AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2010

SSCC Meeting Set For October 21

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, October 21, 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.

Phosphorus Site Index Training Scheduled for October 1

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Management Program and the University of Maryland Extension will offer a continuing education workshop on the Phosphorus Site Index (PSI) Thursday, October 21, from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Maryland 4-H Center in College Park.  Designed for farmers who are certified to prepare their own nutrient management plans and consultants who write plans for others, the course will explain how to use the PSI to evaluate factors that could contribute to phosphorus loss from agricultural land.  Participants will learn how to calculate the PSI parameters, practice sample scenarios and discuss ways to automate the PSI process.  In addition to the classroom session, an optional field session will be scheduled later in the fall.  Participants receive six credit hours toward the Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement for the classroom session and an additional three credit hours for the field training session. The cost is $25 per person.  To register, call the Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959 or click here.

MAEF Banquet and Auction Set for November 4

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) will host its 22nd annual banquet and auction Thursday, November 4, at Michael’s 8th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive in Glen Burnie. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased by calling 410-939-9030.  Proceeds benefit MAEF’s agricultural educational outreach programs.

Nutrient Management Voucher Training and Renewal Courses

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland Department of Agriculture 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—December 13, 2010 and March 21, 2011.  Call 410-222-6757

Caroline County—February 16, 2011.  Call 410-479-4030.

Carroll County—November 3, 2010, December 14, 2010, February 9, 2011 and February 22, 2011.  Call 410-386-2760.

Cecil County—March 1, 2011.  Call 410-996-5280.

Dorchester County—January 18, 2011.  Call 410-228-8800.

Frederick County—November 17, 2010.  Call 301-600-1594

Queen Anne’s County—March 4, 2011. Call 410-758-0166.

Somerset County—October 25, 2010 and January 25, 2011.  Call 410-651-1351.

Talbot County—March 10, 2011.  Call 410-822-1244.

Wicomico County—December 13, 2010.  Call 410-749-6141.

Worcester County—November 29, 2010.  Call 410-632-1972.

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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.