{"id":1753,"date":"2011-05-26T12:54:13","date_gmt":"2011-05-26T12:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1753"},"modified":"2012-10-03T12:55:08","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T12:55:08","slug":"may-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2011\/05\/26\/may-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2011"},"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>\nMay 2011\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
Gov. Celebrates Md Horses<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MDA Protecting State Hemlock<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fertilizer Changes Lauded<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Toolkit Released<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmers Market Directory<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland’s Best Recipes <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Article Headline<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marylander Named Regional Farm Mom<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Child Nutrition Program<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile: Bonnie Braun<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asparagus Salad Recipe<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/div>\n

\"MDA<\/p>\n

June is National Dairy Month, which celebrates the value of milk and dairy products as part of the well-balanced diets of all Americans, as well as the importance of milk production the agricultural industry. Milk, and other dairy products, is the third largest agricultural commodity in Maryland, accounting for $144 million in farm receipts in 2009.<\/p>\n

Maryland dairies operate on a quarter million acres of open productive land. In lieu of traditional processing, many farms are diversifying and expanding into on-farm dairy processing thanks to market demand for locally raised and locally made products, such as bottled milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt.\u00a0 In Maryland, we now have eight farms that are licensed to process milk on-farm and 12 more have applied for permits to process milk.\u00a0 Four farms are participating in the raw milk cheese pilot study and one –<\/p>\n

Chapel’s Country Creamery<\/a><\/p>\n

in Easton – is already making cheese.<\/p>\n

We mentioned last month that wheat acreage in Maryland increased last fall to levels not seen in more than 60 years, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.\u00a0 The good news for those farmers is that Mother Nature has been cooperating, and we are looking at an excellent wheat crop this year.<\/p>\n

I encourage all Maryland farmers to consider planting cover crops this year.\u00a0 Farmers can sign up between June 21- July 15 at their local soil conservation district office.\u00a0 I thank our farmers who made last year’s 400,000 acre cover crop planting the largest in the program’s history and will go a long way toward helping Maryland meet tough new pollution caps for the Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>\n

We will continue to do all we can to promote our local agricultural products.\u00a0 MDA’s Marketing Office has launched a successful program, MARYLAND’S PICK, with Whole Food this month.\u00a0 The $25 weekly subscription plan offers shoppers a weekly bag of fresh produce filled with a local array of seasonal food from different Maryland farms each week.\u00a0 Consumer interest has been so great that they have already sold out for this year!<\/p>\n

While we had a wet spring, strawberries, asparagus, bedding plants and other early crops are now in full swing.\u00a0 Be sure to get out to your local farmers market, roadside stand, or favorite restaurant and support your Maryland farmers by buying and eating local!<\/p>\n

Warm Regards,<\/p>\n

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

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

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Governor Celebrates Preakness & Maryland Horses<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"Governor<\/p>\n

Governor Martin O’Malley may be too tall to be a jockey but that didn’t stop him from venturing out to Fair Hill Training Center<\/a> in Cecil County and climbing a top a retired thoroughbred racer to showcase Maryland’s horse racing industry and celebrate the State’s best-known horse event, The Preakness Stakes,<\/a> which was held for the 136th time on May 21.<\/p>\n

Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting joined the Governor in a tour of the Fair Hill Facility – just not on horseback.<\/p>\n

Animal Kingdom — the spectacular come-from-behind winner of the Kentucky Derby — trained at Fair Hill with world-renowned trainer Graham Motion. All eyes were on Animal Kingdom and Fair Hill again during the Preakness — another spectacular race that brought the feisty three-year old from a second-to-last place start to an exciting second place finish. (Fans of Animal Kingdom may get another chance to see the three-year-old run at the Belmont Stakes in New York in June.)<\/p>\n

“Marylanders know that horse racing in our state is so much bigger and more valuable than just the one race,” said Governor O’Malley. “Some 28,000 jobs and more than 587,000 acres of farmland associated with the equine sector depend upon the stability and growth of the industry, and we’re committed to ensuring its thriving future for years to come.”<\/p>\n

The O’Malley-Brown Administration has worked hard to keep the horse industry both viable and vibrant in Maryland.\u00a0 For more, information<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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MDA Working to Protect State’s Hemlock from Devastating Pest\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)<\/a> is an exotic bug the size of dot (.) that can destroy very big Hemlock trees in Maryland’s old growth forests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Swallow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Workers survey Hemlock trees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

To combat this threat, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mary Ellen Setting joined forest health inspectors from state and federal agencies this month to inject thousands of hemlocks at Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County with soil and tree insecticide. Every hemlock tree in the park will be treated in an effort to protect them from the pest’s potentially devastating impact. Officials are treating the old growth area and entrance to the park first and then treating the remaining hemlocks – a process that could take up to five years. In May alone, more than 3,300 trees have already been treated. The injection suppression technique complements a biocontrol release of predator insects currently underway.<\/p>\n

Swallow Falls has the largest population of hemlock trees in Maryland and is the largest virgin hemlock stand in the state — more than 300 years old. The 478-acre park contains 37 acres of virgin old growth hemlock forest, which means it has never been cut or logged by anyone. For more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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New Fertilizer Bill Lauded for Positive Impact on Bay<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"Boat<\/p>\n

Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance<\/a> joined the<\/span><\/p>\n

Chesapeake Bay Commission <\/span><\/a>(CBC) this month to<\/p>\n

highlight and applaud the nutrient reductions that will result from the Fertilizer Use Act of 2011<\/a> in an event held moments before Governor Martin O’Malley signed the bill into law.<\/p>\n

In Maryland, there are an estimated 1.1 million acres of turf grass. Of that, about 937,000 acres are associated with private residences, rather than golf courses and other large plots.<\/p>\n

The Fertilizer Use Act limits the nutrient content in bags of fertilizer used by homeowners, limits nutrient amounts used by professional applicators, requires training for professional applicators including golf course applicators, limits dates of application, and establishes a no-application zone next to water to protect from runoff.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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New Toolkit Highlights Changing Needs of Agriculture\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"GICA<\/a>
\nThe Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (GICA) this month released a toolkit designed to help Marylanders understand farming and how they can support it. Understanding and Responding to the Changing Needs of Maryland Agriculture: A Toolkit for Local Communities <\/a><\/em>aims to provide local communities and officials with a better understanding of the current state of Maryland agriculture. The toolkit suggests tools, methods and resources that will help farmers, their neighbors and local officials better work together towards creating communities that support both profitable agricultural production and a high quality of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

GICA <\/a>is a public-private and interagency workgroup that promotes better collaboration and cohesion across state agencies and with citizens in an effort to support Maryland’s agricultural sector.\u00a0 As a result, the toolkit includes broad-based input from a wide variety of contributors, to present a comprehensive look at the industry. For more information about the toolkit.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Farmers New Farmers Market Directory Available <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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MDA’s 2011 Maryland Farmers’ Market Directory,<\/a> which lists locations and hours of each market, is now available.\u00a0 This year, some 120 markets will be open with at least one in every county and Baltimore City. Many of the farmers’ markets in the state are already open and offering early season produce and plants such as kale, salad greens, spinach, asparagus, strawberries, hanging flower baskets, bedding plants and garden seedlings. Farmers’ market locations, hours, and producer\/vendor and product listings are also available on the Maryland’s Best website<\/a>. Click here<\/a> to read the press release. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Governor Searching for Maryland’s Best Recipes\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"Maryland's<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Governor Martin O’Malley invites teams made up of a chef and at least one farmer, waterman, or producer to submit original recipes using local ingredients for Maryland’s Fourth Annual “Buy Local Cookout,” to be held at Government House in Annapolis on Thursday, July 21. The cookout is the signature kick-off event for the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 23 – 31) during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week. Entries are due June 1. For more information and to submit an entry<\/a>. Bon app\u00e9tit! \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Emerald Emerald Ash Borer Week <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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As we prepare to kick off the unofficial start of summer this month, Maryland is highlighting Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week (May 22-28). The effort aims to inform residents about ways to help stop the spread of the emerald ash borer, a destructive pest that kills ash trees.\u00a0 Because the insect can be transported through firewood, the campaign encourages campers, anglers, scouts, and other outdoor enthusiasts to leave firewood at home, buy it at their destination and burn it completely.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to learn more about the emerald ash borer and ways to help stop its spread. Marylanders can call the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information center toll-free at 800-342-2507 or the MDA at 410-841-5920 to report dying ash trees or for help identifying a possible emerald ash borer. Anyone can report suspect EAB through the Maryland Home and Garden Information Center’s online reporting form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Upper Shore Woman Named Regional Winner of America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jennie Schmidt of Sudlersville in Queen Anne’s County has been selected the northeast regional winner of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest. Schmidt was selected by judges from Monsanto and American Agri-Women in recognition of the contributions she makes to her family, farm community and the agricultural industry.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jennie<\/span><\/p>\n

Schmidt Farms, Inc. is a 2,000-acre, third-generation family farm with diversified crops, including corn, feed- and food-grade soybeans, wheat, barley, hay, tomatoes, green beans and wine grapes. In addition, Jennie and her family began a custom vineyard management business in 2009, providing a wide range of services to grape producers and wineries in the region. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Farmers Help Child Nutrition Programs\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"Child<\/p>\n

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

Many USDA Child Nutrition programs run year round and your opportunity to partner doesn’t end when school lets out. <\/span>MDA is working with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to facilitate better communication between Maryland farmers and food service suppliers for the child nutrition programs.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

USDA just announced the final rule which <\/span>will allow schools and other providers to give preference to unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products as they purchase food for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, and Summer Food Service programs. To learn more, <\/span>contact Karen Fedor at 410-841-5773 or <\/span>fedorkm@mda.state.md.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People Profile: Bonnie Braun<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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\"Bonnie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chair, Rural Maryland Council<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Bonnie Braun grew up on a farm in rural Missouri and will someday retire to one in rural Pennsylvania. In between, however, she has established herself not only as a scholar and popular professor at the University of Maryland at College Park, but as a widely regarded and committed researcher and advocate on behalf of rural communities and families. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the<\/p>\n

Rural Maryland Council <\/a>(RMC), an independent agency housed in the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Dr. Braun has served on the RMC Board for 11 years.<\/p>\n

“The Rural Maryland Council is the only agency in state government that focuses exclusively on the needs of rural areas,” she said. “We are a very small agency so we work very hard to target our time and resources to the most pressing and unaddressed issues faced by rural areas. During the last few years, we have focused on ways to address the health care work force shortages that are putting our rural communities and residents, including farmers, at risk.”<\/p>\n

Three years ago, Dr. Braun – who earned her Ph.D. in Family Consumer Sciences Education at the University of Missouri – was named the first Endowed Chair and Director of the Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy<\/a> at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, the only academic center of its kind in the nation. After her appointment, one of her top priorities was to work with the RMC to ensure rural communities and families were included in all of the Center’s start-up activities and long-term strategic planning. A brochure<\/a> that the Center and the Council developed recently received a national award from the Center for Plain Language.<\/p>\n

“The tie between health and agriculture seems so obvious to some of us,” she said. “For others, it’s a tie that needs to be explained in a way so that people can get it and use it.\u00a0 Professionals in the fields of health and agriculture are all striving to produce goods and services that contribute to health and well-being.\u00a0 Part of my job is to help people make that connection.”<\/p>\n

Through her work with rural families, Dr. Braun recognized a need for, and developed the Council’s successful Rural Family’s program – an initiative that trains rural-serving nonprofit organizations to help low-income rural families learn to save and manage their money and become more economically stable. Because of Dr. Braun’s reputation and connections, she garnered support for the program from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and its Rural Family Economic Success initiative. The Foundation has funded the Council’s program for six years. In that time, 23 nonprofits have received $442,000 in Casey-funded grants and training.<\/p>\n

Dr. Braun has written and lectured extensively across the country. She has held appointments at Oklahoma State University, Virginia Tech University and the University of Missouri. She served as Interim Deputy Administrator of Extension at USDA for one year and as director of the evaluation program of Maryland’s Food Stamp Nutrition Education for eight years. She continues to serve as a faculty member in the UM Department of Family Science and Specialist with the University of Maryland Extension.<\/p>\n

Dr. Braun and her husband (and one-time 4-H competitor), have two grown children and two grandchildren. They live in Laurel, but spend their weekends and free time on their farm in Pennsylvania. There, they are preserving the heritage of rural living, producing food and introducing the next generation to the work and wonder of the land.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Featured Recipe: Asparagus Salad with Spring Onions and Orange-Lemon Dressing <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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Recipe courtesy of Lucie Snodgrass, author of Dishing Up Maryland<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Fresh<\/p>\n

2 pounds asparagus, trimmed<\/p>\n

2 oranges<\/p>\n

2 tablespoons lemon juice<\/p>\n

2 spring onions, finely chopped<\/p>\n

2 shallots, peeled and minced<\/p>\n

\u00bc cup olive oil<\/p>\n

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar<\/p>\n

\u00bd teaspoon salt<\/p>\n

\u00bc teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<\/p>\n

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Steam the asparagus in a steamer over the boiling water for 5 minutes, and then remove immediately and plunge the asparagus into a bowl of ice water. Drain the asparagus, pat dry, transfer to a serving dish, and refrigerate.<\/p>\n

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Use a zester to remove the zest from the oranges in long, thin strips. Boil the zest for 2 minutes, and then drain it and plunge it into cold water. Drain the zest, and then plunge into cold water again. Finally, drain the zest and pat dry. This process will remove much of the bitterness.<\/p>\n

Juice the zested oranges, Combine \u00bd cup orange juice with the lemon juice, onions, shallots, and orange zest. Whisk in the olive oil and vinegar; season with the salt and pepper. Let the dressing stand for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle<\/p>\n

Remove the asparagus from the refrigerator and pour the dressing over the dish. Serve immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Photo: Courtesy, Edwin Remsberg<\/em><\/span><\/p>\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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