Maryland Agricultural Highlights – May 2016

MAY 2016

State Soil Conservation Committee Meeting Set For May 19
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, May 19, 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.

St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District Annual Report Available
The St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District has released its 2015 annual report outlining its agricultural and urban conservation programs to protect natural resources and the Chesapeake Bay.  The report highlights the district’s 2015 Cooperators of the Year, Jimmy Combs & Charlene Pizzadili, who own and operate a beef cattle farm. They have installed numerous best management practices over the years to control soil erosion, manage nutrients and protect water quality. For a copy of the report, visit the St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District’s website.

Prince George’s Soil Conservation District Celebrates 75^th Anniversary
On April 27, the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District celebrated 75 years of helping landowners protect and conserve natural resources. Established under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the devastating soil erosion of the Dust Bowl years, soil conservation districts are located in almost every county across the United States and Puerto Rico. The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District is the fourth Maryland soil conservation district to reach this milestone. For more information, contact Steve Darcey at 301-574-5162.

Renewal Forms for Lawn Care Professionals Will Be Mailed in June
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that renewal forms for certified professional fertilizer applicators, business license holders, and trained employees will be mailed in early June. Lists of Certified Lawn Care Professionals can be found in the right column of the Department’s website.

Recertification Seminars Offered for Lawn Care Professionals
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has posted two new recertification seminars for lawn care professionals who are required to undergo two hours of continuing education each year in order to renew their Professional Fertilizer Applicator certificates. There is no cost for the recertification class, however, advance registration is required and seating is limited. Training sessions are scheduled for June 22 in Wicomico County and June 28 in Montgomery County.  Registration forms are posted on the Department’s website.

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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.