AGRICULTURAL MEDIA ADVISORY – DECEMBER 2009

A Monthly Update on Agricultural Issues and Events Taking Place Throughout Maryland

Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Directory Available
The Maryland Christmas Tree Association has published a directory of Choose & Cut Farms listing dozens of locations across Maryland where families can harvest their own Christmas trees.  View the directory by visiting www.marylandchristmastrees.org or MDA’s web site.

Delmarva Hay and Pasture Conference Set for January 18 and 19, 2010
The University of Delaware will sponsor the Delmarva Hay and Pasture Conference on January 18 and 19, 2010, at the ACE Building located on the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. Rotational grazing, hay selection for horses and forage plant and weed identification are among the topics that will be covered this year.  The featured speaker is Dr. Jim Green, a retired forage crops Extension specialist from North Carolina State University.  Participants attending the program receive up to four hours of Maryland Nutrient Management Program continuing education credits.  For more information, contact Emmalea Ernest at [email protected] or call 302-856-7303.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing and Certification Workshops for Farmers Scheduled
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Maryland Extension will offer two workshops this winter for farmers who want to become certified to write nutrient management plans for their own operations.  Each program consists of about 11 hours of classroom lecture and practice in writing plans.  Using the NuMan Pro software program farmers develop their own plans with guidance from the University of Maryland and MDA staff.  Farmers who pass a short exam and receive a favorable review of their plan by MDA are certified.  Seating is limited, so interested farmers should enroll right away.  Additional sessions may be scheduled if interest is high.  To begin the process, click here.  Contact MDA at 410-841-5959 or [email protected] to register. Farmers may also register by contacting their local Extension office or visitinghttp://anmp.umd.edu/FTC/FTC.html.

January 19 (training) and February 1 (exam) 2010
Crop operations that use poultry litter and commercial fertilizer
Location: University of Maryland Extension—Wicomico County Office

February 8 (training) and February 22 (exam) 2010
Crop operations that use manure and commercial fertilizer
Location: Charlotte Hall Library, St. Mary’s County

Nutrient Management Voucher Training and Renewal Courses
University of Maryland Extension will offer free voucher training and renewal courses to farm operators who apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of cropland. The two-hour nutrient applicator training course is required once every three years for these operators. Operators in other counties who need to obtain a voucher or renew their voucher should contact their local Extension office for training schedules and locations.

• Anne Arundel County—February 10, 2010; March 22, 2010; or April 9, 2010.  Call 410-222-6757
• Caroline County—January 21, 2010. Call 410-479-4030.
• Carroll County—January 21, 2010 or March 4, 2010.  Call 410-386-2760.
• Dorchester County—February 11, 2010. Call 410-228-8800.
• Queen Anne’s County—March 5, 2010. Call 410-758-0166.
• Washington County—December 17, 2009 or March 25, 2010. Call 301-791-1304.