Maryland Agricultural Highlights – March 2015

March 2015

SSCC Meeting Set For March 19

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2015 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.

March 1 Marks End of Lawn Fertilizer Blackout Dates

The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds citizens and lawn care professionals that fertilizer may now be applied to lawns as long as the ground is not frozen or snow covered and heavy rain is not predicted.  For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

Manure Matching Service Ready for Business

With spring planting season approaching, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds farmers that its Manure Matching Service is available to link farmers with excess manure with other farmers or alternative use projects that can use the product as a valuable resource. The service is voluntary, free and available to both sending and receiving farms. It complements MDA’s Manure Transport Program, which helps poultry, dairy, beef and other livestock producers cover the costs of transporting excess manure off their farms. For more information on both programs, farmers should contact their local soil conservation district, call 1-855-6MANURE or visit www.mda.maryland.gov/manure.

Soil Conservation District Annual Report Available

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) has released its 2014 annual report titled, Local Soil and Water Conservation Starts Here.  The report highlights how Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts are helping to implement Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to protect and restore the Bay.  For a copy of the report, contact Lynne Hoot at 410-956-5771 or [email protected].  The report is also available online at www.mascd.net.

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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.