AGRICULTURAL MEDIA ADVISORY – FEBRUARY 2010

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

SSCC Meeting Set For February 18

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, February 18, at 9:30 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  The meeting is open to the public and will focus on soil conservation and water quality programs. Established in 1938, the State Soil Conservation Committee coordinates the activities of Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts, while advising the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to soil and water conservation.  For more information, contact Louise Lawrence, executive secretary, 410-841-5863.
Agricultural Annual Reports Available

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has published its 2009 annual reports for the Maryland Nutrient Management Program and the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program.  The reports highlight agriculture’s activities and accomplishments in protecting water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  They are available on line at www.mda.state.md.us or by calling 410-841-5863.  In addition, the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts has released its 2009 annual report titled, In it for the Long Haul.  The report highlights the ways Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts work to protect natural resources.  For a copy of this report, contact Lynne Hoot at 410-956-5771 or visit www.mascd.net.

Howard Ag Agencies to Hold Mid-Winter Meeting March 2

Howard County agricultural agencies will sponsor a mid-winter meeting Tuesday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Glenwood Community Center. Topics discussed will include variable rate nitrogen application, nutrient transport and the latest updates from the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Nutrient Management Program.  Individuals who attend the meeting earn two MDA Nutrient Management Program continuing education credits.  The meeting also fulfills MDA’s Nutrient Applicator Voucher requirements for persons who apply nutrients to ten or more acres of agricultural land.  Admission is free and a light meal will be served prior to the meeting.  To register, call the Howard Soil Conservation District at 410-489-7987.  The event is sponsored by the Howard Soil Conservation District, MDA, University of Maryland Extension and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Greenhouse Growers Seminar Set for March 4 at Chesapeake Community College

A greenhouse grower’s seminar will be held Thursday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chesapeake Community College in Wye Mills.  The event is open to novices as well as experienced greenhouse operators.  Topics covered will include bedding plant nutrition, business management, water quality, and pest management.  Maryland pesticide re-certification credits and Maryland Department of Agriculture Nutrient Management Program continuing education credits are available for attending this conference.  Registration is $40 and includes conference materials, continental breakfast and lunch.  To register, contact the Talbot County Extension office by March 1 at 410-822-1244.  The event is sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland Greenhouse Growers Association.
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The Maryland Agricultural Awareness Alliance, a coalition of federal, state and local agricultural agencies and commodity groups dedicated to educating Marylanders on agricultural issues.