October Vol 1 2013

October 1, 2013

MDA News Digest Oct. 2013

Masthead with various agriculture photos

In This Issue, October 2013

MDA in Pictures & Video

MDA on Social Media

Upcoming Events

A Message from Secretary Buddy Hance

Secretary Hance

Greetings,

MDA has been serving the agriculture community and the people of Maryland since 1973, and the agency marked the milestone with a reception at the agency’s headquarters in Annapolis. The event drew about 150 people from all segments of the agricultural community. In addition, Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed Sept. 30 “MDA 40th Anniversary Celebration Day in Maryland.” During the reception, we premiered a 12-minute soundbook by award-winning photographer Edwin Remsberg, which summarizes the history of the agency. The soundbook includes brief interviews with all past living Agriculture Secretaries and is narrated by me. We hope you will take a few moments andview the soundbook online.

I also want to remind everyone that we have two more public briefings scheduled to discuss the Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) revised regulations. If you haven’t read our newAgBrief on the PMT, please read it. The next briefings are:

Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Flanders Meeting Rooms, 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804
Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway. Easton, MD 21601

If you haven’t read my latest column in Lancaster Farming, I invite you to read it on the MDA Blog. It discusses more about the PMT, agritourism and our Farm to School project. Thanks!

Headlines from MDA

Below are some of the news release MDA recently distributed.

MDA Headquarters Building when it was under construction in the early 1980s

MDA turns 40 this year. This is our building when it was under construction in the early 1980s. Watch this 12-minute Soundbook on YouTube that highlights our history & accomplishments.

MDA Honors Employees with Long Service Awards; MDA Employees of the Year also Recognized – MDA honored 51 employees for their years of dedicated service to the department.

Employees of the Year with Supervisors: Assistant Secretary Pat McMillan, Assistant State Veterinarian Thomas Jacobs, Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, Salisbury Animal Health Lab Director Claudia Osorio representing Team of the Year, Employee of the Year Dr. Allen Ingling of the Frederick Animal Health Lab, Employee of the Quarter Rona Flagle of Resource Conservation, and Secretary Buddy Hance

Officials Kick-off Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week in Washington Co.; Governor O’Malley Declares Sept. 23-27 as Homegrown School Lunch Week – Educators, farmers, and federal, state and local officials gathered with Pangborn Elementary School students in Washington County to kick off the 6th annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week by eating healthy lunches, full of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and beef.

State Veterinarian Advises Backyard Flock Owners Attending Poultry Events to Protect their Flocks; Offers tips to reduce the risk of exposure to disease – Backyard flock owners who participate in poultry events should take precautions to protect their flocks and reduce the risk of exposure to disease.

Autumn is in the Air: Now is a Great Time to Enjoy Maryland Apples – Now is the perfect time of year to visit an orchard to try all of the delicious apple varieties our state has to offer, or to visit a local farm market and savor fresh cider, pies, and other treats.

Maryland’s New Lawn Fertilizer Law Took Effect October 1 – Maryland’s new lawn fertilizer law, which took effect Oct. 1, includes new requirements for fertilizer manufacturers and homeowners. In addition, lawn care professionals must now be licensed and certified to apply fertilizers to properties that they manage.

MDA Issues Request for Information Regarding Manure Management Technologies – MDA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input from vendors, businesses, and individuals offering technologies, equipment, infrastructure, or services that can improve the management and utilization of manure and other agricultural waste resources. Deadline is Oct. 16.

MDA Revitalizes Manure Matching Service; Program Seen as Essential in Helping Farmers Comply with New Phosphorus Management Tool – MDA this month revitalized its Manure Matching Service, a mutually beneficial program that connects livestock producers who have excess animal manure with other farmers or alternative use projects that can use the product as a valuable resource.

Champion Equines from Montgomery County Accept Touch of Class Awards From Lt. Governor Brown – Lt. Governor Anthony Brown presented the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s Touch of Class Award and a Secretary’s Citation at the Maryland Horse Council’s annual meeting.

Kathy Howe of Days End Horse Rescue Accepts Secretary’s Citation from MHIB Chair Jim Steele, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting.

MDA Hosted Food Importers and Distributors from China and Korea – MDA and the Southern United States Trade Association provided food product suppliers from the southern United States with an opportunity to meet one-on-one with food importers and distributors from China and Korea.

State Ag Department Hosts Canadian Plant Buyers; Project aims to develop export market –

MDA recently introduced buyers from four Canadian companies to nurseries in Frederick, Baltimore and Harford counties.

Read all press releases

On the MDA Blog

The MDA Blog highlights some of the more informal news in and around MDA and Maryland ag.

The Secretary’s September blog post discussed the Farm to School program, agritourism, and the Phosphorous Management Tool. Read it here.

Read all Blog posts.

New AgBriefs Released

AgBriefs are short descriptions of MDA programs and initiatives.

AgBrief – The Phosphorous Management Tool: An Overview of the Proposed Regulations was created to help farmers and citizens understand the new tool and how it will be implemented.

See all AgBriefs

Facebook: What are we talking about?

We update our Facebook page several times a week. Some recent posts are shown below.

Our most popular Facebook posts with an organic (i.e., non-paid) reach were:

This month, the Communications Office “boosted” a Facebook post to help ensure residents were aware of the New Lawn Fertilizer that became effective Oct. 1. The “Be Wise, Don’t Over Fertilize” ad reached nearly 20,500 people and helped increase MDA’s Facebook followers by more than 75 in less than a week.

Follow and Like us on Facebook!

MDA on the Web

The MDA website is your go-to place for the latest information about MDA. We are adding new information every week.

New photos have been added to our home page, showing some historical photos of our agency that is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month.
A new page called, Innovative Technologies for Managing Animal Manure, has been added to our website to solicit input from citizens about new technologies.

Visit us anytime at: www.mda.maryland.gov

MDA In Pictures

MDA’s Flickr account has photos of MDA events while our YouTube playlists have videos about various agricultural topics.

Photos of MDA’s Long Service Award recipients are posted here.

View MDA Flickr:

Follow Us on Social Media

On Twitter: MDA has several twitter feeds you can follow for quick updates. We hope you’ll follow us.

@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

@MdFarm2School – the twitter for MDA’s Farm to School Program

On Facebook: MDA has several Facebook pages we invite you to “like.”

MDA’s Official Facebook page

Maryland’s Best Facebook page

Maryland Horse Industry Board Facebook Page

Maryland Farm to School Facebook page

Upcoming Events & Deadlines:

Maryland Farm & Harvest Logo

Maryland Public Television will air a new 13-part series on Maryland agriculture, called Maryland Farm and Harvest, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7:00 p.m. Episodes will repeat Thursdays at 11:30 p.m, Sundays at 6:00 a.m., and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. on MPT2. The program will run for 13 weeks, rest for 13 weeks, repeat for 13 weeks. We hope to premiere the second season in November 2014. Watch a clip here.

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:

Julie Oberg, Communications Director, 410-841-5888, [email protected]
Vanessa Orlando, Public Information Officer, 410-841-5889, [email protected]

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Maryland Department of Agriculture | 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway | Annapolis | MD | 21401

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