July 10, 2020

Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail Returns for 2020 Season

ANNAPOLIS, MD—As the state continues its progress on the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that the 2020 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail will open on Friday, July 10, and will run through September 26. Now in its eighth year, the Ice Cream Trail is designed to promote the state’s dairy industry, and has become increasingly popular, drawing participants from across the state and beyond.

“While our state continues to carefully reopen, I am excited to see the return of Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Dairy farmers are an integral part of our state’s agricultural industry. This promotion is a great way to support hard working family farms while continuing to follow guidance on social distancing and face coverings.”

To minimize person-to-person contact, the department has discontinued its printed Ice Cream Trail passports. Instead, MDA is asking Trailblazers to collect a photo or selfie at each of the 10 creameries. Once participants have collected all of their photos, they can submit them with their name and contact information via email to [email protected]. Participants are encouraged to share their progress on social media using #MDIceCreamTrail.

All completed email submissions will receive a “2020 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trailblazer” certificate. One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to the creamery of their choice and DVD copies of the MPT original series, “Maryland Farm & Harvest.” More information is available at MarylandsBest.net.

“The Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail is a great way to promote the hard work of our dairy farmers while encouraging families to get a first-hand look at the farms that produce our food and fiber while keeping in mind social distancing and best practices to mitigate COVID-19,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder.

The 2020 Ice Cream Trail has expanded to 10 on-farm dairies with the addition of Nice Farms Creamery in Caroline County. The trail includes creameries across the state that produce and sell their ice cream directly to consumers. The trail stretched more than 290 miles from Washington County in the west to Worcester County in the east. The purpose of the trail is to increase the public’s understanding of dairy farming and to highlight the important contributions of Maryland’s 389 dairy farms, which according to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture accounted for more than $174 million in sales in 2017.

The 2020 Ice Cream Trail on-farm creameries include: Prigel Family Creamery (Baltimore), Nice Farms Creamery (Caroline), Kilby Cream (Cecil), South Mountain Creamery (Frederick), Rocky Point Creamery (Frederick), Broom’s Bloom Dairy (Harford), Keyes Creamery (Harford), Woodbourne Creamery at Rock Hill Orchard (Montgomery), Misty Meadow Farm Creamery (Washington), and Chesapeake Bay Farms (Worcester).

Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail is a joint promotion supported by MDA and the American Dairy Association North East. To learn more about dairy farming and the critical role it plays in our region, please visit americandairy.com.

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July 6, 2020

Maryland Agricultural Highlights — July 2020

Cover Crop Sign-up Ends July 17

Sign-up for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2020-2021 Cover Crop Program runs through July 17. Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to apply for grants to help offset the cost of planting fall cover crops to improve soil health and protect the Chesapeake Bay. This year’s sign-up is being conducted entirely by mail. Farmers who participated in last year’s program should check their mailboxes for an application packet. Applications are also available on the program’s website. To be considered for cost-share, applications must be postmarked by July 17. Farmers who have questions or need assistance with their applications should call the department at 410-841-5864 or contact their local soil conservation district.

New Farmer’s Guide to Environmental Permits Now Available

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has revised and updated its Farmers’ Guide to Environmental Permits. The guide serves as a quick reference to help farmers, businesses, and individuals comply with Maryland’s environmental regulations. It includes state authorizations issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. A commonly needed federal permit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 404, is also included. The newly revised Farmer’s Guide to Environmental Permits is available on the department’s website.

USDA’s New Pilot Program Offers Longer-Term Conservation Benefits

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will open sign-up on July 6 for CLEAR30, a new pilot program that offers farmers and landowners an opportunity to enroll in a 30-year Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract. This pilot program is available to farmers and landowners with expiring water-quality practice CRP contracts in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay regions. The sign-up period runs through Aug. 21 at local FSA offices. Farmers should visit the program’s website for more information.

Lawn Care Calendar Explains What to Do and What Not to Do to Keep Lawns Healthy

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) Home and Garden Information Center has published a lawn maintenance calendar that includes a seasonal checklist of things to do and not to do for an attractive lawn and a healthy Chesapeake Bay. A key tip is to never fertilizer cool season grasses, such as fescues and bluegrass during the summer. Instead, homeowners are advised to wait until September to fertilize cool season grasses based on soil test results. Learn more tips here.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Accepting Applications Through Aug. 28

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. USDA is accepting applications through Aug. 28. Producers should apply through the Farm Service Agency at their local USDA Service Center. 

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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. 

June 25, 2020

Howard County Horse Tests Positive for Equine Herpesvirus

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Program confirmed a horse in Howard County tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) on June 22. Samples from the symptomatic horse were sent to the Frederick Animal Health Laboratory, where the neurotropic strain of EHV-1 was confirmed. The horse was euthanized due to complications.

The Howard County farm has been placed on a hold order by the department, prohibiting movement on or off the farm until any exposed horses have been cleared for release. The horse was previously housed in an isolated barn with 27 other horses, none of which are showing clinical signs of EHV-1 or fever at this time. The veterinary practitioner and stable are providing follow-up care to the asymptomatic horses on the farm. Possible links to the positive EHV-1 equine are actively being investigated.

Owners are cautioned to monitor horses at their premises carefully, and should contact their private veterinarians to arrange for Equine Herpesvirus testing if a horse exhibits significant temperature elevations or neurologic signs. Veterinarians are required to report equine neurologic syndrome to the department by calling the Animal Health Program at (410) 841-5810.

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June 23, 2020

Department Issues Request for Proposals for Farms and Families Grant Program

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Agriculture has issued a request for proposals for the Maryland Farms and Families grant program. This program aims to double the purchasing power of residents using federal nutrition benefits at farmers markets throughout the state. The program will provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables for food-insecure Marylanders, while increasing revenues for farmers markets.

Grants will be used to match purchases made using checks from the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Women, Infants and Children benefits. The program will award up to $100,000 to non-profit organizations with the capacity to run this program.

All proposals should be submitted to the department by July 6. Request for proposal forms and guidelines are available on the department’s website.

For more information, contact Mark Powell at [email protected] or 410-841-5775.

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June 18, 2020

Department Announces Mail-In Applications for Cover Crop Program

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Agriculture today announced that this year’s cover crop sign-up will be conducted entirely by mail from July 1 through July 17. The popular conservation program provides farmers with cost-share assistance to offset seed, labor, and equipment costs associated with planting cover crops on their fields in fall to build healthy soils and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

“To help ensure the health and safety of our farmers and local soil conservation district staff, we have switched to a mail-in registration process for this year’s cover crop sign-up,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “As we continue to safely reopen the state, it is important for Maryland farmers to know they can continue to count on the department for assistance in protecting valuable water and soil resources.”

Farmers who participated in last year’s cover crop program will receive registration packets in the mail later this month. The packet includes an application, program flyer, step-by-step instructions, and return envelope that has been pre-addressed to a local soil conservation district. Beginning July 1, applications will also be available on the program’s website. To be considered for cost-share, applications must be postmarked by July 17. Farmers who have questions or need assistance with their applications should contact their local soil conservation districts.

Eligible farmers can receive up to $60/acre in cost-share grants to incorporate traditional cover crops into their fields this fall. The maximum payment for aerial seeding with incentives is $65/acre. Here are some additional highlights:

• The base payment is $40/acre for incorporated seed and $45/acre for aerial seed or aerial ground seeding.
• A $10/acre early planting incentive is offered for incorporated seed.
• Farmers who aerial seed or aerial ground seed cover crops into standing corn on or before September 10 qualify for a $10/acre incentive payment.
• Incentives to terminate cover crops after May 1, 2021 may be available.
• Farmers may plant cover crops after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, vegetables, and — new this year — hemp and millet.

Cover crops are important to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the productivity of Maryland’s farmland. In the fall, cold-hardy cereal grains are planted as cover crops in newly harvested fields. As they grow, cover crops provide a living, protective cover against erosion and nutrient runoff while building the soil’s organic matter for the next year’s crop.

To help create diversity, eligible cover crop species may be mixed with radishes and legumes, including clover, Austrian winter peas, and hairy vetch using a variety of two and three-species mixes.

Farmers are required to include a completed current Nutrient Management Plan Certification with their cover crop applications. This form may be downloaded from the website, and must be signed by both the farm operator and the person who prepared the farm’s Nutrient Management Plan.

Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the state’s 24 soil conservation districts through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. Applicants must be in good standing with MACS and in compliance with Maryland’s nutrient management regulations. Other restrictions and conditions apply. Funding for the 2020-2021 Cover Crop program is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.

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June 17, 2020

Department Encourages Marylanders to Reduce Mosquito Breeding Zones at Home

Photo Credit: Edwin Remsberg

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program urges residents to take simple measures to reduce mosquito populations on their property. Aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes can carry a number of harmful diseases like West Nile virus.

“The best way to prevent mosquito-borne disease is to eliminate the areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “This time of year with wet, hot, and humid conditions it is important to survey our yards and eliminate any potential breeding zones.”

Maryland’s most common nuisance mosquito is the Aedes albopictus or Asian tiger mosquito. This invasive species is active during the day and can be particularly aggressive. Aedes mosquitoes breed in containers of standing water rather than marshlands. Items like lawn furniture, corrugated drain pipes, flower pots, children’s toys, and a variety of common household items can quickly become mosquito breeding grounds. It is vital that all Marylanders survey their property and drain or remove anything where water can pool. Some tips include: 

• Identify any item on your property that retains even the smallest amount of water. After dumping or treating the water, either store the item somewhere dry or discard. Click here for a list of common items that can hold water.
• Remove corrugated drain pipe from downspouts and consider replacing it with smooth PVC piping. Each corrugation is a potential breeding ground. If removal isn’t possible, use screening to cover openings. 
• Properly store children’s toys, especially plastic toys that have small areas where water can gather. 
• Store containers, including buckets, pales, water bottles, storage totes, and recycling containers, where they cannot collect rainwater. Keep trash cans and rain barrels covered. 

The department has produced a series of video PSAs on eliminating breeding zones. For more helpful tips and information, visit the Mosquito Control Program’s website. For more information on mosquito-borne disease and human health, visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website.

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June 16, 2020

Department Adopts Regulations for Phase Out of Chlorpyrifos

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has adopted regulations to immediately restrict and phase-out the regular use of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide used in agricultural production and turf management. Notice of final action was published in the June 5, 2020, edition of the Maryland Register, with the regulation going into effect on June 15. Emergency regulations have been in effect since March 27.

The newly adopted regulations were developed in consultation with agricultural leaders, environmental advocates, and farmers to find a solution that would address the concerns of all parties. Aerial applications of chlorpyrifos are prohibited effective immediately. Other applications will be generally prohibited after December 31, 2020. Full text of the regulation was published in the April 10, 2020, edition of the Maryland Register.

The move toward an accelerated phase-out of chlorpyrifos is in step with similar actions in other states and the private industry. The regulation follows use data in Maryland that shows a sharp decline in the use of chlorpyrifos since the 1990s.

For more information on pesticide regulation in Maryland, please visit the program’s website. More information on chlorpyrifos is available on the EPA website. 

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June 8, 2020

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 [email protected].

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. 

June 4, 2020

Department Awards Animal Waste Technology Grant to Biorefinery Project in Wicomico County

photo credit: Elysian Fields

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has awarded a $1.9 million Animal Waste Technology Grant to International BioRefineries, LLC to install a biorefinery plant at Elysian Fields, a Wicomico County poultry farm owned by the Chesnik family. This project will allow Elysian Fields to test new technology that converts chicken manure into a variety of value-added products.

“Maryland continues to make good on its commitment to help farmers comply with environmental regulations by investing in promising new technologies that provide alternative uses for manure,” said Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder. “Our goal is to help farmers use the latest science to manage manure resources in a way that sustains the industry and protects the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”

The grant was awarded as part of the state’s ongoing effort to help farmers manage animal manure, protect natural resources, and pursue renewable energy sources. 

The Chesnik family operates eight poultry houses that generate approximately 1,000 tons of  litter annually. International BioRefineries, LLC will use a state-of-the-art thermochemical conversion technology known as “fast pyrolysis” to reduce the volume of  litter by 50%. The process involves placing litter in a high pressure reactor that excludes air. The litter is then rapidly heated under controlled conditions causing it to decompose into several useful products, including:

• Bio-oil, which can be marketed as an asphalt extender or fuel additive;
• Bio-char, a charcoal-like soil amendment that absorbs carbon and is used to enhance compost; and
• Synthesis gas or syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen that can be used as a heat source to dry litter.

The department issued a request for proposals in September 2019, and received three submissions. The technical review subcommittee evaluated each project and presented their recommendations to the full Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee.

The Animal Waste Technology Fund provides seed funding to companies that demonstrate innovative technologies on farms and alternative strategies for managing animal manure. These technologies may generate energy from animal manure, reduce on-farm waste streams, or repurpose manure by creating marketable fertilizer products. Program funding is provided by the Maryland Energy Administration and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. To date, the program has awarded $7.76 million in grants to approved projects. For more information, please visit the department’s website.

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May 28, 2020

Department Announces Dates for Pesticide Container Recycling Program

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section has announced 2020 dates and locations for its pesticide container recycling program. Each regional location will offer multiple recycling dates from June through September. This free program allows farmers, certified applicators, and other pesticide users to recycle used plastic containers at no cost. 

“In addition to providing an alternative option for disposal of pesticide containers, this program helps prevent pesticide residues from reaching soil and local waterways while diverting material away from landfills,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “I want to thank the Agricultural Container Recycling Council for its continued support as we enter the program’s twenty-seventh year. I encourage anyone with empty pesticide containers to take full advantage of this free, convenient program.”

Maryland’s pesticide container recycling program is a partnership between federal, state and local agencies and private industries. The program is free and open to all agricultural producers and pesticide applicators. The Agricultural Container Recycling Council provides a chipper to grind the used plastic containers into flakes, which are then transported to a contractor for recycling. The containers collected in Maryland have yielded nearly 1 million tons of recyclable plastic flakes.

A schedule of collection dates and locations is available on the department’s website. All recycling events will be subject to requirements of emergency orders related to COVID-19. All patrons and staff should wear cloth face coverings and follow best practices established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health.

For additional information, or to schedule a chipping date at your site, contact the department’s Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710. 

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May 21, 2020

Department Confirms First Spotted Lanternfly Hatch of 2020

Marylanders Encouraged to Keep a Lookout for Invasive Pest

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first spotted lanternfly hatch of 2020. The first instar nymph of the season was reported by a department employee while surveying for the pest in the upper northeast corner of Cecil County near the Pennsylvania border.

“Our department continues to work closely with our federal and state partners to survey and prepare for the emergence of this invasive pest in our state,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “As spotted lanternfly nymphs start to hatch, I encourage all Marylanders to keep a lookout for this insect that has the potential to devastate many of our farmers’ crops.”

The spotted lanternfly poses a major threat to the region’s agricultural industries as it feeds on over 70 different types of plants and crops — including grapes, hops, apples, peaches, oak, pine, and many others. As a known hitchhiker, the spotted lanternfly has confirmed populations in neighboring states, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and New Jersey. In Maryland, spotted lanternfly hatching has begun and will last through mid-July. Marylanders should stay vigilant for spotted lanternfly, which, in its current life stage, appear as tiny white-spotted angular black nymphs about a quarter-inch in size.

Following the department’s 2019 survey season, Maryland was found to have established populations of spotted lanternfly in Cecil and Harford counties. In fall of last year, the department’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to treat Ailanthus altissima, the spotted lanternfly’s preferred host, at multiple sites in Cecil and Harford counties. Treatment will begin again in late May or early June. The department’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program continues to work with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program, University of Maryland Extension, and others to monitor for the insect in Maryland.

A quarantine zone has been in effect for Cecil and Harford counties since October 2019 in an effort to control the spread of this invasive insect to other parts of the state. All spotted lanternfly permits for Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are transferable and valid throughout the region — meaning a permit from any of these states can be used in Maryland.

Businesses that require the movement of any regulated item within or from the quarantine zone must have a permit. A Maryland permit can be obtained by taking a free online training course through PennState Extension. Upon completion of the course and an online exam, individuals will receive a permit. Managers, supervisors, or employees of businesses operating in the quarantine zone must receive the approved training and pass the exam by at least 70% to demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the pest and quarantine requirements. Training of other employees, inspection of vehicles and products, and removal of living stages of spotted lanternfly must also be completed. 

Those living within the quarantine zone are encouraged to be vigilant in containing the spread of spotted lanternfly. The department has created a residential compliance checklist that is available for download on its website and will educate residents on the life cycle of the spotted lanternfly and areas to inspect around the home.

If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly or their egg masses, snap a picture of it and then smash it. Report the sighting with photo attachments and location information to the Maryland Department of Agriculture at [email protected]. Dead samples of spotted lanternfly from any life stage can be sent to the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

More information about the spotted lanternfly can be found on the department’s website. For questions related to the quarantine, permitting, or treatment, contact that Plant Protection and Weed Management Program at 410-841-5920.

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May 12, 2020

Maryland Agricultural Highlights — May 2020

Register Now for Online Recertification

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program will host an online recertification class for Professional Fertilizer Applicators on Thursday, May 14. To register, email Judy McGowan at [email protected] by May 12. Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law requires lawn care professionals be certified by the department or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified. Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certificates are valid through June 30 of each year and may be renewed annually for an $100 fee and with the verification of two hours of annual recertification training. Expiration dates for recertification are extended to 30 days after the State of Emergency is lifted. For more information, please visit the program’s website. 

Homeowners Reminded to Fertilize Lawns Responsibly

The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners who care for their lawns themselves to always read and follow the directions on the fertilizer bag. This will help prevent excess fertilizer from washing into nearby storm drains that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. To prevent runoff, fertilize warm-season grasses (Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass) in late spring or early summer and cool-season grasses (fescues, bluegrass) in the fall. Keep fertilizer at least 10 feet away from streams and waterways, sweep fertilizer that has landed on sidewalks and driveways back onto lawns, and never fertilize if heavy rains are expected. For more tips on how to fertilize responsibly, visit the department’s website.

Prince George’s Soil Conservation District Annual Report Available

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District has released its 2019 annual report outlining its agricultural and urban conservation programs that protect natural resources and the Chesapeake Bay. The report highlights the district’s 2019 Conservation Farmers of the Year. This year’s recipients are Paul and Missi Duley, who together with their sons, farm 2,000 acres in Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties using time-honored practices and new technologies to improve soil health, control erosion, manage nutrients, and protect local water quality. To read the report, visit the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District’s website.

Renewal Forms for Lawn Care Professionals Being Mailed in Late June, Early July

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that renewal forms for Certified Professional Fertilizer Applicators, business license holders, and trained employees will be mailed in late June or early July. Current certifications, registrations, and licenses will remain valid until 30 days after the State of Emergency. Citizens can verify that their lawn care provider is certified by visiting the department’s Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program’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. 

May 1, 2020

Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund Accepting Grant Applications

Proposals Due by May 15

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing is accepting grant applications for funding from the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund. The fund seeks to promote the production and consumption of Maryland wine and increase growth of commercial wine grapes across the state. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is the administrative agency responsible for receiving the applications and disbursing grant money to the selected applicants. Grants are contingent upon available funding.

Proposal guidelines and application forms are available on the department’s website. Applications must be submitted by May 15, 2020 at 4 p.m. For additional information, contact Karen Fedor at [email protected] or 410-841-5773. 

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April 30, 2020

Public Notice: Department to Treat Three Sites on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for Gypsy Moth

Aerial Sprayings in Wicomico and Worcester Counties Scheduled for May 2

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture will begin aerial spray treatments on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at one site in Wicomico County and two sites in Worcester County in an effort to control gypsy moth populations in the area. Gypsy moth is an invasive pest that destroys forest and shade trees.

The department will apply Foray 48B, a formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), via helicopter (Bell OH58, tail number: N655HA, color: white with red and blue accents). B.t. is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soils worldwide. It is a bacterial insecticide, not a chemical, and is only harmful to a very limited variety of organisms. All treatments are scheduled for May 2 at the following locations: 

• Wicomico County – Salisbury, Spray Block WI117
• Worcester County – Whaleyville, Spray Block WO001
• Worcester County – Whaleyville, Spray Block WO002​

Treatments will begin around 6 a.m. and should take two to three hours to complete. In the event of inclement weather, treatments will be rescheduled for a later date. Maps of the treatment sites and spray schedules can be found on the department’s website. All property owners directly affected by the treatments have been notified by letter. 

Every year, the department monitors the presence and severity of gypsy moth infestations around the state and assesses potential damage and tree loss. Predators, parasites, and diseases often kill gypsy moths. When the gypsy moths’ natural enemies fail to suppress high infestations, the department works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, local governments, and landowners to conduct aerial insecticide treatments to protect and preserve forest and shade trees.

Additional details on the Gypsy Moth Cooperative Suppression Program, is located on the department’s website. For more information on the gypsy moth, please see the program’s website. Marylanders are encouraged to follow the department’s Gypsy Moth Twitter account, @MDGypsyMoth, for updates on treatments.

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