Agricultural Highlights – June 2013

State Soil Conservation Meeting Set For July 17

The State Soil Conservation Committee will meet Wednesday, July 17, at the Holiday Inn in Solomons. The meeting is open to the public and will focus on soil conservation and water quality program implementation and policy development. It is being held in conjunction with the summer meeting of the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts. 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.

Cover Crop Info in the Mail

Farmers who want to plant cover crops on their fields this fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries should check their mailboxes for important information regarding sign-up for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2013-2014 Cover Crop Program. Approximately $20 million in conservation grants is available to help farmers offset the cost of planting cover crops on their fields this fall. Traditional cover crops qualify for up to $100/acre with add-on incentive payments for using highly valued planting practices. Harvested cover crops qualify for $25 to $35/acre. There are no enrollment caps and certain restrictions apply. Sign-up for Cover Crop Program runs June 24 through July 15 at local soil conservation districts. For more information, contact MDA at 410-841-5864 or www.mda.maryland.gov.

MDA Reminds Homeowners to Fertilize Lawns Responsibly

With the hot, dry summer months approaching, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds homeowners that fertilizer should only be applied to lawns when the grass is actively growing. To prevent runoff, homeowners should fertilize warm season grasses (Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass) in late spring or early summer and cool season grasses (fescues, bluegrass) in the fall, based on soil test results. Keep in mind that some grass species have natural dormancy periods and will turn brown during the hot, dry summer months. Applying fertilizer to force a lawn to turn green during its dormancy period can damage the grass and result in unused fertilizer washing off lawns and into the streams and rivers that feed the Chesapeake Bay. For more tips of fertilizing responsibly and Maryland’s new Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

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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.