{"id":1765,"date":"2010-11-26T13:02:15","date_gmt":"2010-11-26T13:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1765"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:03:26","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:03:26","slug":"november-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2010\/11\/26\/november-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"November 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Smart,Maryland Department of Agriculture\u00a0News<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nNovember 2010\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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In This Issue<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Governor Message<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Defining “Local”<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aquaculture News<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Local Holidays<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bio-Control Project<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don’t Move Firewood<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Tool Kit<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmers on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Featured Recipe<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/div>\n

\"MDA<\/p>\n

There are many things for which we can be thankful this holiday season. Maryland agriculture and consumers can include some of the healthiest, locally-raised produce and livestock, a bountiful number of products such as cheese, jams, and salsas as well as seafood from our treasured Chesapeake Bay.\u00a0 Currently, MDA is promoting holiday foods and local choose and cut Christmas trees.\u00a0 Visit www.MarylandsBest.net<\/a> to locate local products for your family’s holiday.<\/p>\n

More people, including our school students, are becoming aware of how many different products are available.\u00a0 Recently students participated in a YouTube video contest<\/a> answering the question “Why buy local?”\u00a0 I visited two Carroll County schools and will go to a Montgomery county school next week to present awards to students<\/a> with winning videos.\u00a0 I encourage you to check out all the videos.\u00a0\u00a0 They are very creative and informative.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a new shellfish aquaculture program <\/a>announced by Governor O’Malley and a complementary program<\/a> established by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, we expect to expand the supply of Bay oysters and help restore the Bay. To learn more about establishing an aquaculture business, call MDA’s Aquaculture Development office at 410-841-5820.<\/p>\n

Farmers, such as the Lippys with Sunnyside Farms in Carroll County, are tapping into the sun to power their operations.\u00a0 They, along with 12 other Maryland farmers recently won USDA Rural Development grants<\/a>\u00a0 for energy efficiency.\u00a0 The Lippys are installing a large array of solar panels.\u00a0 Others are using the grants for on-farm wind power and new equipment. Still other farmers are seeking to\u00a0 control power costs and enhance their energy independence through energy audits<\/a> and methane digesters as examples.<\/p>\n

We can also be thankful for all that the agricultural industry has done to help the environment over the decades.\u00a0 The statistics on in Governor O’Malley’s Bay Stat program<\/a> show how much progress Maryland farmers have made as compared to other sectors.\u00a0 There is much more to do and this upcoming work is the subject of the U.S. EPA’s Total Maximum Daily Load requirements and the Watershed Implementation Plans that the Bay states have submitted.\u00a0\u00a0 Maryland’s plan<\/a>, along with that of the District of Columbia, were the only ones accepted by the EPA. The initial public comment period is complete and a final version will be submitted by the end of this month.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley has held strong to the position that Maryland farmers will not be asked to do more than other states in the nation and be left at a competitive disadvantage.<\/p>\n

I will always contend that farmers are some of the best stewards of the land and water.\u00a0 One shining star, Willard Agri-Service<\/a>, a local company with operations in Frederick, Carroll and Kent counties in Maryland received recognition as the national winner of the Environmental Respect Award<\/a>, a global honor for farm supply retailers and distributors for their commitment to environmental stewardship. MDA will participate in a program next week to recognize their achievements. Congratulations.<\/p>\n

On a different note, as a result of local elections, there have been significant changes in elected officials at all levels.\u00a0 I encourage you to take time to get to know your municipal, county, state and federal elected officials.\u00a0 Let them know who you are and how they can help support Maryland agriculture before the next session of the General Assembly begins in January.\u00a0 Many industry groups, task forces and commissions are working hard to create a policy environment that is favorable to moving Maryland agriculture forward.\u00a0 You can help by working with them to educate newly elected officials.<\/p>\n

Best wishes to you and yours over the holiday season.<\/p>\n

Thank you,
\nBuddy Hance<\/a>
\nSecretary<\/a><\/p>\n

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Quick Links<\/strong><\/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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\u00a0A Message from Governor O’<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"Gov.Malley\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Friends,<\/p>\n

Maryland farmers and watermen are part of our State’s great heritage and a large part of the engine that drives our economy. Over the past four years, Lt. Governor Brown, Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and I have traveled the State meeting with farmers and watermen to find the best ways to protect farming jobs and keep family farming profitable, protect contiguous tracts of farmland, and grow smarter as a State. As we look forward to the future, we hope to build upon the progress we have already made to strengthen Maryland’s agricultural economy.<\/p>\n

We have already made great strides in supporting our farmers and watermen. Together, we have encouraged Marylanders to Buy Local, provided cost-share funding for cover crops, permanently preserved over 30,000 acres of farmland, protected our livestock and poultry industries from unfair federal regulations, and created a new shellfish aquaculture initiative to both help struggling watermen and our water quality. These accomplishments and many others help to protect the health of our economy, our families and communities, our environment, and our food supply.<\/p>\n

I want to thank each Marylander from every rural and agricultural sector who has met with us to share their views. We look forward to maintaining our open and honest dialog to advance our shared priorities of protecting and strengthening our middle class, including our family owned businesses and farms.<\/p>\n

Martin O’Malley
\nGovernor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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New Regs to Define “Local” <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Proposed rules regulating the advertising of “local” foods have been drafted by MDA as part of a law signed by Governor O’Malley earlier this year which seeks to bring clarity to consumers as to what constitutes local. The proposal has been submitted for publication in the Maryland Register for public comment.\u00a0 Check MDA’s website<\/a> under “Hot Topics” in mid-December for a link to the Register. <\/span><\/p>\n

The law authorizes the Secretary to regulate the use of the terms “local” or “locally grown” when used to advertise agricultural products.\u00a0 It aims to support Maryland farmers and provide transparency to consumers interested in purchasing local foods by informing Marylanders about their local foods purchases.\u00a0 In recent years, interest in locally produced foods has surged, leading to the rapid growth of farmer’s markets, and the appearance of Maryland products in restaurants and grocery stores.\u00a0 However, there has been little agreement as to the definition of “local” foods.\u00a0 A task force\u00a0 of farmers, retail representatives, consumer advocates, and other interested stakeholders provided input for the proposal.
\nPhoto credit: Edwin Remsberg<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"SoybeanNew Soybean Nutrient Guidance <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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MDA is proposing revised nutrient management guidance related to nutrient applications on soybeans. Farmers using organic sources of nutrients, including manure, for soybean production will be required to apply nutrients based on the crop uptake of phosphorus, or as determined by a soil test and the related recommended rate of phosphorus for the crop. However, application rates can not exceed 50 pounds per acre of plant available nitrogen. This proposed policy helps farmers utilize manure, which is a valuable nutrient source, to meet soybean phosphorus needs, and was developed after discussions with the agriculture community, agronomists, and the University of Maryland scientists.\u00a0 The new policy is officially considered draft until it goes through the state regulatory process.<\/p>\n

For more information, consult an MDA Nutrient Management staff person<\/a>. Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Maryland Aquaculture News <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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Maryland hosted its inaugural aquaculture conference in Annapolis on November 9-10 attended by about 150 watermen, aqua-farmers, government officials, natural resource, economic development and agriculture experts.\u00a0<\/span> The Maryland Aquaculture Conference focused on all aspects of establishing shellfish aquaculture businesses in Maryland. These businesses will provide economic growth and employment to rural areas while aiding the environment. Click here<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n

Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced a new program to provide affordable financing<\/a> to watermen and others interested in launching or expanding commercial shellfish aquaculture operations in Maryland.\u00a0 Of the State’s $10.6 million oyster restoration budget for fiscal year 2011, $2.2 million in subsidized loans will be available for aquaculture projects through a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO).\u00a0 In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services launched a new, complementary funding program<\/a> for shellfish aquafarming businesses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Add Local Flavor at the Holidays <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to support Maryland agriculture through the purchase of farm-fresh products for decorations around the home, unique gifts, and locally-produced food and drinks for every holiday meal.\u00a0 Click <\/span>here<\/a> to\u00a0find out about the seasonal bounty offered by Maryland’s farms including\u00a0lists of farmers’ markets, Maryland wineries, local seafood retailers, turkey growers, and choose-and-cut or retail operations selling Maryland-grown Christmas trees.\u00a0The Maryland Christmas Tree Association has also published a <\/span>directory of Choose & Cut Farms<\/a>, which lists dozens of locations across Maryland where families can harvest their own Christmas trees.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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There are many ways to buy locally and support Maryland’s farmers all year long.\u00a0 A few farmers’ markets across the State are open through the month of December and continue to offer fresh, seasonal, locally-grown produce such as apples, pears, persimmons, greens, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash, and beets.\u00a0 Several markets also offer a variety of farm-made products like baked goods, honey, jams, jellies, syrups, cider, and an assortment of holiday gift items.\u00a0 Consumers can also purchase a variety of meats and cheeses directly from the farms where they were produced.\u00a0 One of Maryland’s <\/span>more than 400 different wines<\/a>, along with fresh seafood from the Bay, will round out any holiday meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"lucie Donation to Maryland’s Best from Dishing Up Maryland<\/em> Cookbook <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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Lucie Snodgrass, author of Dishing Up Maryland<\/a>, a cookbook featuring local agricultural products and the growers who raise them, recently made a generous donation to the Maryland’s Best program.\u00a0 The contribution is a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book and will be used to promote the sale of Maryland products through the Maryland’s Best website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Lucie Snodgrass absolutely cares about this state’s farmers, as witnessed in her wonderful book. This donation to the Maryland’s Best program will help us promote Maryland-grown agricultural products and our farmers. We thank her,” said MDA Chief of Marketing Mark Powell.\u00a0 Photo L-R: Dep. Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, Lucie Snodgrass, Mark Powell<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Bio-control Project Shows Promise for Hemlock Trees<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nMDA forest health inspectors and federal entomologists have been releasing tiny “lady bug” beetles in attempt to save Maryland’s hemlock forests with exciting success.\u00a0 These insects, about the size of a poppy seed, are natural predators of the hemlock woolly adelgid, a serious exotic, invasive pest of hemlock trees. The beetles were released in an effort to control the spread of the destructive insect.<\/p>\n

MDA has found these beneficial insect populations growing rapidly and thriving where they were released. This is encouraging news in the effort to stop the spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid and the damage it causes to Maryland’s important hemlock trees and associated ecosystems. Together with state, federal and academic partners we are finding innovative ways to protect the environment for generations to come. Click here<\/a> for more details.\u00a0 Photo credit: Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Firewood Burn it Where you Buy it <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nWith the onset of cooler autumn weather, many Maryland residents are turning on their furnaces and stocking up on wood to heat their homes. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Section<\/a> Anyone urges consumers to use caution when making purchases of firewood this heating season. <\/span>Anyone buying or selling wood should be familiar with regulations governing the measurement of firewood so that consumers get what they pay for. Maryland regulations require that firewood sold in the State only be sold by the cord, or fractional parts of a cord. A stacked cord of wood should be 4′ x 4′ x 8′.\u00a0 Any other term, such as truckload, rack, face cord, or pile, is illegal. If you don’t think you got the amount you purchased, call MDA’s Weights and Measures Office at 410-841-5790, or 1-800-492-5590.<\/p>\n

Quarantines are in effect<\/a>. This year, MDA reminds county residents and sellers of firewood that it is illegal to transport firewood out of Prince George’s and Charles counties to homes, hunting or camping locations in other counties.\u00a0 Instead, MDA urges residents and visitors to buy firewood where it will be burned to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer<\/a> beetle, which has the potential to devastate our forests and neighborhood shade trees if it spreads.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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“Changing Face of Md Ag” Tool Kit Open for Comment <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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The Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (GICA<\/a>) has developed a draft “tool kit” to help Maryland counties support\u00a0 local farmers.\u00a0 The tool kit, “Understanding and Responding to the Changing Face of Maryland Agriculture: A Resource for Local Communities,” aims to inform communities and local officials about the current context within which their farmers operate.\u00a0 The document outlines the most pressing concerns of farmers, as voiced in a 2010 survey presented at the Governor’s Agriculture Forum, held earlier this year, and lays out the importance of the industry to Maryland.\u00a0 It also provides contacts and potential policies that can help facilitate both profitable agriculture and a high quality of life.\u00a0 Click here<\/a> to view the draft document.<\/p>\n

GICA is a public-private and interagency workgroup that is ideal for the task, as it seeks to promote better collaboration across state agencies and with citizens in an effort to support Maryland’s agricultural sector.\u00a0 As a result, the toolkit was able to gain broad-based input from a wide variety of contributors, to present a comprehensive look at the industry. GICA members will review the draft and welcome public comments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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“Like Us” – Young Farmers on Facebook <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nAttention Facebook users – Maryland Young Farmers Advisory Board<\/a> is now online!\u00a0 The Board aims to be a resource and mentor for other young and beginning farmers, be positive role models for the agricultural image and management, and be an influence to encourage the younger generation to become involved and interested in agriculture and agriculture leadership.\u00a0 <\/span>The Board\u00a0 promotes agriculture as a positive contributor to Maryland’s economy, environment, and landscape, and makes recommendations related to economic development and policy issues.\u00a0 For more information on the Maryland Young Farmers Advisory Board, click here<\/a> or search MD Young Farmers on Facebook under “groups”.<\/p>\n

Once you are on the MD Young Farmers Facebook page, please click the “like” button to support this group, and don’t forget to recommend us to your friends!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Deanna People Profile: Deanna Baldwin <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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For more than three decades, Deanna Baldwin has been working to protect Maryland consumers and the food we eat. She started as an agricultural inspector in 1978 and currently manages the Food Quality Assurance Program<\/a>.\u00a0 Providing consumers with high quality agricultural food products, while maintaining fair business practices and marketing the agricultural industry, are the main goals of the Food Quality Assurance Office. Other tasks of the program include promoting good agricultural practices and overseeing the Organic Certification Program<\/a>, Maryland Egg Law enforcement<\/a>, the Grain Dealers Licensing Law<\/a>, and food safety audits for eggs and produce.\u00a0 Her favorite part of the job is, “working in the field with the farmers and egg producers.”<\/p>\n

Over the years, her job has changed slightly due to the increased consumer demand for organic products.\u00a0 When Ms. Baldwin started in this field, there was no Organic Certification Program, and the eggs were considered safe only if the shell was clean.\u00a0 In the late 1980s it was discovered that salmonella could occur inside the egg.\u00a0 This discovery led to new production practices to minimize the risk of salmonella enteritidis contaminating the egg. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ms. Baldwin’s experiences within this field include inspecting shell eggs for quality, labeling, condition and handling at the packer, wholesale, and retail levels, inspecting egg production facilities for compliance with the egg quality assurance program requirements, and conducting inspections under the authority of the federal Egg Products Inspection Act.<\/p>\n

Ms. Baldwin attended the University of Maryland, College Park, and majored in Agronomy.\u00a0 She has one brother, and grew up on a fruit and vegetable farm, which ran its own road-side produce stand in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

Ms. Baldwin is also an active member of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, Association of American Warehouse Control officials, and the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Inspection and Standardization Agencies.\u00a0 In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her daughter at college.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"Sweet Featured Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecan Topping <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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Courtesy of Lucie Snodgrass, author of\u00a0 <\/span>Dishing Up Maryland<\/a>. Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg<\/em>.<\/p>\n

6-8 large sweet potatoes
\n1 cup (2 sticks) butter
\n3\/4 cup milk, heated
\n1 Tbsp vanilla
\n1\/2 tsp salt
\n2 cups pecan halves
\n1 cup brown sugar
\n1\/2 cup all-purpose flour<\/p>\n

1. Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F<\/span>.\u00a0 Prick the sweet potatoes and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 1 hour or until soft. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350\u00b0F<\/span>.<\/p>\n

2. Cut the sweet potatoes open, scoop out all the flesh, and spoon it into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 stick of the butter, the warm milk, vanilla and salt. Beat the sweet potato mixture until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Butter a large baking dish and spoon the sweet potato mixture into it. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.<\/p>\n

3. While the casserole is baking, make the topping: Melt the remaining 1 stick of butter in the microwave and let it cool for 5 minutes. Mix the pecans, brown sugar and flour together with the melted butter.<\/p>\n

4. Remove the casserole from the oven and uncover it. Spoon the topping over the casserole and return it to the oven, uncovered. Bake 15 minutes longer. Serve immediately.<\/p>\n

Serves 12.<\/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