Monthly Agricultural Update on Issues and Events in Maryland

DECEMBER 2010

SSCC Meeting Set For January 20, 2011

The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, January 20, 2011 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.

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 at www.mda.state.md.us  Click on Marketing Services and scroll down the list to Christmas trees.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing and Certification Workshops for Farmers Scheduled

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Maryland Extension (UME) will offer three 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 MDA and UME 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.  To begin the process, visit www.mda.state.md.us and follow the Nutrient Management links to the training classes.  Contact MDA at 410-841-5959 or [email protected] to register. Farmers may also register by contacting their local Extension office or visiting http://anmp.umd.edu/FTC/FTC.html.

Operation Type:  Crop Operations That Use Manure and Fertilizer

Day Classes:  January 25, February 7 and February 10, 2011   Location:  University of Maryland Extension—Washington County Office

Operation Type:  Crop Operations That Use Manure and Fertilizer

Evening Classes:  February 1, February 3, February 8 and February 17, 2011 Location:  University of Maryland Extension—Montgomery County Office

Operation Type:  Equine and Other Pasture-Based Operations

Day Classes:  February 22, March 7 and March 9, 2011    Location:  University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center, Queenstown

Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Course Set for February 15, 2011 A one-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification training course will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lower level conference rooms at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.  The course provides participants with an overview of areas covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam scheduled for March 15, 2011.   Topics include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations.  Seating is limited.  Register by February 4, 2011 by calling 410-841-5959 or visiting www.mda.state.md.us.  Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

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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.