{"id":1789,"date":"2009-11-26T13:18:07","date_gmt":"2009-11-26T13:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1789"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:19:19","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:19:19","slug":"november-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2009\/11\/26\/november-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"November 2009"},"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 2009\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
In This Issue<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Garden Cover Crops<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tobacco Farmer Court Case<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
’09 Dairy Report Released<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MDA, Cuban Trade Fair<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New MDA Website<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vote for Maryland Barn!<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
National Oyster Cookoff<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Firewood: Consumer Tips<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile – Royden Powell<\/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

\"Earl<\/p>\n

\n

In October, as part of Governor O’Malley’s Capital for a Day in Laurel, I toured the nearby USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. We saw cutting-edge conservation and remote sensing research underway.\u00a0 Later in the day, I showed my fellow Cabinet members a plastic cup made at the Center from poultry feathers. It is hoped that this technology will one day be adapted for use as containers or liners in the nursery industry.<\/p>\n

It is this kind of technology and innovation from USDA, the University of Maryland and many others that is helping Maryland agriculture advance Chesapeake Bay restoration.\u00a0 Innovative best management practices, reporting of results, and active involvement by farmers and policy makers keep Maryland as a leader in Bay restoration.<\/p>\n

As a state, our progress for key indicators\u00a0 is documented online at www.baystat.maryland.gov.\u00a0 The “solutions” part of the website shows that for most areas, agriculture
\nhas made significant contributions to the “all source” nutrient reduction
\neffort.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley has been vigilant about getting
\ninput directly from farmers and agricultural organizations, sorting through
\ncompeting information to find the facts, and relaying agriculture’s
\naccomplishments to others.<\/p>\n

The Governor has not hesitated to
\nspeak up for agriculture. Most recently, he wrote to U.S. Environmental
\nProtection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson expressing concern that EPA
\nis planning to have one set of farm regulations for Maryland poultry operations
\nand another set for operations in the rest of the country, setting up a
\ncompetitive disadvantage for our producers.
\nHe has also spoken with her directly about a number of Chesapeake Bay
\nrestoration issues of concern to farmers and others involved in the process.\u00a0 Administrator Jackson responded that “EPA
\nregulations for CAFOs are national in scope and apply uniformly throughout the
\ncountry” and that she “expects to work in close partnership with the State of
\nMaryland and other jurisdictions in developing federal strategies designed to
\nmeet our shared goals for the Chesapeake Bay.”<\/p>\n

Regarding the Draft Implementation
\nStrategy for the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order that was announced last week, EPA
\nis accepting comments through January 8, 2010 (executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net).
\nThe document will be final in May 2010 and will impact farm operations.\u00a0 To date, EPA has been receptive to Maryland’s
\nofficial comments.\u00a0 Another bill to watch is the Chesapeake Bay
\nEcosystem Restoration Act of 2009 presented by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. It has
\nboth regulatory implications and positive financial resources for cleanup
\nefforts.<\/p>\n

Finally, the CAFO permit and the Maryland Animal
\nFeeding Operation (MAFO) process have deadlines that are nearing.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley recently called MDE, MDA
\nand the Farm Bureau together with his top level staff to find out if anything
\nmore can be done to inform producers and to make the permit as manageable as
\npossible.\u00a0 The result is a mailing from
\nMDE of all pertinent forms and information to the 480 or so operations that
\nsubmitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) back in February.\u00a0 In addition, MDE will create a
\nwebsite that farmers can use to determine if they need a permit.\u00a0 The discharge permit will become effective
\nDec. 1. Documents in the package need to be signed and returned no later
\nthan Jan. 4, 2010.<\/p>\n

In summary, MDA and Governor
\nO’Malley are working hard on behalf of Maryland agriculture and the Chesapeake
\nBay. While efforts are ramped up to meet the Bay restoration goals, we want to
\nmake sure that there are technical and financial resources available for
\nfarmers and landowners.\u00a0 While MDA
\nrepresents agriculture’s interests in the policy arena, farmers need to become
\nmore involved.\u00a0 Reach out to your county
\nand state farm bureaus, farmland preservation organizations, and others that are
\ninvolved to learn the issues.
\nMake sure to let your elected officials know what would be best for you
\nand your business. Please respond to requests for information from MDA and from
\nour Agricultural Statistics Service.<\/p>\n

We
\nare actively providing input into the process and need you to do the same in a unified
\nvoice and in work groups as the process evolves. \u00a0Together we are charting a smart, green and
\ngrowing future for agriculture, the Bay and for our children.<\/p>\n

Thank you. I\u00a0wish you all the\u00a0best,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

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

MDA Secretary<\/div>\n

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Quick Links<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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BayStat <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Sign Up for Governor O’Malley’s E-Newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0\"FirstCover Crops Planted in First Lady’s Garden<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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As part of the Grow It Eat It<\/a> campaign, First Lady O’Malley and her family have been harvesting vegetables throughout this summer. Last month, Master Gardeners and Maryland Department of Agriculture staff helped to prepare the garden for fall by harvesting the remaining vegetables and herbs and planting cover crops.<\/p>\n

Like farmers, homeowners play an important role in protecting our soil and water resources, especially the Chesapeake Bay. Bare soil is highly susceptible to erosion by both wind and water. It is important to reestablish vegetation as soon as possible, whenever soil is exposed.\u00a0 You can plant cover crops in vegetable and flower gardens in the fall to keep the soil covered and reduce the risk of erosion. Cover crops also increase organic matter in the soil and tie up leftover nutrients. They should be tilled under at least two weeks before spring planting. Annual ryegrass, winter wheat, crimson clover, winter radish, and oats are examples of cover crops that you can use.<\/p>\n

The Grow It Eat It<\/a> campaign encourages Maryland families to improve health and save money by growing fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs using sustainable practices.\u00a0 Click here<\/a> to learn more on ways to improve your lawn or garden and protect the Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Southern Court Decision Denies Payment to Maryland Tobacco Farmers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
North Carolina Supreme Court ruled against Maryland on Nov. 6,
\neffectively denying any further payment to Maryland tobacco farmers
\nfrom the nation’s largest tobacco companies under the 1999 National
\nTobacco Growers Settlement Trust (also referred to as the “Phase II”
\nsettlement).\u00a0 The case would have required Philip Morris, USA, Inc.,
\nR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and Lorillard Tobacco Company to make
\npayments through 2010 totaling about $13 million for the benefit of
\nMaryland farmers.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

“We
\nare disappointed by the N.C. Supreme Court decision in favor of the large
\ntobacco companies and allowing them to back out of their agreement thereby
\ninflicting a huge economic loss to Maryland tobacco growers,” said
\nMaryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. ” We feel those who should have received payments under this agreement
\nhave been unfairly treated and we\u00a0will continue to discuss strategies to\u00a0address
\nthis matter and\u00a0make sure these individuals get the money they were
\npromised.”\u00a0 Click here<\/a> for more details.<\/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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Brown ’09 Dairy Advisory Report Available <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council has three proposed
\nrecommendations to Governor Martin O’Malley this year in their 2009 report<\/a> that would be
\nbeneficial to the goal of retaining and encour<\/span>aging a healthy dairy
\nindustry. They are to:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n