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MDA News Digest June 2013
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| A Message from Secretary Buddy Hance |
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| Secretary Hance |
Greetings,
Welcome to summer! The Ice Cream Trail is open. Farmers Markets are open. The opportunities to buy local products and support local farms are plentiful. If you are looking for markets and products near you, be sure to check out the Maryland’s Best database to find what you’re looking for.
I encourage all of you to take the Buy Local Challenge on July 20-28 and incorporate at least one locally produced or locally raised product in your family meals every day for a week. Buying local supports farmers, helps protect open space and, because food spends less time in transit, it is fresher, tastier and more nutritious. You can begin practicing now by buying local. Later in July, Governor O’Malley will host the 6th Annual Buy Local Cookout in which local chefs will prepare dishes they’ve made with local products. We will be publishing our sixth Buy Local Cookbook later in July. Check our website periodically for updates and photos. |
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| Headlines from MDA |
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Below are some of the news releases MDA recently distributed.
National Dairy Month celebrates the value of milk and dairy products as part of a well-balanced diet for every American, as well as the importance of milk production to the agricultural industry. There are 496 dairy farms in Maryland that accounted for nearly $188 million in sales in 2012. Read more.
Other News:
- MDA Cover Crop Program Sign-Up Runs June 24 to July 15: (May 30) – Open enrollment for the 2013-2014 Cover Crop Program will run June 24 through July 15 at soil conservation district offices statewide. This year, Governor Martin O’Malley has allocated approximately $20 million for the popular conservation program which provides grants to farmers who agree to plant cover crops on their fields in the fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion, and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Read more.
- State Agriculture Department Releases Pesticide Use Survey: (May 28) – MDA, which is responsible for enforcing the Maryland Pesticide Applicator’s Law, has released the results of a statewide pesticide use survey – the first such report since 2004. The report covers usage in 2011 but was conducted in 2012 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Read more.
| Harford Christian School Envirothon Team: (From Left) Danielle Fiedler, Maddie Feustel, Hunter Howell, Gracie Shannahan, advisor, Ada Stambaugh and Danielle Reifer |
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| Facebook: What are we Talking About? |
We update our Facebook page several times a week. Some recent posts are shown below.
- Know what Giant Hogweed looks like.
- State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus & Assistant State Vet Michael Radebaugh participated in a Dairy Industry Food Safety Crisis Drill
- What is Maryland’s official state beverage?
- What is the most popular dairy breed in Maryland?
- How many cheese producers are there in Maryland?
- USDA & EPA launches the U.S. Food Waste Challenge
Like us on Facebook! (Follow us on Twitter @MdAgDept)
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| Follow Us on Social Media |
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On Twitter: MDA has several twitter feeds you can follow for quick updates. Follow us at:
- @MdAgDept – the official twitter account of the Maryland Department of Agriculture
- @MdsBest – the twitter feed for MDA’s Marketing Office and the Maryland’s Best Program
- @MdEquines – the twitter feed for MDA’s Maryland Horse Industry Board
On Facebook: MDA has several Facebook pages we invite you to “like.”
See our Flickr album: MDA uploads photos we take at various agricultural events for your viewing pleasure. We are open 24/7 at:
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We invite your feedback
Thank you for reading our newsletter. We are always looking for ways to improve how we serve our constituents. Please send your comments, suggestions and ideas to [email protected] or call 410-841-5881. Or contact: |
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1-888-373-7888
233733