{"id":1741,"date":"2012-01-01T12:33:06","date_gmt":"2012-01-01T12:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1741"},"modified":"2012-11-27T17:36:10","modified_gmt":"2012-11-27T17:36:10","slug":"january-2012-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2012\/01\/01\/january-2012-2\/","title":{"rendered":"January 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 January 2012<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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In This Issue<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmers Feed Us<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Annual Report Released<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Be Counted! <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taste of MD Feb. 2<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Food Safety Training<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Touch of Class<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MHIB Grants Awarded<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MHIB-China Partnership<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MDA Following Bills<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children in Nature<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MANTS <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Golden Geese Awards<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inside MDA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recipe of the Month<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Budget Unveiled<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As you may have read in the news, the Governor recently introduced his Fiscal Year 2013 budget<\/a>. We have been reviewing the budget and will continue to do so. MDA was required to cut our budget by $1 million for FY13.\u00a0 Doing so required us to make tough decisions, but we feel that they are the best means of continuing our work that is core to our mission.\u00a0 The Governor’s budget is predicated on a doubling of the Bay Restoration Fund (“flush fee”), which would greatly benefit MDA, our staff and our constituents.\u00a0 Click here<\/a> to read the Governor’s FY 2013 budget highlights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Nutrient Management<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Regarding the proposed changes to Maryland’s Nutrient Management Regulations, additional discussions with stakeholder groups (agricultural, environmental groups, municipal interests) and Governor Martin O’Malley’s staff took place on Dec. 15 and Jan. 3 to iron out additional changes that will make the regulations both more effective at protecting water quality and easier to implement. <\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed changes aim to adopt the latest science and technology into our regulatory framework. Ultimately, the goal of the revised regulations is to help Maryland meet nitrogen and phosphorus reduction goals spelled out in its Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for the Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Once all additional comments or concerns have been considered, changes to Maryland’s Nutrient Management Regulations will be published in the Maryland Register. <\/span><\/p>\n

MDA will then provide public notice of the changes and offer a 45-day public comment period. After the comment period closes, MDA will review any comments.<\/p>\n

If MDA needs to make substantive changes as a result of the public comments, the revised regulations will be resubmitted for legislative review and publication in the Maryland Register. We look forward to completing this initial phase of the process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Also – a reminder – farmers who are regulated under Maryland’s Nutrient Management Program must submit their annual implementation report (AIR) to MDA by March 1 describing how they utilized nutrients in the previous calendar year. <\/span><\/p>\n

The new combined reporting form will reduce paperwork for animal operations and help MDA document agricultural conservation practices in use on Maryland farms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Legislative Session \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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This year is already proving to be another busy legislative session in Annapolis. In addition to the departmental legislation<\/a> being introduced, we are hearing about additional bills being considered that will be of interest to the agricultural community. <\/span><\/p>\n

Governor Martin O’Malley accepted PlanMaryland last month as the executive policy plan to better coordinates the smart growth efforts and programs of state government.
\nGovernor O’Malley is reviving the push for septics legislation this year with the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012<\/a>, a bill that implements a four-tiered comprehensive plan to guide growth on central sewer and septic systems and ensure the land use and pollution impact of future Marylanders is minimized. This bill will be different from last year as the Administration tried to address issues raised by the agricultural community.<\/p>\n

The Governor will also fight to protect the State’s family farms by raising the exemption for some agricultural properties.<\/p>\n

The Governor also just introduced legislation to double the Bay Restoration Fund<\/a> (“flush fee”) of which 40 percent would go to agriculture for the cover crop program.\u00a0 Now is the time to pay attention to the lawmaking process in Annapolis.<\/p>\n

There are not many representatives of agriculture in our General Assembly – it is important they know where you stand on issues and make sure your voices are heard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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WIP Public Comment <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On Dec. 15, Maryland provided EPA with a preliminary draft of the State’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The purpose of the preliminary draft was to provide EPA with an opportunity to confirm that the proposed strategies would meet the Bay TMDL goals. Based on results from EPA, updated draft documents are available for public review and comment<\/a>\u00a0 through March 9, 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poultry Summit<\/p>\n

We applaud U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., for taking the time to listen to poultry industry leaders about their concerns during the poultry summit held on\u00a0 Jan. 23 at the Delmar Volunteer Fire Hall. Agriculture is a leading industry in Maryland and the single largest land use. We appreciate the support of the Senators and welcomed the opportunity to also participate in the summit with U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, both D-Del., and U.S. Rep. John Carney, D-Del. We discussed labor, environmental and trade issue, the impact of biofuels and the importance of the poultry industry to Delmarva.<\/p>\n

Crop Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

For those of you who are enrolled in crop insurance, Jan. 31 marks the deadline for filing acreage and production reports for peaches and apples. Jan. 31 is also the deadline for enrollment and policy changes for Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and the deadline to make policy changes for renewal of AGR-Lite renewal policies. Feb. 15 marks the deadline for enrollment and policy changes for green peas.<\/span><\/div>\n

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In Memoriam<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Earlier this month, we were saddened to learn about the passing of Kenny Carr, a longtime board member and past chair of the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District. His passion for tobacco farming and his many years of leadership in the agricultural community through the district and Farm Bureau earned him great respect and he will be sorely missed.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Taste of Maryland Agriculture Gala<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On a happier note, more than 700 agricultural leaders and legislators will gather on Feb. 2, to celebrate the importance of Maryland’s leading industry at the “Taste of Maryland Agriculture”<\/a> gala in Glen Burnie.\u00a0 The Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame award also will be presented that evening to a farm family that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to agriculture and the communities in which they live and work. We hope to see you there!<\/span><\/div>\n

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

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

Secretary<\/a><\/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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BayStat <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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
Join Our Mailing List!<\/strong><\/a>
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Mid-Atlantic Farmers Offer Residents a Chance
\nto Win Free Groceries for a Year\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Mid-Atlantic Farmers Offer<\/em><\/span> Sweepstakes through April 3\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region are offering residents of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. a chance to win free groceries for an entire year simply by <\/span>\"Win<\/a> <\/em><\/span>visiting the www.FarmersFeedUS.org<\/a> website and spending a little time getting to know local farmers and what they do.\u00a0 Residents can also qualify for Free Chicken for a Year and Free Ice Cream for a Year. (Yum!)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Residents qualify for free groceries by visiting the website and registering to meet a farmer by watching a short video that shows how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of the 10 featured farmers daily through April 3, when the campaign ends.<\/span><\/p>\n

“As Mid-Atlantic farmers, we’re thrilled to offer free groceries for a year to the consumers of our states,” said Chip Councell, a grain and vegetable farmer from Cordova, who is a featured farmer on FarmersFeedUS.org<\/a>. “This is an opportunity for us to share what we produce with consumers of the region and to let them know we share their values — taking care of our families, taking care of our animals and land, and giving back to our communities.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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MDA Releases Annual Report\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\"MDA<\/a><\/p>\n
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Report details the agency’s work<\/em><\/p>\n

The FY 2011 Annual Report<\/a> for the Maryland Department of Agriculture was released this month. The 92-page report details the work, challenges and accomplishments of all agency functions, from animal health to weights-and-measures. An online version can be viewed here<\/a>. Print copies are available by contacting the Public Information Office at: 410-841-5889.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Stand Up and Be Counted:
\nSurveys Aim to Count Farmers’ Conservation Efforts<\/strong><\/span>Two new farmer surveys being conducted by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service<\/a> (NASS) aim to resolve a long standing concern among members of the agricultural community — that farmers are not being credited for voluntary conservation practices that they have installed.<\/p>\n

NASS is currently visiting selected Maryland farmers as part of the 2011 National Resources Inventory Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) survey<\/a>, which wraps up in February. This survey will gather information about farming and conservation practices on cultivated cropland. Its chief aim is to provide a much needed “complete picture” of conservation practices implemented in the Chesapeake Bay watershed while illustrating the good work that farmers are already doing to conserve natural resources.<\/p>\n

A second survey commissioned by MDA will be mailed to selected farmers in mid-February.\u00a0 It focuses on pesticide and fertilizer use.<\/p>\n

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“These surveys provide an ideal and timely opportunity for Maryland farmers to showcase the voluntary environmental stewardship practices already in place. I encourage everyone who is contacted to participate in the surveys so we will have the most accurate information as we move forward in developing Phase II of the EPA’s Watershed Implementation Plan.” \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

— Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance<\/div>\n

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Taste of Maryland Gala Scheduled for Feb. 2 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\"Ag<\/a> The Maryland Agriculture Council<\/a>‘s annual Taste of Maryland gala – formerly known as the Ag Dinner — will be held Feb 2 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie. During the evening, a farming family that is active in the community and has demonstrated a commitment to agriculture will be inducted into the Governor’s Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Council will also announce the recipients of its agricultural education and promotion grants. More than 700 people are expected to attend, including federal and state lawmakers. Tickets are $100. For more information.<\/a> Or call 301-865-1045.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Food Safety Training Scheduled for Feb. 22\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Workshop for Fruit and Vegetable Producers<\/em><\/p>\n

MDA and the University of Maryland will conduct a food safety training workshop for fruit \"GAPand vegetable producers on Wednesday, February 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Prince Frederick. This one-day workshop is important for small- and large- scale producers who want to understand how to meet current and future U.S. Food and Drug Administration food safety requirements and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification. For more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MD Horse Industry Board Recognizes Maryland Champion Racer during Special Movie Screening<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Event sponsored by Maryland Jockey Club, American Horse Council<\/em><\/p>\n

The Maryland Horse Industry Board<\/a> (MHIB) presented its December Touch of Class Award to Tiffany McClure, the International<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Tiffany<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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From left: Jim Steele, Chairman, MHIB; Ashley Valis from Governor O’Malley’s office; Tiffany McClure, Touch of Class Award Recipient; Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance; Agriculture Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting; and Congressman Dennis Cardoza of California.
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Professional Rodeo Association’s 2010 World Champion Barrel Racer, during a private screening of the new Steven Spielberg movie War Horse<\/em> in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Tiffany, who grew up in Prince George’s County and graduated from Anne Arundel Community College, was presented with the award by Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance, MHIB Chair Jim Steele, Governor Martin O’Malley’s representative Ashley Valis and California Congressman Dennis Cardoza who co-chairs the Congressional Horse Caucus (and lives in Maryland). The screening was sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club and American Horse Council. All MDA employees were invited to attend the screening. For more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MHIB Announces Grant Recipients\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span>
\n15 Grants Awarded to Equestrian Projects<\/em>\"MHIBTherapeutic programs, conservationists, youth clubs, educational and research programs are among the 15 organizations receiving more than $21,000 in grants from the Maryland Horse Industry Board<\/a> (MHIB). The grants help to strengthen the industry by building awareness of and involvement in the horse industry through research, education and promotional activities. MHIB will formally present the checks at Horse World Expo on January 21. For more information<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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MHIB Begins Partnership with Chinese Horse Park <\/strong><\/span>Collaboration Could be Big Boon for Maryland’s Efforts<\/em><\/p>\n
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MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord (fourth from left) meets with BrotherFortune Group<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Maryland Horse Industry Board<\/a> (MHIB) Executive Director Ross Peddicord spent eight days in China last month as the guest of a Beijing company interested in developing an 1,800 acre international horse park. The company\u00a0 — BrotherFortune Group — used the 2006 Feasibility Study<\/a> of the Maryland Horse Park, which has been posted on the MHIB website for the last five years, to begin its own plans to develop the horse park.<\/div>\n

The overall purpose of the trip was to explore partnership possibilities between Maryland and China in both country’s attempts to build state horse parks.<\/span><\/p>\n

While in China, Ross testified before a 20-member council of local government officials in the city of Dongda about the viability of the park as well as how federal, state and municipal governments in the U.S. subsidize the building of public sports complexes and arenas, including horse parks. At the conclusion of the hearing, the local government committed $30 million to the project. Ross is currently working with BrotherFortune to identify a Maryland company that could design the\u00a0 project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Legislative Session Begins; MDA Tracking Several Bills <\/strong><\/span>\"Annapolis<\/p>\n
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Maryland’s 90-Day Legislative Session began this month and MDA follows many bills that may impact the agency and the customers it serves. Almost every day, a synopsis of bills MDA is tracking and a hearing schedule is updated and posted on the MDA website<\/a>. The agency will present several bills for consideration by the 2012 General Assembly. They are:<\/p>\n