Agricultural Highlights

SSCC Meeting Set For August 16
The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 16, 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 program implementation and policy development. 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.

Horse Pasture Management Seminar Set for September 8
University of Maryland Extension will host a Horse Pasture Management Seminar on Saturday, September 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road in Ellicott City. Topics covered will include basic soil fertility for horse pastures, forage species selection, weed control methods, manure management, mud and erosion control, pasture renovation and rotational grazing among others. Participants receive six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement.  The registration fee is $30 and includes materials and lunch.  Licensed boarding stable operators receive a discounted rate of $20 per person.  Register by August 31, by visiting www.ansc.umd.edu/ERG.  For more information, contact Jennifer Reynolds at [email protected] or 301.405.1547.

Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management Workshop Set for September 13
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer a one day course titled Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management on Thursday, September 13, at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville.  Topics covered include corn silage yield checks, soil nitrate testing, nutrient planning for perennial fruit, manure application equipment calibration, regulatory changes and common errors made in nutrient management plans.  The fee is $20 per person and covers learning materials and lunch.  Register by September 6 by calling 410.841.5959 or visiting www.mda.maryland.gov.  Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops Offered
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan on Friday, September 21, at the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Office in Derwood and Tuesday, September 25, at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown.  The course is designed for people who are new to the nutrient management plan-writing process. It will teach participants how to write a nutrient management plan using NuMan Pro, the nutrient management planning software program. Participants receive six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement. To register, call 410.841.5959 or visit www.mda.maryland.gov. Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.