Department Seeks Food Exhibitors for Gulfood 2020 Tradeshow in Dubai

Deadline to Register for Cost-Share Program is November 16

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages Maryland food businesses who are looking to expand their products into international export markets to attend the Gulfood 2020 tradeshow, Feb. 16-20, 2020, in Dubai. Gulfood is the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering a 50% cost-share program for Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) members that covers booth costs, travel for up to 2 company employees on a U.S. carrier, lodging for up to 2 people per company at the federal per diem rate, booth furniture, and more. Companies must register before November 16. Booths are available on a first-come, first serve basis.

Interested Maryland companies must register for SUSTA, a non-profit organization that facilitates agricultural trade between small to medium-sized southern U.S. companies and overseas importers, to be eligible for this cost-share program. Sign up to become a SUSTA member on their website. After becoming a SUSTA member, companies interested in the cost-share program should reach out to the department’s Director of International Marketing Theresa Brophy at 410-841-5781 or [email protected] as soon as possible for next steps.

In the past five years, companies in the SUSTA booth at Gulfood have had sales of more than $40 million. Just last year, the tradeshow attracted more than 98,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors from 192 countries. The United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries import nearly 90% of their food. Value-added food categories like Halal foods, poultry, cheeses, non-alcoholic beverages, pet foods, and sauces all have great potential in this market.

For more information on Gulfood 2020, visit their website.

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November 5, 2019

Maryland Agricultural Highlights – November 2019

Fall Cover Crops Deadline November 5

The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers who signed up for grants to plant fall cover crops that they have until November 5 to get their fields planted. Cover crops planted by this date need to be certified with the local soil conservation district by November 13 in order to receive payment. For more information, farmers should visit the department’s website, contact their local soil conservation district, or call the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program at 410-841-5864.

Hadaway Named District Supervisor for Baltimore County Soil Conservation District

Eric Hadaway has been appointed as a District Supervisor for the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District. He succeeds Charlie Conklin, who served as the county-appointed board member for 16 years. The Baltimore County Soil Conservation District’s five-member Board of Supervisors provides leadership and works closely with local, state, and federal organizations to oversee a range of comprehensive natural resources protection programs for the county. Hadaway currently serves as Vice President and Director of Environmental Services at Daft McCune Walker, where he has coordinated environmental compliance for land development projects for 25 years. A resident of Baltimore County, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Towson University, and is a Certified Wetland Delineator and Qualified Forestry Professional. The Baltimore County Soil Conservation District serves all of Baltimore County. District technical staff work with agricultural producers to install best management practices on farms to protect natural resources, promote healthy soil, and safeguard the streams and rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. The district also assists the county’s urban interests by reviewing and approving erosion and sediment control plans, storm water management plans, and small pond plans. For more information, contact Jim Ensor at [email protected] or 410-527-5920.

2019-2020 Nutrient Management Voucher Training and Renewal Courses Announced

University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland Department of Agriculture will offer free nutrient applicator voucher training and renewal courses to 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. The courses are offered at locations statewide. For a list of dates and locations, visit the department’s website.

Northern Maryland Field Crops Day Set For December 5

Producers of corn, soybeans, hay, and small grains are invited to attend the 2019 Northern Maryland Field Crops Day set for December 5, at the Friendly Farm Restaurant, 17434 Foreston Road, Upperco. This meeting serves as recertification for Maryland private pesticide applicators and offers recertification credits for Pennsylvania recertification. In addition, producers can attend specific presentations to renew their Maryland Nutrient Applicators Vouchers. New this year, the event provides certified crop advisor continuing education credits. Presentations begin at 9:00 a.m. The event runs until 3:30 p.m. Lunch is available for $22 for guests who pre-register and $30 at the door. For more information, contact the Baltimore County Office of the University of Maryland Extension at 410-887-8090. Visit their website for more information.

Maryland Arborist Association to Host Pesticide Recertification Seminar January 21-22

The Maryland Arborist Association will host its 39th annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar January 21-22, at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Elliott City. This year’s event features Keynote Speaker John Ball of South Dakota State University along with seminars on the spotted lanternfly, pollinator protection, oaks, hazard communication, high voltage, and more. Lunch is included both days. More details are on the website.

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board Seeks Proposals

The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) is seeking proposals from universities, organizations, and individuals to help fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture. MGPUB will be using checkoff investments to support selected education, promotion, and research projects. Applications are due December 2. To learn more, visit MGPUB’s website. 

ShoreRivers to Host Workshop on Improved Drainage Water Management and Soil Health on December 4

ShoreRivers will host a one-day workshop on building farm resiliency through improved drainage water management and soil health on Wednesday, December 4, at the Caroline County Soil Conservation District, 9194 Legion Rd, # 3, Denton. RSVP by November 22 at [email protected] or by calling 410-810-7556, ex. 276.

50^th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture Event Set for February 6

The 50^th annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture Celebration will be held Thursday, February 6, at Michael’s Eighth Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive, Glen Burnie. The event features a bounty of Maryland agricultural products that will be served throughout the evening and aims to educate lawmakers about the importance of agriculture to all Maryland citizens. Inductees to the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame will be honored and Maryland Agriculture Council Educational Grant winners will be announced. Tickets are $100 per person and must be purchased by January 10, in order for attendees to be included in the program. Late reservation tickets will be $125. Members of the agricultural community should contact Gail Yeiser at (410) 353-3069 or [email protected] for reservations. For more information, contact Susan Summers at (240) 446-3601. The event is sponsored by the Maryland Agriculture Council, Inc. Additional information can be found at mdagcouncil.com.

National Corn Growers Association Scholarships Available

The National Corn Growers Association is offering a range of scholarship opportunities for students who want to serve rural America. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500. Student candidates or their parents must be members of the National Corn Growers Association. Applications are due December 1. Interested students can apply here.

Queen Anne’s Extension to Host Harvest Breakfast

Queen Anne’s County University of Maryland Extension office will host its 30^th annual Harvest Breakfast on Friday, December 6, at Chesapeake College. Dr. Andrew G. Ristvey, Extension Specialist for Commercial Horticulture, will provide an update on industrial hemp. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the event webpage.

Maryland Farm Fresh Turkeys and Other Local Products for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day chefs who want the freshest possible turkey for their family feast should visit marylandsbest.net. The website, an extension of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Department, lists farms throughout the state that sell farm-fresh turkeys along with helpful tips and recipes. Consumers also can find local cheeses, wines, and other Maryland products to serve during the holidays.

Maryland Census 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of every person living in the United States every 10 years. The data collected by the census determines Maryland’s representation in Congress, impacts local legislative districts, and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Completing your census form ensures Maryland families, neighbors, and communities receive the support they need. Census forms can be completed online, over the phone, or by mail. Mark your calendars for Census Day on April 1, 2020 and be sure to participate. More information can be found on the Maryland Census 2020 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.

November 4, 2019

Blackout Dates for Lawn Fertilizer Applications Take Effect on November 16

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Nov. 4, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds citizens that fertilizer blackout dates authorized by Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law will begin on Nov. 16, 2019 and run through Feb. 29, 2020.

Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law prohibits residents and lawn-care professionals from fertilizing lawns with products containing phosphorus and nitrogen between the specified blackout dates. An exception exists for lawn-care professionals, who may apply up to 0.5 pound of soluble or insoluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to lawns they manage until December 1.

Potassium and lime may still be applied during the blackout dates, since they are not considered a threat to water quality. Citizens and lawn-care professionals may resume lawn-fertilizer applications containing nitrogen and phosphorus on March 1, 2020, as long as the ground is not frozen or heavy rain is not predicted. A soil test is required before phosphorus may be applied to established lawns.

The department reminds citizens that the law prohibits anyone from using fertilizer products to melt ice and snow on steps, sidewalks, or driveways. Applying fertilizer to hard or frozen ground provides a direct pathway for nutrient runoff into storm drains that feed into the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law requires homeowners and lawn-care professionals to follow University of Maryland fertilizer recommendations and use best management practices when fertilizing lawns. In addition, the law requires lawn-care professionals to be licensed and certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to apply fertilizer to the properties they manage.

The department maintains a list of certified lawn-care professionals, along with additional information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, at mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.

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MPT’s Maryland Farm & Harvest Season Seven Premieres November 12

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, returns for its seventh season on November 12 with the first of 13 new half-hour episodes airing on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD.

Maryland Farm & Harvest takes viewers on journeys across the state, telling stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow Maryland’s number one industry: agriculture. MPT’s production team has filmed episode segments at more than four dozen farms in preparation for the new season. The first episode alone takes viewers to locations in Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Frederick Counties.

The new season of the weekly series also features themed episodes focused on farming education, women in farming, beverages made from Maryland farm products, farm demographics, and a special end-of-year holiday episode.

A short season seven preview can be viewed here. More series information is available at mpt.org/farm, and viewers can join the conversation on social media at the hashtag #MDFarmHarvest.

Series host Joanne Clendining, who earned an Emmy® award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her work on Maryland Farm & Harvest, returns for season seven. She is joined by Al Spoler, co-host of WYPR-FM’s “Cellar Notes” and “Radio Kitchen” programs, who handles duties for each episode’s The Local Buy segment.

More than nine million viewers have tuned in to Maryland Farm & Harvest since its 2013 debut. The series, which earlier this year earned two additional Emmy Awards for episodes during its sixth season, has taken MPT viewers to 300 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first six seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C.

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and is rebroadcast on Thursdays at 11:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 a.m. Each show also airs on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes of the series can be viewed at https://video.mpt.tv/show/maryland-farm-harvest/.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is MPT’s co-production partner for Maryland Farm & Harvest. Major funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.

Additional funding is provided by Maryland’s Best; the Maryland Agricultural Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation; MidAtlantic Farm Credit; the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation; the Rural Maryland Council; and the Maryland Soybean Board.

Other support comes from the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Wegmans Food Markets; the Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; the Maryland Seafood Marketing Fund; the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service; the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.; the Maryland Farm Bureau; The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Mar-Del Watermelon Association; Eddie Mercer Agri-Services, Inc.; and Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission.

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October 29, 2019

Department Seeks Exhibitors for 2020 Seafood Expo North America

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Seafood Marketing Program is reserving booth space at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, March 15-17, 2020, and is seeking six local businesses to attend and showcase the best of Maryland’s seafood industry. This expo is the largest seafood tradeshow in the United States, and will give exhibitors access to distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and food service representatives from around the world. Last year’s expo drew a crowd of over 22,200 people.

Those interested in attending should contact the department’s Seafood Marketing Director Stone Slade at [email protected] for an application. Selection is determined on a first-come, first-served basis and those chosen to participate by the Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission will receive a discounted exhibitor rate between $1,250 and $1,500.

For more information on Seafood Expo North America, visit their website.

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October 28, 2019

Department Issues Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine in Cecil and Harford Counties

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture today issued a spotted lanternfly quarantine for all of Cecil and Harford Counties. This quarantine is effective immediately and will restrict the movement of regulated articles within the quarantine zone that contain the spotted lanternfly in any of its life stages, including egg masses, nymphs, and adults.

Examples of regulated articles include landscaping, remodeling, or construction waste; packing materials like wood boxes or crates; plants and plant parts; vehicles; and other outdoor items.

Following the department’s 2019 survey season, these two counties were found to have established populations of spotted lanternfly. The quarantine has been issued in an effort to control the spread of this invasive insect to other parts of the state. A map of the quarantine zone can be viewed here.

Businesses, municipalities, and government agencies that require the movement of any regulated item within or from the quarantine zone must have a permit. A 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 a business or organization 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.

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. Maryland is currently in the process of developing its own training and permitting system for spotted lanternfly.

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 that educates residents on the lifecycle of the spotted lanternfly, and areas to inspect around the home.

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. Originally from Asia, the spotted lanternfly is nonnative to the U.S., and was first detected in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014. As a known hitchhiker, the spotted lanternfly has spread to 14 counties within Pennsylvania, and also has confirmed populations in Delaware, Virginia, and New Jersey.

This fall, the department’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to treat Ailanthus altissima for spotted lanternfly at multiple sites in the upper northeast corner of Cecil County, and along the northern border of Harford County. In total, 2,698 trees have been treated (2,403 trees in Cecil County and 295 trees in Harford County). The program continues to work with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine program, University of Maryland Extension and others to monitor the insect in Maryland.

If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly, snap a picture of it, collect it, put it in a plastic bag, freeze it, and report it to the Maryland Department of Agriculture at [email protected]. Dead samples from any life stage can be sent to the Maryland Department of Agriculture 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, please contact that Plant Protection and Weed Management Program at 410-841-5920.

Download the department’s Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Fact Sheet for more details about the quarantine.

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October 17, 2019

Maryland Horse Industry Board Certifies Seven New Horse Discovery Centers

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Horse Industry Board — a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture — has certified seven new Horse Discovery Centers in seven different counties across the state.

These centers are part of a volunteer certification program of existing licensed stables that welcome the general public of all ages and experience levels to learn about horses in a knowledgeable and friendly environment.

The seven new Horse Discovery Centers include:

• Camp Letts Equestrian Center — Edgewater (Anne Arundel County)
• Coexist Stables LLC — Mount Airy (Carroll County)
• Foxie G Foundation — Union Bridge (Frederick County)
• Linden Farm — La Plata (Charles County)
• Molly Hill Farm — Whiteford (Harford County)
• Talisman Therapeutic Riding Inc. — Queenstown (Queen Anne’s County)
• Wellspring of Life Farm — Monkton (Baltimore County)

These seven stables were recently recognized at the Maryland Horse Council’s annual barbecue at Sagamore Farm in Reisterstown.

“Maryland’s Horse Discovery Centers are at the heart of our state’s equine industry,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “For many visitors, the Horse Discovery Centers provide their first experience on a working horse farm. The centers play a critical role in engaging the public and showing them just how important the equine industry is in Maryland.”

“With the addition of these seven Horse Discovery Centers, this brings the total number of centers to 40 in 18 different counties around the state,” said Jim Steele, Chair of the Maryland Horse Industry Board. “These stables are part of the horse community’s outreach, making it accessible for every Marylander to learn about horses and to get involved.”

Many of the stables offer monthly “Open Barns,” where the public is invited to visit and interact with horses first-hand. They offer a wide range of experiences from demonstrations and hands-on activities to farm tours and volunteer opportunities. Many stables also offer riding lessons, trail rides, and pony rides.

“Horse Discover Centers are a great resource for folks to learn about horses, Maryland horse shows, and equine events,” said Anne Litz, Maryland Horse Industry Board’s Field Marketing Specialist. “The centers also serve as a recruitment opportunity to refer future equestrians to organizations like 4-H, Pony Clubs, and other equine associations.”

A full listing of Horse Discovery Centers and their contact information is available at www.mda.maryland.gov/horseboard.

For more information on the Horse Discovery Centers and Maryland’s equine industry, contact Anne Litz at [email protected], or Ross Peddicord at [email protected], 410-841-5798.

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October 16, 2019

Celebrate National Seafood Month with Fresh, In-Season Maryland Seafood

ANNAPOLIS, MD – October is National Seafood Month and the Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages Marylanders to support our local watermen and processors by purchasing Maryland seafood throughout the month and beyond.

“Maryland is known for many things and seafood is at the top of the list,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “In Maryland, the seafood sector is an important industry that contributes more than $355 million each year to the state’s economy and supports 3,341 jobs. By eating Maryland seafood, you are supporting local watermen, Maryland’s seafood industry, and the entire state’s economy.”

Maryland seafood is best known for its iconic blue crab. In 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Maryland watermen harvested 30.6 million pounds of crabs, totaling nearly $48.5 million. In that same year, 671,000 pounds of oysters were harvested for a dockside value of $10.4 million. Maryland watermen also harvested 1.8 million pounds of rockfish with a dockside value of $7 million and 1.7 million pounds of Chesapeake blue catfish with a dockside value of $920,000.

Maryland’s famous blue crabs, wild oysters, rockfish, and Chesapeake blue catfish are currently in season. The department encourages Marylanders to ask for Maryland seafood when dining at restaurants and for home cooks to try recipes that include the local bounty.

The department recommends trying Chesapeake blue catfish. The Chesapeake blue catfish is a non-native species in Bay that feasts on mussels, freshwater clams, perch, rockfish, and blue crabs. By eating the flaky, white fish you can help protect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and support the seafood industry.

Another way to celebrate National Seafood Month is by attending the 53rd Annual U.S. Oyster Festival in St. Mary’s County on Oct. 19 & 20. This event is home to the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship Contest and the National Oyster Cook-Off.

For more information about Maryland seafood, where to purchase local seafood, and for seafood recipes, visit www.marylandsbest.net.

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October 15, 2019

Maryland Department of Agriculture Accepting Proposals for 2020 Animal Waste Technology Grants

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Agriculture is now accepting Fiscal Year 2020 grant proposals for the department’s Animal Waste Technology Fund. This Fund seeks projects from vendors, businesses, and individuals offering technologies that can demonstrate innovative, economically-feasible management and utilization of manure and manure products.

The Fund has approximately $3.5 million available to invest in innovative technologies during FY 2020, which ends June 30, 2020. There is no maximum or minimum request. To be eligible for financial assistance, the project must have a strong potential to improve public health and the environment; preserve the viability of the agriculture industry; and have a positive economic development impact in Maryland.

Applications can be downloaded on the department’s Animal Waste Technology Grants website. Proposals should be submitted by 4 p.m. on December 1, 2019 to:

Ms. Alisha Mulkey
Maryland Department of Agriculture — Office of Resource Conservation
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 410-841-5734

Email submissions with application attachments in PDF or Word format are preferred. Please view the Fund’s 2020 Request for Proposals for more information regarding application submission, eligibility, and deadlines.

The purpose of this Fund is to encourage the development and implementation of proven and innovative technologies that manage agricultural manure and on-farm generated waste in a manner that reduces the amount of nutrients in the waste; changes the product’s form or function for alternative uses; or produces energy or other marketable products from the waste.

Maryland and other Bay jurisdictions are in the final phase of a multi-state Bay cleanup effort that is working to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing the amount of sediment and nutrients — mainly nitrogen and phosphorus — entering its waters by 2025.

While poultry litter and livestock manure make excellent fertilizers and soil amendments, their use as a crop fertilizer creates challenges for farms with high soil phosphorus levels. To help these producers protect waterways from excess phosphorus and remain profitable, Maryland is investing in technologies that support new uses for manure such as alternative product development and manure-to-energy projects that add value to the farm business model.

Funding support for the Animal Waste Technology Fund is provided by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and the Maryland Energy Administration. For more information, visit the Animal Waste Technology Grants’ website or contact Alisha Mulkey at 410-841-5863 or [email protected].

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