{"id":1773,"date":"2010-07-26T13:07:47","date_gmt":"2010-07-26T13:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1773"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:08:48","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:08:48","slug":"july-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2010\/07\/26\/july-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"July 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>\nJuly 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
Buy Local Challenge<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USDA Visits Md. Food Center<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Farm Stewardship Program<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water Conservation Tips<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland is for Crabs!<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Governor’s Ag Hall of Fame<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MARBIDCO Grants <\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emerald Ash Borer Update<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Envirothon Winners<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm to School Video Contest<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
National Oyster Cookoff<\/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
 <\/p>\n
\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/div>\n

\"MDA
\nFor most of Maryland’s farmers, this summer has been painfully dry. Many have lost their corn crops entirely, others are pumping water for irrigation, taking more off the bottom line. Governor O’Malley and I, along with our federal Farm Service Agency partners, are keeping a close eye on the situation so that we are ready to request a disaster designation should conditions warrant.\u00a0 In the meanwhile, we encourage farmers to be in touch with their crop insurance agent so they get indemnities that are due; make use of MDA’s free grain and forage testing for drought-related toxins; and become familiar with FSA programs that may be of use.<\/p>\n

I want to thank those farmers who signed up for the cover crop program.\u00a0 Because
\nof the dry weather, Maryland’s corn crop will likely be ready early,
\nwhich will present a great opportunity for farmers to participate in the
\ncover crop program and plant early. Farmers may be able to plant cover crops by October 1 to take
\nup potential excess nutrients remaining in the soil, reduce soil
\nerosion, protect water quality and receive the maximum incentives
\noffered through the program. The deadline for enrolling in the program was July 15 and we are still tallying the acres enrolled.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

This is Buy Local Challenge Week in Maryland (July 17-25).\u00a0 Governor O’Malley has asked all Marylanders to buy and eat at least one locally raised, made or harvested product each day this week at home or at a restaurant.\u00a0 By doing so, we hope people will become more familiar with local and seasonal foods and will incorporate items all year long.\u00a0 This is a win-win prospect for everyone.\u00a0 Farmers gain more income, consumers get the freshest and most nutritious food and get to know their local farmers, and finally we reduce the environmental and financial costs associated with long distance transportation of food.\u00a0 When farmers are profitable, our beautiful, productive farmland stays open. So, be sure to ask for and buy local products this week and all year.<\/p>\n

Another great way to learn more about agriculture is to visit a local fair.\u00a0 There are literally over a hundred agricultural fairs and shows<\/a> over the summer all across the state.\u00a0 There is something for everyone from amusement rides to milking cows and from 4-H competitions to horse races.<\/p>\n

Next up is Maryland Farmers’ Market Week in early August and Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week in September. It is an exciting time for agriculture. \u00a0 Stay tuned and let us know what’s happening in your part of the world with agriculture and local food. Together we are moving toward a smart, green and growing future.<\/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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Governor O’Malley with Tony Geraci, Baltimore City’s Great Kids Farm.<\/caption>\n
\"Gov.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nGovernor O’Malley Hosts Buy Local Cookout to Highlight Maryland Products<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nGovernor Martin O’Malley and First Lady Katie O’Malley, joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, hosted the third annual “Buy Local” cookout and officially kicked-off Maryland’s “Buy Local Challenge<\/a>” week, which encourages Marylanders to incorporate at least one locally-grown, produced or harvested product into their meals each day.<\/p>\n

They also announced Christine Bergmark as the recipient of this year’s
\nSmart Green and Growing<\/a> Buy Local Agricultural Challenge Award. Dr.
\nBergmark is director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development
\nCommission and the initiator of the Buy Local Challenge<\/a> Week four years
\nago.<\/p>\n

For this year’s cookout, 17 teams of local producers and chefs were selected to showcase the diversity of local products available in Maryland for farmers; food buyers from groceries, restaurants and institutions; chefs;\u00a0 and “buy local” advocates on the front lawn of the Government House in Annapolis.\u00a0 The recipes<\/a> were submitted by chef\/producer teams and selected for their creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients.\u00a0 Government House chefs also prepared a few favorites recipes. Clickhere<\/a> for more details.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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L to R: Charles Cawley, Kathleen Merrigan, Buddy Hance, Jack Tarburton<\/caption>\n
\"USDA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nUSDA Deputy Secretary Visits Eastern Shore Food Center
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited Shore Gourmet Food Business Center<\/a> in Easton, Maryland on July 15. Merrigan was joined by MDA Secretary Buddy Hance, Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Charles Cawley, Maryland and Delaware Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton.\u00a0 The group also visited Councell Farms, a family owned farm market near Easton.<\/p>\n

Shore Gourmet received $140,000 in USDA funding\u00a0 to help with start-up and operational costs, including marketing materials, product development and other activities to raise local food awareness and promote agriculture on Maryland’s Eastern Shore region. Click here<\/a> for more details.\u00a0 This visit is also part of USDA’s ‘Know
\nYour Farmer, Know Your Food<\/a>‘ initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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L to R: Steve Ernst, Buddy Hance, J.D. Rinehart<\/caption>\n
\"Conservation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

New Farm Stewardship Certification Program Launched<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Members of\u00a0 the agricultural and environmental communities joined forces to launch the new Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program<\/a> (FSCAP) on July 16 and announce the first two farmers certified in the program. FSCAP recognizes farmers who are good stewards of their natural resources and are using appropriate best management practices to protect the Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>\n

At the event led by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD), farmers Carlton and Steve Ernst and John and J. D Rinehart were recognized as the first two farms in Maryland to become certified under the new program.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the presentation were project sponsors Jon Hall, State Conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; Valerie Connelly, Director of Governmental Relations with Maryland Farm Bureau; Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF); Buddy Hance, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture; and Don Spickler representing the local Washington County Soil Conservation District and MASCD.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Farmers Offer Water Conservation Tips for Backyard Gardeners<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
As summer is going by and the rainfall is scarce, backyard gardens are in dire need of water. Maryland farmers have initiated a homeowner education campaign,\u00a0 “Take it from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay”<\/a> to help gardeners by offering water conservation tips<\/a> and online resources<\/a>.\u00a0 The campaign highlights different methods to reduce water use and be more effective in sustaining plants and trees, as well as plants and trees that naturally do not need as much water. Additional topics include trying pesticide alternatives<\/a>, using fertilizers wisely<\/a>, composting<\/a>, and controlling soil erosion and rainwater runoff<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Bushel
\nMaryland is for Crabs!<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
For the second year in a row, there is an abundance of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay! Governor O’Malley announced<\/a> that Marylanders should go out and enjoy Maryland crabs, one of the hallmarks of Maryland culture. Buying Maryland crabs stimulates the economy, and Maryland crabs are healthier, more environmentally friendly and taste better than other options. Last year, Chesapeake Bay watermen harvested more crabs than in seven of the past 10 years, confirming the long-held belief that a healthy harvesting industry can coexist with regulations that protect the long term health of the blue crab population. This will be a wonderful year for Maryland crabs and crab meat!\u00a0 Start planning a crab feast now. Shop around for the best deals and plan for a lot of fun with the best tasting crabs and crab meat.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Call for Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominees<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Governor Martin O’Malley invites nominations for the 2010 Agriculture Hall of Fame. The award is for farmers who have dedicated their lives to farming and agriculture, and is open to any farmer or farm family whose income is derived principally from farming. Nomination forms are available from MDA or local University of Maryland Extension offices, and are due to MDA by August 25, 2010. For more information, please visit the official announcement<\/a> for the call for nominees.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"MARBIDCO
\nMARBIDCO to Offer Maryland Value Added Producer Grants<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nThe Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has just announced that it will be offering competitive value added producer grants of up to $20,000 to agricultural producers and other rural businesses. These grants are intended to encourage Maryland producers to expand or diversify their business operations by installing capital assets to make a “value added” product. Eligible applicants must be a crop or livestock producer or processor, agricultural cooperative, seafood processor, or timber products processor, and have been in business for a minimum of two years. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The submission deadline for applicants seeking to receive Maryland Value Added Producer Grants for Capital Assets from MARBIDCO is Monday, August, 16, 2010. Please visit the MARBIDCO website<\/a> for more information and to download the MVAPG application form.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Fresh
\nMaryland Ag Marketing Projects Awarded USDA Grants<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

Maryland was awarded $121,445 in matching federal grants to\u00a0 support two agricultural market research and demonstration projects. The first USDA grant awarded to Maryland is $20,825 to MDA, in cooperation with the University of Maryland and Maryland farmers’ market managers, to assess the economic impact of Maryland farmers’ markets, identify ways to expand the customer base and increase sales at farmers’ markets, and explore the feasibility of forming a statewide farmers’ market association.<\/p>\n

The second grant of $100,620 will enable the University of Maryland School of Nursing, in cooperation with MDA, Future Harvest\/Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association, and others, to encourage increased use of locally-produced sustainable protein foods such as beef, pork, poultry, dairy, eggs, and seafood, in Maryland health care facilities and institutions. Click here<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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L to R: Royden Powell, MDA; Reed Portney; Eric Kayzak; Claudia Lewis, advisor; Kelly Habicht; Rebecca Baldwin; Ranson Leland Baldwin, VII; Frank Dawson, DNR; Paul Kazyak, advisor<\/caption>\n
\"Envirothon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2010 Envirothon Winners
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A five-member team of high school students from Venturing Crew 202 of Carroll County is the winner of the 20th annual Maryland Envirothon<\/a>-an outdoor natural resources competition that challenges students to identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys and solve other complex natural resource issues.\u00a0 More than 100 challengers from 19 counties across Maryland and Baltimore City took part in this year’s competition.\u00a0 The event was held June 24-25 at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center in Prince George’s County.<\/p>\n

While Venturing Crew 202 of Carroll County team took top honors, they were followed by teams from Montgomery County, Harford County, St. Mary’s County, and Allegany County.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"F2S Farm-to-School Video Contest<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

MDA is sponsoring a YouTube video contest for Maryland school children in order to help raise awareness about the Jane Lawton Maryland Farm-to-School Program and to actively engage students in thinking about where their food comes from. The contest asks the question, “In terms of food, what does local mean to you?”<\/p>\n

As students are routinely connected to each other through websites like YouTube and Facebook, MDA hopes to introduce kids to a new topic via a familiar domain. The contest begins July 12, 2010 and will end September 8, 2010, just in time for the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, which takes place September 13-17, 2010. The winning video will be broadcasted by the MDA and the winning students will receive an iPod Touch, a Maryland State Park Pass, and a school lunch visit from Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, Buddy Hance. For more information about the contest visit the MDA Farm-to-School website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Maryland Farm-to-School is now on Facebook! Become a fan to follow news and developments regarding the program as well as to keep up with local events and activities happening around the state. Comments and suggestions are encouraged!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Md.
\nNational Oyster Cook-off Call for Contestants<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Do you have a fabulous oyster recipe?\u00a0 Do you receive rave reviews whenever you serve it?\u00a0 If so, you may be awarded $1,300 and a silver tray by entering your best original oyster recipe in the 31st Annual National Oyster Cook-off.\u00a0 Be sure to enter your original recipe by Aug. 22, 2010.\u00a0 You may be selected as one of nine contestants to compete at the cook-off on Sat., Oct. 16th in Leonardtown, Maryland. To enter, see the contest rules at www.marylandseafood.org<\/a> or request a hard copy by calling 410-841-5820. Please visit the official announcement<\/a> for more information.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n\"Lois People Profile: Lois Capshaw
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\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

Working with seeds requires time, concentration, attention to detail, and loads of patience. But this is all just part of the job description for Lois Capshaw, who has worked in MDA’s Turf and Seed Section<\/a> for 30 years.<\/p>\n

Lois began her work at MDA in 1975, when the department was still located in College Park. After a brief stint in the Mosquito Control Section, Lois left to work in the private sector for a few years but she didn’t stay away from MDA for long.\u00a0 She returned to the Turf and Seed Section as a seed analyst in 1980.<\/p>\n

Lois was drawn to this field because of how it blends together different sciences, such as agronomy and botany, and is because it’s very unique. “You’ll find one lab per state, if you’re lucky,” she says about the extensive laboratory facilities that are required to properly test seeds. Lois is extremely familiar with the lab facilities in her section; in 1983, when MDA moved from College Park to its current Wayne A. Cawley, Jr. Building<\/a> headquarters in Annapolis, Lois was instrumental in moving the Turf and Seed Section and helped with the design of the current lab set-up. At one time, the lab here was the biggest on the East Coast.<\/p>\n

Through the years, Lois’s role in Turf and Seed has progressed from seed analyst to a supervising analyst to laboratory manager, and finally to program manager. Even though her main job now is to manage the section and assist customers, she will still occasionally sit at her old seed-analyzing desk to help out when things are busy. Lois describes seed as a “living, respiring organism,” and knows just how much patience and dedication is required to properly grow and store the seeds being tested.<\/p>\n

The Turf and Seed Section has two main functions: providing a service to farmers and acting as a regulatory agency. Farmers will send in samples of their seeds for testing to make sure that they meet standards, as well as unknown seeds for identification. The regulatory function comes into play when department inspectors take random samples of seed that is on the market and the laboratory staff tests it to make sure that it is properly labeled.<\/p>\n

All eligible analysts in the Turf and Seed Section, including Lois, are Certified Seed Analysts in purity and germination. The several hundred certified analysts in the country make up the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), which is the North American organization that votes on rules for testing seed. In the 1990s, Lois was on the executive board and edited the newsletter. “You either love it, or you hate it” is how Lois describes the tedious, yet rewarding, task of working with seeds.<\/p>\n

Lois holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She lives in Fulton, Maryland with Mike, her husband of 32 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\"Corn, Featured Recipe <\/span>
\n<\/strong>A<\/span><\/span> Study of Summer: Maryland Corn, Crab, and Tomato Salad<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nCourtesy of Jerry Edwards, Chef’s Expressions. This recipe was one of the 2010 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout selections.<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Ingredients<\/span>:
\n16 oz jumbo lump blue crab (picked clean of shells, careful not to break up lumps)
\n4 ears silver king corn
\n4 fluid ounces extra virgin olive oil
\n1 1\/2 fluid ounces Dragonfly brand wine vinegar
\n1\/4 bunch basil, fresh, cut into “Chiffonade” strips
\n1 pinch sea salt
\n1\/2 tsp white pepper
\n1\/4 oz sugar
\n4 oz heirloom tomatoes, 1\/2″ dice (Cherokee Purple, Green – Zebra or Brandywine are favorites for this recipe)<\/p>\n

Peel corn husks away from corn. Rub corn with 1 ounce olive oil and a touch of salt. Roast corn in a 350 degrees F oven for 20 minutes. Cool and cut from the cob into a stainless steel bowl. Add lumps of crab, cut tomatoes, and basil.<\/p>\n

Make vinaigrette in a separate bowl by whisking oil, vinegar, sugar, and sea salt. Pour over crab mixture, toss gently so as to not break up the lumps of crab. Place in a ramekins that you set in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so the flavors begin to meld. Turn out ramekins onto a pretty plate, garnish with fresh tomato and basil and enjoy!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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