{"id":1771,"date":"2010-08-26T13:06:00","date_gmt":"2010-08-26T13:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1771"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:07:42","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:07:42","slug":"august-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2010\/08\/26\/august-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0 Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nAugust 2010\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/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\n
In This Issue<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmers’ Market Week Kickoff<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MAR-DELicious Watermelon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Md. Awarded Innovation Grant<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm-to-School Video Contest<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland State Fair<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emerald Ash Borer<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Nile Virus<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Composting Tips<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vote for Maryland State Parks<\/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

As you can see from this month’s newsletter stories, locally-grown produce is widely available and MDA is promoting it heavily so that it is easy to find and so that farmers have successful markets.\u00a0 But how do you really know if what you are buying was grown locally?\u00a0 Governor Martin O’Malley signed a “truth in advertising” bill into law this spring that authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with interested stakeholders including retailers, restaurateurs and farmers to define the word local as it relates to the sale of agricultural food products.\u00a0 It is expected that consumers will see meaningful use of the terminology in stores next year.<\/p>\n

Maryland schools are also trying to increase their use of locally-grown fruits and vegetables.\u00a0 This year to help engage kids and their families more, the Maryland Farm to School program is launching the first ever YouTube kids’ video contest.\u00a0 Check it out and start thinking about ways to use Homegrown School Lunch Week<\/a> (Sept. 13-17) to learn more about the nutritional benefits of fresh produce and the benefits of having successful nearby farms and farmers.<\/p>\n

This week Governor O’Malley will announce record cover crop enrollment.\u00a0 We are very pleased to report outstanding sign up by farmers and a truly exceptional effort by Soil Conservation District staff across the State to work with farmers on enrollment and to quickly process the necessary paperwork. This is very good news for farmers who can once again report success with and willingness to participate in voluntary environmental programs. And of course, increased use of winter cover crops is good news for water quality and bay restoration.<\/p>\n

To further enhance the effectiveness of cover crops, MDA received a $600,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant that uses cutting edge technology to monitor the growth and nutrient uptake of the winter grains.<\/p>\n

In other news, MDA received a two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants totaling $364,700 that\u00a0 build on previous funding to develop a nutrient trading program in Maryland and use that new technology to assess and inventory farm conservation practices.<\/p>\n

All of these activities, from marketing and selling local products to using technology to\u00a0 planting cover crops, show once again that MDA and farmers are actively seeking and
\napplying the best new science to make their operations as economically and environmentally sustainable as possible.<\/p>\n

It is no secret that this summer has been devastating for some crops due to the lack of rainfall.\u00a0 MDA is preparing a letter to request a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation.<\/p>\n

Finally, don’t forget to check out a local county fair or the Maryland State Fair.\u00a0 They all truly have something fun for the whole family.\u00a0 A listing of the summer-time festivities are included in this newsletter.<\/p>\n

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

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Quick Links<\/strong><\/span><\/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
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\n\"CFAD Farmers’ Market Week Kickoff<\/strong> During Gov. O’Malley “Capital for a Day” Celebration <\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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MDA Secretary Buddy Hance kicked off Maryland Farmers’ Market Week<\/a> (Aug. 1-7) during Governor Martin O’Malley’s “Capital for a Day<\/a>” in Baltimore City on July 29. Governor O’Malley designated this special week to encourage consumers to support Maryland agriculture and visit a farmers’ market in their area.<\/p>\n

As part of Governor O’Malley’s Capital for a Day Celebration, Secretary Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting visited the farmers’ market at Johns Hopkins University<\/a>; ate lunch at Faidley’s<\/a> in Lexington Market, which is known for its award-winning crab cakes, with an editor of Zagat Survey<\/a>, which released its Washington, DC\/Baltimore Restaurant Survey earlier in the week; and toured Real Food Farm<\/a> to learn more about its innovative urban agriculture enterprise.<\/p>\n

Additionally, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon visited the Park Heights Farmers’ Market in Baltimore City<\/a> on August 4 to kick off National Farmers’ Market week.\u00a0 Maryland’s farmers are now offering their freshest products at farmers’ markets across the State.\u00a0 Click here<\/a> for a list of farmers’ markets in Maryland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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L to R: Jessica Southard, Mary Ellen Setting, Parris Travers<\/caption>\n
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\nMAR-DELicious Watermelon Promotion in Annapolis<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Agriculture together with the Mar-Del Watermelon Association<\/a> hosted an event on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Annapolis City Dock to highlight the watermelon industry and to promote increased sales of local watermelons. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mary Ellen Setting, joined by the National Watermelon Queen<\/a> Jessica Southard, the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen<\/a> Parris Travers, and local watermelon farmers, handed out free slices of watermelon and giveaways including recipe cards. August is the prime season for Delmarva watermelons, a healthy summertime treat.\u00a0 Maryland and Delaware are significant growers and suppliers of watermelons, a tradition that goes back well over a century. Click here<\/a> for more information about where to buy local watermelon.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Cover
\nMd. Receives $600,000 Innovation Grant
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)\u00a0 awarded a $600,000 grant to MDA to implement a cutting-edge remote sensing technology that will assess the effectiveness and use of cover crops.<\/p>\n

Cover crops are the most cost-effective way for farmers to prevent soil erosion and take up any excess nutrients before they can reach the Chesapeake Bay.\u00a0 This new GIS-based initiative will enhance the management of our cover crop program<\/p>\n

The project being funded will create a web-based framework to support accurate and timely reporting of cover crop implementation and performance. In addition to a focused effort in Maryland, the project will foster a partnership with watershed management efforts in key priority watersheds in Pennsylvania and Virginia.\u00a0 The partnership will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and support the expansion of sustainable agricultural management practices within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Click here<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Farm Maryland Launches Farm-To-School
\nYouTube Video Contest
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The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched a YouTube video contest asking students what local food means to them<\/a>. In a video lasting no longer than three minutes, students must thoughtfully and creatively answer the question, “What does ‘local food’ mean to you?” The first place winner(s) will receive an Apple iPod Touch, a Maryland State Park Pass, and a school lunchtime visit from MDA Secretary Buddy Hance.<\/p>\n

Both public and private Maryland school students K-12, ages 5-18 are invited to participate. The contest will run until September 8, 2010, ending right before Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, which runs September 13-17, 2010. Click here<\/a> for more details and the contest rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"state Maryland State Fair Aug. 27-Sep. 6<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nThe 2010 Maryland State Fair is right around the corner! Running from August 27-September 6, it will feature thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, daily livestock and horse shows, a wide variety of midway rides and games, thoroughbred horse racing and national entertainment. The Maryland State Fair will celebrate “Agriculture Day at the Fair” on Thursday, Sept. 2.\u00a0 The day will start off with a luncheon and tour of the fairgrounds with Governor Martin O’Malley and Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mary Ellen Setting, by invitation.\u00a0 During the luncheon, Governor O’Malley will present two Smart, Green and Growing Awards for outstanding agricultural conservation efforts. The tour will include a seed spitting contest led by Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Parris Travers in the Farm and Garden Building. For more information, visit www.marylandstatefair.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Update<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Two months after the Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week
\nwas observed, the emerald ash borer task force is still working hard to stop the
\nbeetle. The beetle is highly destructive and known to kill ash trees. This year
\nthe EAB task force has aggressive goals to attain and they are on track to accomplish
\nthem all.\u00a0 <\/span>The group’s plan includes
\ncontinued inventory and delimiting surveys, education and outreach, and various
\nmanagement strategies for EAB in Maryland.
\n<\/span>Currently there are 2,610 purple traps set and monitored statewide and at
\nhigh profile locations, such as campgrounds. The task force is assisting with
\nthe development of new trapping methods and has provided more than 1,000 larvae
\nfor the bio-control effort. One hundred and seventy five trees were sampled
\nfrom the 1,118 acres inventoried. The beetle has not been detected outside of
\nCharles and Prince George’s counties however extensive survey has been and will
\ncontinue in the immediate vicinity around outlier positive traps.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\n\"mosquito\" West Nile Virus Reminders
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MDA detected West Nile virus (WNV) in a Maryland mosquito pool last month. This finding serves as a reminder to all residents to continue protecting themselves against mosquito bites and to conduct backyard mosquito control activities in addition to MDA’s routine surveillance and spray activities. Click here<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n

MDA’s Mosquito Control Section,<\/a> in cooperation with The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene<\/a>, is conducting state-wide surveillance activities to monitor mosquito populations and detect mosquito-borne viruses of public health concern. While a very small percent of mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus, and only 20 percent of those infected will actually become ill, it is still important to take measures to protect from mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and insect repellant, and be sure to protect animals by vaccinating horses, mules, donkeys and ratites (flightless birds) according to veterinarian advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\nFarmers Offer Composting Tips for Backyard Gardeners<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Unfortunately, only a few homeowners take advantage of the many benefits of composting. Luckily, Maryland farmers have jump started a homeowner education campaign known as “Take it from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay<\/a>” to help gardeners by offering composting tips<\/a> and online resources<\/a>.\u00a0 The campaign emphasizes different methods such as recycling leaves, grass clippings, and non-meat kitchen scraps for use in the garden.\u00a0 It also highlights that composting stimulates root development in plants, thus helping the soil to stay in place and is one of the most effective ways to control soil erosion.\u00a0 Additional topics include trying pesticide alternatives<\/a>, using fertilizers wisely<\/a>, conserving water<\/a>, and controlling soil erosion and rainwater runoff<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Odwalla
\nVote for Maryland State Parks through the 2010 Odwalla Plant a Tree Program<\/strong>
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Trees protect water quality, clean our air and
\nprovide wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater runoff and energy costs, and even
\nincrease property values.\u00a0<\/span>And this
\nsummer, each of us has a unique opportunity to show our Maryland Pride and
\nsupport an exciting tree planting effort that will help increase tree cover in our State
\nParks.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It’s free and your support will
\ntake about two minutes. To vote, click here<\/a>. Maryland is currently in 4th place with over
\n9,725<\/span> votes ($9,725<\/span>).
\n<\/span>Your vote and the votes of your family and friends could double or even
\ntriple that! <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\"CarolHolko\" People Profile: Carol Holko<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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With the diversity of the Plant Protection and Weed Management Section<\/a>, from weed control to plant inspections to invasive species infestations, Program Manager Carol Holko learns something new every day.<\/p>\n

Raised on a farm in Michigan, Carol has always had a strong interest in agriculture. While attending Michigan State University<\/a> for a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology, she worked as a field scout. After graduating, she moved to Maryland to work as a technician for the University of Maryland. Soon after, she took a job with MDA in biocontrol<\/a> of agricultural pests and eventually moved up to the position of supervisor of lab services. Carol has now worked at MDA for 28 years, and has been Program Manager for the last five.<\/p>\n

As Carol’s job descriptions have changed, her circle of colleagues has grown. “It is a privilege to work with talented, motivated people to protect plant health in Maryland, and that’s what makes the job worth doing,” she says about the people in the farming, nursery, and MDA communities.\u00a0 It is obvious that Carol enjoys working with different people from her involvement in the plant community – she serves as a member of and maintains the website for the National Plant Board<\/a>, the organization of State Plant Regulatory Officials, and serves as Secretary\/Treasurer of the Eastern Plant Board. Carol also maintains the MDA website for the MDA Plant Industries and Pest Management unit, and is a founding member of the Maryland Invasive Species Council, also maintaining its Website.\u00a0 Carol feels strongly that, “It is important to communicate to the public what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how it affects them.”<\/p>\n

At MDA, the Plant Protection and Weed Management Section oversees many different regulatory and technical assistance programs. However, as budget cuts have plagued virtually every section of every state agency all over the country, the section has had to cut many services and focus on its regulatory functions, making sure that Maryland’s plants stay healthy by watching out for injurious plant and insect pests and by controlling weeds.\u00a0 The section is the state’s expert on plant pest quarantines, and leads the state Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey to watch out for new damaging plant pests. The section also works with USDA and other state departments of agriculture to make sure that plant material going in and out of Maryland is healthy.<\/p>\n

One challenge that Carol and her section have had to face is the emerald ash borer<\/a> infestation, which was discovered in Maryland in 2003 and resurfaced in 2006. At the start of the outbreak, Carol’s program managed field teams from within and out of the state that went out to survey for infested areas and cut down infested trees. This was a very difficult process, as it was a challenge to explain to people why their trees were being removed. However, the section has worked to develop chemical and biocontrol management options so that trees are only being taken down as needed. “It seems like that’s what this job is about, waiting for the next big thing,” says Carol in describing the importance of the section in dealing with outbreaks such as this. If one thing is certain about the Plant Protection and Weed Management Section, it is that it is ever changing.<\/p>\n

In her spare time, Carol enjoys gardening, reading, and arts and crafts.\u00a0 She currently resides in Prince George’s County with her husband of 30 years. Together they have two grown sons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"watermelon Featured Recipe: Watermelon and Feta Bruschetta
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Courtesy of Chad Gauss, City Caf\u00e9. This recipe was one of the 2010 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout selections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/span>
\n1\/2 whole seedless watermelon (green and pale white removed), small dice
\n4 oz red onion, small dice
\n2 cucumbers, peeled and seeds removed, small dice
\n2 oz white balsamic vinegar
\n2 oz fresh mint, stems removed and chiffonade
\n2 heirloom tomatoes, seeds removed, fine dice
\n2 tsp fine sea salt<\/p>\n

Mix all ingredients well and keep cold for at least 1 hour to let the flavors combine.<\/p>\n

Additional Ingredients:<\/span>
\n6 ounces Feta Cheese Crumbled
\n8 ounces Pomegranate Juice reduced over medium heat by half. Chilled.
\nExtra virgin olive oil as need
\n3 large ciabatta loaves from your favorite local bakery<\/p>\n

Slice the ciabatta into 1-inch slices and place on a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil and a light dusting of sea salt. Bake for 7 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F.<\/p>\n

For assembly, place the watermelon mix on top of the warm crusty ciabatta slices. Top with the feta cheese. Drizzle with the pomegranate reduction and extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with fresh mint, preferably out of your own garden!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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