Maryland Agricultural Highlights — February 2019

State Soil Conservation Committee to Meet February 21

The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 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, and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to soil and water conservation. For more information, contact Alisha Mulkey at alisha.mulkey@maryland.gov.

March 1 Filing Deadline for Nutrient Management Reports Fast Approaching

The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers that March 1 is the deadline for submitting Annual Implementation Reports summarizing nutrient applications made during calendar year 2018. Reporting forms and instructions were mailed in January to approximately 5,500 Maryland farmers who are regulated under Maryland’s Nutrient Management Program. Additional copies can be obtained at regional nutrient management offices and University of Maryland Extension offices, or downloaded at the department’s website. For more information, contact the department’s Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959.

Fertilizer Application Reports due March 1 for Licensed Professional Fertilizer Applicators

Licensed individuals and businesses that fertilize turf are required to file an Annual Fertilizer Application Report with the Maryland Department of Agriculture by March 1. The report outlines total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium applied to turf by county during calendar year 2018. Reporting forms and instructions were mailed to all license holders in January. Additional copies are available online at mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer. For more information, call 410-841-5959 or contact judy.mcgowan@maryland.gov.

2018-2019 Nutrient Management Voucher Training and Renewal Courses

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland Department of Agriculture offer free nutrient applicator voucher training for farm operators who apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of cropland. The two-hour course is required by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Management Program once every three years for these operators. (Farmers who are certified to write their own nutrient management plans are not required to attend this training.) The following sessions are still open:

• Anne Arundel County—March 12, call 410-222-3906
• Baltimore County—March 6, call 410-887-8090
• Caroline County—February 20, call 410-479-4030
• Carroll County—February 21, call 410-386-2760
• Frederick County—February 27, call 301-600-1594
• Harford County—February 26, call 410-638-3255
• Queen Anne’s County—March 1, call 410-758-0166
• Talbot County—March 5, call 410-822-1244
• Washington County—February, 28, call 301-791-1304

Soil Conservation District Annual Report Available

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) has released its 2018 annual report titled, Pulling Our Weight for the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup. The report highlights how Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts are helping farmers protect natural resources on their farms for a cleaner, healthier Chesapeake Bay. For a copy of the report, contact Lindsay Thompson at 443-262-8491 or lindsay.mdag@gmail.com.

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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.