Maryland Agricultural Highlights — June 2020

Register Now for Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Webinar Series 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture will offer its annual Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training online from June 15–18. The training provides an overview of material covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Examination scheduled for August 7. Topics include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations. The non-refundable registration fee is $100 and includes learning materials. Registration forms and instructions are available on the website. Register for the training by June 10.

Application Window Moved to 2021 for the Next Class of LEAD Maryland Fellows 

The LEAD Maryland Foundation has announced that applications for its next class of LEAD Fellows will be accepted one year later than originally planned, from June 1 to Oct. 1, 2021. The class will run one year later as well, from 2022 to 2023. The postponement allows the current class of LEAD Fellows to complete seminars, travel study, and class projects that have been delayed or postponed due to COVID-19. LEAD works to increase the number of leaders serving agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. The LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program is a University of Maryland Extension program serving the entire state. For more information, go to leadmaryland.org or contact the program at leadmd@umd.edu.

Homeowners Reminded to Keep Grass High When Caring for Lawns

The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners to keep grass high when mowing in order to shade out weeds and retain moisture during periods of hot, dry weather. Raise the mowers’ cutting height by one-half inch to 1 inch and remember to leave grass clippings on the lawn as fertilizer. For more tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit the department’s website.

Cecil, Howard, and Montgomery Soil Conservation Districts Turn 75 

The Cecil, Howard, and Montgomery Soil Conservation Districts are celebrating 75 years of helping farmers care for the land and water. Their roots date back to the Dust Bowl crisis of the 1930s when an extended drought, combined with poor farming practices, caused soil from over-plowed fields and over-grazed lands to blow away in huge, black dust storms. Here in Maryland and across the nation, soil conservation districts were established as the first line of defense against the disaster. Their mission is to provide farmers and landowners with the tools they need to build healthy soils and protect natural resources. Learn more about how Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts are teaming up with farmers and landowners in every Maryland county to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. Visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s website.

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Maryland’s Conservation Partnership is a coalition of federal, state, and local agriculture agencies dedicated to protecting and conserving natural resources and promoting Maryland agriculture. Members include the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, the State Soil Conservation Committee, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and University of Maryland Extension.