Maryland Agricultural Highlights – December 2012

SSCC Meeting Set For December 20
The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 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.

Maryland Turfgrass Council Offers Fertilizer Training for Lawn Care Pros
The Maryland Turfgrass Council (MTC) will devote the first day of its two-day Turfgrass 2013 Conference and Trade Show slated for January 7 and 8, 2013 to helping lawn care professionals prepare to meet the new requirements of the Fertilizer Use Act of 2011. During the morning session on January 7, University of Maryland Extension experts will provide an overview of the new law and its implications for lawn care professionals. In the afternoon, experts will prepare lawn care professionals to take the newly required fertilizer applicator certification exam. As of October 1, 2013, all lawn care professionals will need to be certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture in order to apply fertilizer in Maryland. The second day of the conference will be devoted to pesticide recertification for professional applicators. MTC’s Turfgrass 2013 Conference and Trade Show will be held at the University of Maryland’s Stamp Student Union in College Park. Conference registration is open to both members and non-members. For more information, contact the Maryland Turfgrass Council at (410) 836-2876 or visit www.mdturfcouncil.org to download a registration form.

Continuing Education Webinars for Nutrient Management Consultants Offered
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer a series of online webinars this winter for certified nutrient management consultants seeking continuing education credits. The webinars will focus on nitrogen fixation, cover crops, non-nutritive aspects of manure utilization, the new phosphorus management tool and nitrogen management for small grains. The sessions will be held using Adobe Connect. Participants will need access to a computer with speakers and a high-speed internet connection to participate. Two continuing education credits will be awarded for each webinar. To register, call 410-841-5959 or visit www.mda.state.md.us. Scroll down the Quick Links to Nutrient Management and click on Nutrient Management Training Classes for a registration form.

Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Directory Available
The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages citizens to buy fresh cut, locally grown Christmas trees, rather than artificial trees or those grown out of state. Visit www.marylandsbest.net for a Choose and Cut Farm Directory along with information on tree varieties and tree care.

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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.