Maryland Agricultural Highlights – August 2018

State Soil Conservation Committee to Meet August 16
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, August 16, at 9:30 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. 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 Hans Schmidt, at 410-841-5865.

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops Offered September 21 and 28
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan. The first workshop will be held September 21 at the Montgomery Extension Office in Derwood, and the second workshop will be held September 28 at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. The workshops are designed for people who are new to the nutrient management plan-writing process. Participants will learn how write a nutrient management plan using NuMan Pro, the nutrient management planning software program while earning six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement. The $20 registration fee covers materials and lunch. Register by mail before September 15by calling 410-841-5959 or visiting the program’s website.

Lawn Care Professionals Must Be Certified to Apply Fertilizer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds citizens that Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law requires lawn care professionals to be certified and licensed by the department to apply fertilizer to the lawns that they manage. A list of Certified Lawn Care Professionals is available on the department’s website.

Ag Education Golf Outing and Fundraiser Set for September 12
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) and the Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association will sponsor a scholarship golf tournament on Wednesday, September 12 at Oakmont Green Golf Course, 2290 Golfview Lane in Hampstead. The registration fee is $125 per person and includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, and dinner.  Corporate/team sponsorships also are available.  The registration deadline is September 7. 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 is a coalition of federal, state and local agricultural agencies and commodity groups dedicated to educating Marylanders on agricultural issues