Maryland Agricultural Highlights – September 2017

State Soil Conservation Committee Meeting Set For September 21
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, September 21, 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.

Maryland Teens Place 10^th in National Envirothon
A five member team of high school students from Carroll County placed 10^th among top ranking teams at the North American Envirothon, a weeklong environmental education competition held earlier this summer at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg.  The Carroll County team, known as Venturing Crew 202 was sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America and included co-ed team members from area schools: Abigail Bollinger, Lilianna Bowman, Nathan Bowman, Heather Fettke-Von Koeckritz, and David McDaniel. The team earned its spot at the national competition by winning both its county competition and the state competition. The Maryland Envirothon is sponsored by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee. For more information, visit www.mascd.net.

Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam and Training Offered 
Lawn care professionals who want to become certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to apply fertilizer to turf may register for one of the upcoming certification classes: October 17 or December 19 in Annapolis; September 20 or November 20 in Montgomery County; December 7 in Washington County; or December 12 in Wicomico County. Optional training sessions are offered before the exam. Lawn care professionals hired to apply fertilizer to turfgrass are required by law to be certified or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. The requirement is a major component of Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law. To register for a certification exam and see the complete 2017-2018 certification exam schedule, visit mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or call 410-841-5959.

Homeowners Advised to Follow Label Instructions when Applying Lawn Fertilizer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners that fall is the best time to fertilize cool season grasses including fescues, based on current soil test results.  When applying fertilizer, it is important to read and follow all label instructions.  Doing so will benefit both lawns and the Chesapeake Bay. To further protect the Bay from nutrient runoff, do not apply fertilizer near streams or if heavy rain is predicted.  For more information on soil testing and Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or extension.umd.edu/hgic.

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The Maryland Agricultural Awareness Alliance is a coalition of federal, state and local agricultural agencies and commodity groups dedicated to educating Marylanders on agricultural issues.