Maryland Agricultural Highlights – September 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

State Soil Conservation Committee to Meet September 20
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held Thursday, September 20 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 Hans Schmidt, at 410-841-5865.

Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam Set for October 16 in Annapolis 
The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam will be offered Tuesday, October 16, at its headquarters building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis.  Lawn care professionals who want to become certified by the department to apply fertilizer to turf should register for the exam by visiting mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer. Applicants are encouraged to sign up for the review session before the exam. Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law requires lawn care professionals who apply fertilizer to turfgrass to be certified by the department or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. For more information, call 410-841-5959.

Maryland Team Finishes Strong at National Envirothon Competition
The 2018 Maryland Envirothon champion team “Venturing Crew” from Carroll County, recently travelled to Pocatello, Idaho to compete in the NCF (National Envirothon) held at Idaho State University.  They were joined by 50 teams from across the United States along with teams from Canada and China. The rigorous competition featured field trips for training and testing and an oral presentation based on this year’s special issue, Western Rangeland Management.  At the end of the week-long event, the Maryland team finished a very respectable 24^th out of the 50 teams participating. For more information, contact Craig Hartsock at chartsock55@yahoo.com or 240-609-3508.

Homeowners Advised to Follow Label Instructions when Applying Lawn Fertilizer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners that late summer into 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. This benefits 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 tips and information on soil testing and Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer or extension.umd.edu/hgic.

Applications for LEAD Maryland Fellowships due October 1
The LEAD Maryland Foundation is seeking applicants for its next leadership development class. Applications are due October 1, and are available at www.leadmaryland.org. The 2019-2020 class of LEAD Fellows will complete a series of multi-day seminars held throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. along with a travel study tour and class project. The Foundation seeks applicants who are informed on issues, offer problem-solving ideas, build teams of support, and tell others about the importance of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Contact Susan Harrison at 410-827-8056 or leadmd@umd.edu for details.

Woods in Your Backyard Workshop Set for October 16 in Charles County
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) will sponsor a Woods in Your Backyard workshop on Tuesday, October 16, from 6-9 p.m. at the Charles County Extension Office, 9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton. The workshop is designed for anybody who owns from one to one hundred acres of land. Participants will learn how to create new natural areas from lawns or pastures and enhance existing woodland for wildlife, recreation or privacy. Tickets range from $10 – $25 per person. Register by October 11 at wiyb.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact UME Charles County at 301-934-5404.

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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.