{"id":1735,"date":"2012-04-01T12:28:36","date_gmt":"2012-04-01T12:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1735"},"modified":"2012-11-27T17:34:24","modified_gmt":"2012-11-27T17:34:24","slug":"april-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2012\/04\/01\/april-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Smart,Maryland Department of Agriculture\u00a0News<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u00a0 Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/td>\n April 2012<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
In This Issue<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gov Invites Recipes<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
@MDGypsyMoth<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm to School Grants<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lawn Fertilizer Law<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Maryland Harvest<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Invasive Pests<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MD Ag Commission Tour<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horse Vaccinations<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmers Markets Open<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Featured Recipe<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n

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\"MDA<\/p>\n

Extreme weather – hot and dry to cold and rainy – has made for a typical Maryland spring where Mother Nature always seems to throw us a curveball. \u00a0Yet, agriculture and Maryland farmers remain resilient in their efforts to provide a nutritious, safe food supply. The recent rain has provided much needed relief for some of the drier spots across the state, and crops are about two weeks ahead of schedule. Be sure to buy local asparagus and sweet, juicy strawberries while they are still in season!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this early start to spring, Marylanders are getting out and sprucing up their lawns and gardens. Forty-four percent of all fertilizer sold in Maryland is lawn fertilizer. A new law<\/a> is going into effect next fall to protect the Chesapeake Bay from excess nutrients entering its waters from urban and suburban sources, including golf courses, parks, athletic fields, and hundreds of thousands of suburban and urban lawns. The law limits the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that may be contained in lawn fertilizer products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MDA, in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center, is providing information on how homeowners can comply with Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law <\/span>online<\/a>.\u00a0We are also offering <\/span>tips<\/a> for sustainable landscaping and ideas for how to incorporate good environmental stewardship for lawns and gardens. For anyone who would like to grow their own food, Master Gardeners have created a great website with valuable and interesting information at\u00a0<\/span>growit.umd.edu<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2012 General Assembly Session ended April 10 and several bills passed that will help MDA strengthen consumer protection, enhance food safety and improve water quality. \u00a0These included a bill to increase the cap (maximum amount per project) for water pollution control projects from $100,000 to $200,000. This will \u00a0help poultry and livestock farmers in manure management and storage. \u00a0Additionally, the animal waste technology projects included in the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund will be transferred from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to MDA. The fund is designed to give farmers new answers to animal waste challenges. Learn more on our website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nSeveral additional bills passed that are also of interest to the agricultural community. The 2010 Bay Trust Fund now includes funding for manure-to-energy projects and additional soil conservation district technicians. Many of you will also be happy to know that the “estate tax” bill, passed unanimously in both houses. This will allow farms valued less than $5 million to be passed down from generation to generation without incurring estate taxes, provided that the land stays in agricultural use for at least 10 years. This bill will help preserve family farms and opens spaces.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MDA is finalizing a revised nutrient management package. We plan to meet with stakeholders in early May and anticipate submitting the regulations to the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review in mid-May. \u00a0The revised regulations will be published in the Maryland Register for a 45-day public comment period that will likely run from mid-June through July.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Governor O’Malley and I attended the Delmarva Poultry Industry’s 56th Annual Booster Banquet in Salisbury this month. \u00a0There, he thanked our poultry growers and companies for their continued input into how we can better strengthen our poultry industry, strengthen agriculture, and protect farming jobs. \u00a0He applauded poultry as Maryland’s top agricultural industry and its importance to the economy. The poultry industry provides thousands of jobs and businesses, and is the lifeblood of the Eastern Shore economy and lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the banquet, Governor O’Malley also recognized Alan and Kristin Hudson, saying the allegations filed in federal court by the Waterkeeper Alliance against the Berlin poultry growers “struck me as an injustice.” \u00a0He thanked them for “hanging in there,” and said “You should not be litigated off your land.” \u00a0A trial date for the case has been set for October 9. We are hoping for a successful resolution to the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Congratulations to students and staff at Southern High School in Anne Arundel County for their new Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) program. It was great to see students excited about agriculture!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved a five-year, half trillion-dollar farm bill farm that would save $24.7 billion over 10 years. The bill cuts subsidy payments in favor of new crop insurance programs and represents one of the biggest policy changes in generations. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n

We encourage you to stay informed as the legislation moves forward and to contact your elected officials about issues important to you. Lawmakers are charged with implementing new farm legislation before the current law expires on Sept. 30. We will keep you posted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In other federal news, the U.S. Department of Labor has withdrawn the controversial Child Labor in Agriculture proposal – including provisions to define the ‘parental exemption’ – in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Instead, the Departments of Labor and Agriculture will work with rural stakeholders to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.” \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thank you for interest in Maryland Agriculture.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

Buddy Hance<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secretary<\/a> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Quick Links<\/strong><\/div>\n
More About MDA <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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Sign Up for Governor O’Malley’s E-Newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Governor O’Malley Invites Recipes from Local Chefs for Annual “Buy Local” Cookout<\/span> \u00a0<\/strong>
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Finalists will Prepare Dishes Featuring Local Products at <\/span><\/div>\n
Government House to Kick Off Buy Local Challenge Week<\/span><\/div>\n

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<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nGovernor Martin O’Malley invites chefs <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Gov. O’Malley enjoying Maryland cuisine at a Buy Local Cookout<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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using Maryland ingredients from
\nMaryland sources to submit original recipes for the 5th Annual “Buy Local Cookout<\/a>,” which will be held at Government House in Annapolis on July 19. Recipes must be submitted by a chef and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer. The cookout kick-offs<\/span>event\u00a0Buy Local Challenge Week <\/a>(July 21-29), during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week. Recipe submissions<\/a> are due May 21.\u00a0For complete rules of entry and additional information<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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MDA Launches New Twitter Feed @MDGypsyMoth to Keep Residents Informed of Spraying Efforts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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MDA plans to begin spraying for Gypsy Moths on May 15 (weather permitting) and <\/span>has launched a<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"gypsy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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A helicopter sprays for gypsy moths.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

dedicated Twitter feed to help keep the public apprised of its activities. More than 2,500 acres of forests, all of them in Garrett County<\/a>, will be treated this season. Follow the Twitter feed at: @MDGypsyMoth.<\/a> In addition, the MDA website<\/a> will also have information about spraying activities.\u00a0<\/span>The primary MDA Twitter feed can be followed \u00a0<\/span>@MdAgDept.<\/a> For more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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USDA Announces National Farm-to-School Grant Program in Maryland, Opportunities for Producers<\/strong><\/span>
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\"Merrigan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and MDA Secretary Buddy Hance<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan came to Maryland to announce that USDA is offering a new national grant program<\/a> to invest in farm-to-school programs. The grants will help schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect with local agricultural producers. Merrigan, accompanied by MDA Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, joined students at Southern High School<\/a> in Anne Arundel County to announce the program.\u00a0 Southern is the first high school in the county to use the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education <\/a>(CASE) and recently created its first Future Farmers of America chapter. For more information about the announcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more about\u00a0 USDA Farm to School<\/a> and Maryland Farm to School<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MDA Demonstrates Practices that Help Homeowners Meet New Fertilizer Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

New Fertilizer Law Impacts Homeowners and Turf Grass Managers<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Backyard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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UM Extension Home and Garden Information Center Director
\nJon Traunfeld demonstrates conservation practices.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Lawn fertilizer now accounts for 44 percent of all fertilizer sold in Maryland, and MDA reminds homeowners and lawn care professionals that new requirements on how lawn fertilizer products may be applied will take effect Oct. 1, 2013.<\/p>\n

Maryland’s Fertilizer Use Act of 2011<\/a> is designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay from excess nutrients entering its waters from a variety of urban sources, including golf courses, parks, recreation areas, athletic fields, businesses and hundreds of thousands of suburban and urban lawns.<\/p>\n

To prepare residents for the change and to celebrate Earth Day<\/a>, MDA demonstrated<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Hance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Media interviewed Secretary Hance about Fertilizer Act.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

several conservation practices to the public and the media that homeowners can use to improve water quality and be good environmental stewards.\u00a0 For more information about the MDA Event<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information about Maryland’s new lawn fertilizer law<\/a>.\u00a0 For an FAQ sheet<\/a> on the new law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
MDA Hosts Screening of The Maryland Harvest<\/em> <\/strong><\/span>
\nBroadcast highlights partnerships between farmers and chefs<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Featured in <\/em>The Maryland Harvest<\/span> are: Russ Shlagel, Al Spoler, Chef Spike Gjerde, Lisa Godfrey and Bill Caulk<\/span>.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

MDA celebrated the beginning of the spring planting season by hosting an advanced screening of The Maryland Harvest<\/a>, an hour-long documentary that aired on Maryland Public Television during Chesapeake Bay Week<\/a>. Local chefs and farmers featured in the documentary participated in a panel discussion immediately following the piece. Houpla, Inc.,<\/a> a Baltimore company, produced the documentary, which follows the growing season and chronicles several chef-farmer partnerships. For more information.<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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USDA, MDA Officials Set Traps for Invasive Pests<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Public Urged to Help Stop Pests that Feed on Agricultural Crops<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Sec.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and USDA Deputy Under Secretary Rebecca Blue<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

MDA Secretary Buddy Hance, Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Rebecca Blue stressed the importance of stopping invasive plants and pests by hanging one of the first EAB survey traps<\/a> of the season in the trees of Patuxent Wetlands Park in Anne Arundel County.Traps are used to identify and track invasive pests and help officials develop possible eradication or other mitigation measures. USDA designated April “Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Awareness Month<\/a>” to enlist public support for preventing the spread of a growing number of invasive pests that are feeding on America’s agricultural crops, trees and other plants.\u00a0For more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch a YouTube video of the event<\/a> featuring Secretary Hance or a WJZ-TV Baltimore report<\/a> on the EAB featuring Program Manager Dick Bean.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Agriculture Commission Tours Caroline, Talbot Counties\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Members host public hearing to gather public concerns<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"MD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maryland Agricultural Commission prior to its
\npublic meeting in Easton.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Maryland Agricultural Commission<\/a> visited a diverse set of agricultural facilities during its spring tour of Caroline and Talbot counties on the Eastern Shore this month. The tour was followed by a public meeting in Easton in which citizens met with commissioners to express a wide range of concerns, from nutrient management regulations to the need for more public education about agriculture. The Commission is presently made up of 23 active members who represent commodities and organizations across the state and serve as an advisory body to the Secretary. As a group, the members address legislative and policy issues that affect Maryland agribusiness. The commission tours various parts of the state and meets with local citizens twice a year. For more information about the commission<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate Horses Against WNV \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\"Horse\"MDA urges horse owners to vaccinate their horses against potentially fatal mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus<\/a>, which continues to impact both animal and human populations in the state.\u00a0 Horse owners who have vaccinated their horses against eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) still need to get their horses vaccinated for West Nile, as these are different viruses and those vaccinations do not provide cross protection. For more information<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Fresh Farmers Market Season is Here!\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Maryland’s farmers’ markets are starting to open across Maryland. This season’s produce features kale, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, early lettuces and strawberries. In addition, many carry meats, cheeses and nursery products. More than 140 farmers markets will open this year with at least one in every county and Baltimore City. Farmers’ markets can be located on the Maryland’s Best website<\/a>.\u00a0The printed 2012 Maryland Farmers’ Market Directory will be available soon. The directory lists the locations and hours of each market.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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Recipe of the Month:
\nStrawberry Shortcake with Biscuits\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"Strawberry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\u00a9Edwin Remsberg\/ www.remsberg.com<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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In the South, strawberry shortcake is always made with biscuits rather<\/em>than sponge cake; in this and many other culinary learnings, Maryland seems to side with the South over the North.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Serves 6<\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n

1\/2 cup sugar
\n2 quarts strawberries, hulled and cut in half
\n2 cups all-purpose flour
\n3 teaspoons baking powder
\n1 teaspoon lemon zest
\n1\/4 teaspoon salt
\n6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
\n1 egg
\n1\/2 cup half-and-half
\n1 pint whipping cream<\/p>\n

Directions:<\/p>\n

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  1. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of sugar on top of the strawberries and toss. Cover and macerate for 1 hour.<\/li>\n
  2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of the remaining sugar, the baking powder, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Add the butter, cutting it in until the mixture is crumbly.<\/li>\n
  3. Whisk together the egg and the half-and-half in a small bowl until blended. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until moist. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it three times. Roll out the dough to a 1\/2-inch thickness and, using a biscuit cutter, cut out 6 biscuits. Bake them on an ungreased baking sheet for 10 minutes, until golden brown.<\/li>\n
  4. Combine the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a chilled bowl. Whip with a whisk or electric mixer until soft peaks form.<\/li>\n
  5. Split the biscuits and spoon strawberries over them. Top with whipped cream and serve warm.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Recipes compliments of Dishing Up Maryland<\/em> by Lucie L. Snodgrass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n