit that ensures farmers and homeowners with a garden begin with high quality seed – for providing 100 years of quality service to Maryland agriculture.
Fall Harvest
With fall comes the harvest of our summer field crops, the transition from summer to winter vegetables, planning for winter cover crops, and the start of next year’s plans. Our farmers continue to show that agriculture is not just an industry, but a way of life – one in which there is a strong concern for their neighbors, their land and the future of our state and its citizens.
Fall also brings fresh, juicy apples, pumpkins, colorful mums and plenty of opportunities for family fun on a growing number of agri-tourism farms. Enjoy the beautiful weather and thank you for your support of Maryland farmers.
Sincerely,
Buddy Hance
Secretary
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Governor O’Malley Officially Designated Sept. 17-21
Home Grown School Lunch Week
Event promotes Farm-to-School meals
Educators, farmers, and state and local officials gathered with North Dorchester High School students in Dorchester County to kick off the 5th annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week by eating healthy lunches, full of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and bison. Students (and officials) also enjoyed special displays and interaction with local farmers whose products were featured during lunch throughout the day. To draw attention to the connection between healthy food and the local farms that grow it, Governor Martin O’Malley officially designated September 17-21, 2012, as Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. For more information.
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Cecil County Resident Named 2012 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail Blazer
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| Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting and Secretary Buddy Hance select the winning Trailblazer Passport. |
Dawn Farris of Elkton – who was among the more than 170 ice cream lovers who visited all seven dairy farms on
– has been named the 2012 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trailblazer. The second place Trailblazer was Alex Crowl, also of Elkton, while third place went to Spencer Layton of Alexandria, Virginia. The 2012 Maryland Geocache Ice Cream Trailblazer is Laurie Shilts of Westminster (Carroll County). Second place is David Rader of North East (Cecil County) and third place is Diane Sporer of Hampstead (Carroll County.)
Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail, minted earlier this year, is a network of seven dairy farms in the state that make ice cream on the farm and sell directly to consumers. MDA encouraged Marylanders to pick up an official “Ice Cream Trailblazer Passport” in June and have it stamped while visiting all seven creameries during the summer. Completed passports were sent to MDA this month for a chance to win prizes. For more information
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MDA Hosts Farm Tour for Elected Leaders
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Bobby Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchards explains how his operation works to state leaders.
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MDA hosted a tour of local farms for members of the Maryland Senate’s Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which reviews most of the proposed legislation that affects agriculture. The tour was designed to provide leaders with a realistic view of what farming is all about as well as a chance to discuss the issues directly with farmers. The group toured three dairy farms and an orchard in Frederick County. The Maryland Farm Bureau provided lunch at Rocky Point Creamery, an on-farm creamery. Participants included Committee Chair Senator Joan Carter Conway and members Senator Joanne Benson, Senator Karen Montgomery, Senator Paul Pinsky, Senator Ed Reilly, Senator Bryan Simonaire, and Senator Ron Young. Four committee staff people also attended. Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting accompanied the senators on the tour.
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| Six Maryland Markets Place in Top 15 in National Favorite Farmers Market Contest
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Ag Secretary Presented Buy Local Challenge Award
Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Christine Bergmark, Ph.D., executive director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission recognized the “Sassy Seniors” of North Beach with a “Take the Buy Local Challenge with Friends” contest awards. The Seniors received a prize basket valued at $200. In addition, a donation of fresh, local farm food, valued at $200 will be made to local families in need via the Maryland Food Bank and partners statewide. The Buy Local Challenge encourages individuals and groups to eat local produce at least once a day during one week in July, in hope that residents will continue to buy local. The Sassy Seniors were among those who took up the challenge and selected as the winner. More details about the challenge are available online.
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Secretary Hance & MDA Delegation Travel to China to Explore Partnerships
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From left: Ross Pedicord, Theresa Brophy, & Secretary Buddy Hance, in China.
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Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance traveled to Inner Mongolia, China in late August to promote the export of Maryland horses. Maryland Horse Industry Board Executive Director Ross Peddicord and International Marketing Director Theresa Brophy accompanied him. BrotherFortune, a Chinese company, has already purchased 70 quarter horses from the United States, including Maryland, and is interested in developing a long-term partnership with the state as it expands a large recreational horse park. Peddicord visited the BrotherFortune Ranch in December 2011 and has been helping the group with plans for its horse park. Sec. Hance led a parade kicking off an International Horse Festival in Inner Mongolia and offered welcoming remarks to more than 5,000 people. The mission was underwritten by a grant from United States Livestock Genetic, Inc. The owner of the BrotherFortune Ranch plans to visit Maryland within the next few months to explore other areas of potential collaboration.
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President Obama Officially Designates Sept. 16-22
National Farm Safety & Health Week
Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most dangerous occupations in North America. According to the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), there were 596 deaths and 70,000 disabling injuries attributed to agriculture in 2010. Each year, since 1944, the third week in September has been recognized as National Farm Safety & Health Week. On. Sept. 14, President Obama signed the proclamation, recognizing the week, just as each sitting U.S. President has done since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Equipment with moving parts, unpredictable livestock and large machinery with limited visibility pose just some farm dangers. The NECAS urges farm families to review farm safety checklists to ensure their practices are up to date. For more information. |
MD Ag Commission to Host Public Meeting Oct. 10
The Maryland Agricultural Commission will hold a public meeting on Oct. 10 after touring Anne Arundel and Baltimore City agricultural operations. The public meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway in Annapolis.
Anyone interested in farming and rural topics is encouraged to attend the meeting and take an opportunity to share their opinion and discuss issues and policies affecting agriculture and rural communities, exchange ideas, get better acquainted with the role of the Maryland Agricultural Commission, and meet the Commission members.
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Inside MDA:
Team of the Quarter — George Williams and Willie Taylor
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Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting presents Team of the Quarter Certificates to
George Williams (left) and Willie Taylor. |
George Williams and Willie Taylor in the Motor Pool were named MDA’s Team of the Quarter for the second quarter of the calendar year. George and Willie are exemplary employees who consistently provide excellent customer service. They always go above and beyond to assist MDA employees. Additionally, they to doing an outstanding job repairing the cars and managing the motor pool. Recently, they helped remove a fallen tree which blocked the employee’s parking lot entrance. They are always inquiring about how they can be of help to other employees and customers. During the Christmas Holiday season, they picked up an enormous donated Christmas tree, erected it in front of the MDA main building, and participated in trimming the tree. Congratulations to George and Willie for a job always well done.
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Inside MDA:
Summer Job Turns into 43 Year Gig for Bill Voigt
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Bill Voigt
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Bill Voigt joined MDA in 1969 as a seasonal employee for Mosquito Control. Little did he know this summer job with the Maryland Department of Agriculture would be one that he would keep for nearly 43 years. Bill was teaching Art at Elkton High School when a fellow teacher approached him, looking for someone to help with a summer job. He has been a seasonal employee with MDA ever since. Bill, who retired from teaching in 2009, continues to work with MDA each season. He enjoys the flexibility to work early in the morning and then spend the rest of his day pursuing his other passions in life. He is an avid photographer, mostly working with 35mm film and black and white composition. Bill also participates in revolutionary war reenactments. He is an accomplished painter who prefers watercolors and other mixed media. Bill said the best part about working for MDA is the people that he gets to meet, the family atmosphere, and his coworkers. Congratulations Bill on 43 years of service! |
| Recipe of the Month: Apple Bread
Quick and delightful, this homey cake tastes even better with a little apple butter on it. Use tart, not sweet, apples for the best results.
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick), butter
1 cup, sugar
1 egg
2 cups, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon, baking powder
1 teaspoon, cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon, ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon, salt
2 cups, chopped apples
2/3 cup, chopped pecans
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Cream together the butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Add the egg and beat well.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt, and then add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir in the apples and pecans. The batter will be extremely thick. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, until a knife blade inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove the cake from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
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 Promotes Maryland Apples
Support Maryland Producers, Buy Local
Maryland’s Best encourages consumers to support family farmers by choosing Maryland grown apples this season. To find local apples, ask your grocery retailer or visit www.marylandsbest.net. September is also Maryland Farm to School month, which brings Maryland-grown farm products to school lunches and educates students about where their food comes from and a healthy diet.Click here to find Maryland’s Best fresh produce near you.
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