Maryland Agricultural Highlights – October 2013

MDA Offers Lawn Fertilizer Certification Exams in Salisbury and Westminster

The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer certification exams for lawn care professionals who want to become certified to apply fertilizer to turf on October 23, 2013 at the Wicomico County Extension Office in Salisbury and December 11, 2013 at Carroll Community College in Westminster. Optional training sessions are offered before the exam. Lawn care professionals hired to apply fertilizers to lawns are now required to be certified by MDA’s Nutrient Management Program or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. The requirement is a major component of Maryland’s new Lawn Fertilizer Law. To register for MDA’s Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or call MDA at 410.841.5959.

Homeowners Advised to Follow Label Instructions when Applying Lawn Fertilizer

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds homeowners to read and follow all label instructions when fertilizing lawns this fall. Doing so will benefit both lawns and the Chesapeake Bay. To further protect the Bay from nutrient runoff, do not fertilize lawns if heavy rain is predicted. For more tips and information on Maryland’s new Lawn Fertilizer Law, call the University of Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center at 1.800.342.2507 or visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

Upcoming 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.

Anne Arundel — December 10, 2013, Call 410-222-3906
Carroll County — November 7, 2013 and December 17, 2013, Call 410-386-2760
Frederick County — November 17, 2013, Call 301-600-1594
St. Mary’s County — October 15 and December 3, 2013, Call 410-475-4484
Somerset County — October 22, 2013, Call 410-651-1350
Wicomico County — December 17, 2013, Call 410-749-6141
Worcester County — November 19, 2013, Call 410-632-1972

MAEF Banquet and Auction Set for November 7, 2013

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) will host its 25th annual banquet and auction Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Michael’s 8th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased by calling 410-939-9030. Proceeds benefit MAEF’s agricultural educational outreach programs.
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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.