Maryland Agricultural Highlights – AUGUST 2015

SSCC Meeting Set For August 20

The State Soil Conservation Committee will hold its next meeting on Thursday, August 20, 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.

Homeowners Urged to Use Responsible Lawn Care Practices during Summer Months

With summer in full swing, the Maryland Department of Agriculture urges homeowners to allow established lawns to go dormant during the hot, dry weather. Applying fertilizer to force a lawn to turn green during its dormancy period can damage the grass and contribute to nutrient pollution in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Dormant lawns will green up when cooler temperatures arrive and rainfall increases. To help shade grass and conserve moisture, raise the mower’s cutting height by ½ inch to 1 inch during periods of hot, dry weather and leave grass clippings on the lawn as a source of free fertilizer.  For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or extension.umd.edu/hgic.

Ag Education Golf Outing and Fundraiser Set for September 16

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) and the Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association will sponsor an Agricultural Education & Scholarship Golf Fundraiser on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Oakmont Green Golf Course, 2290 Golfview Lane in Hampstead. The registration fee is $115 per person and includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, and dinner.  Corporate/team sponsorships are also available.  The registration deadline is September 4, 2015. Proceeds support the education and outreach programs of MAEF and the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association.  For a registration form or more information, call MAEF at 410-939-9030 or visit www.maefonline.com/events_golf.html.

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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.