{"id":1797,"date":"2009-07-26T13:23:33","date_gmt":"2009-07-26T13:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1797"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:24:41","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:24:41","slug":"july-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2009\/07\/26\/july-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"July 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n
\"two<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
 <\/p>\n

\"MarylandMaryland Department of Agriculture\u00a0News<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0 Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nJuly 2009\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\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
Buy Local Week Cookout<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Governor Visits Calvert County<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm to School Conference<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hoff Barn Dedication<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carroll County Wins Envirothon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm Energy Audits<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vomitoxin Testing<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mediation and Ag Handling Programs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile: William Woodfield<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crab Cake Recipe<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
 <\/p>\n
\u00a0Secretary’s Corner<\/div>\n

\"Earl<\/p>\n

\u00a0There is never a dull moment in agriculture.\u00a0 On Saturday, I\u00a0took Governor O’Malley’s lead with the Buy Local Week Cook ou<\/a>t<\/span> and visited the new Green Spring Station Farmers’ Market<\/a>, theWeber’s Cider Mill Farm<\/a> and Woodberry Kitchen restaurant<\/span><\/a> north of Baltimore to celebrate the diversity and variety of food products available from Maryland farmers.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

A couple of weeks ago, I joined USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan at a day care center in Silver Spring to serve breakfast and read to the kids as part of President Obama’s Summer of Service<\/a>. We drew attention to the value of USDA nutrition programs and the inclusion of fresh foods.\u00a0\u00a0 Later this month, MDA will host a conference to accelerate Maryland’s Farm to School program.\u00a0 All of these visits highlighted the fact that the demand for fresh, local food is alive and expanding.<\/p>\n

From the commodity stand point, too much rain this spring has grain farmers grappling with the fact that much of the recently harvested wheat crop is contaminated with a naturally occurring fungus.\u00a0 Now, there isn’t enough rain to bring the summer crop to its full potential, but as we all know that can change quickly.\u00a0 We’ll learn more about this and other grain-related issues at the Maryland Grain Producers’ Commodity Classic<\/a> at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Center on the 23rd.<\/p>\n

Dairy farmers are suffering one of the worst years ever and are in dire straits due to ongoing low milk prices and high grain costs.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley along with the Governors of other dairy states are asking USDA for Farm Service Agency leniency on loans to dairy farmers.<\/p>\n

Queen Anne’s County hosted the 60th Delmarva Poultry Industry Chicken Festival<\/a>. As always, it was a job well done and\u00a0fun for all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The\u00a0Maryland Nursery and\u00a0Landscape\u00a0Association<\/a>
\nheld its annual field day at David Thompson’s Foxborough Nursery<\/a>in Harford County. At that meeting I shared a message that I need to share with everyone: times are tough\u00a0and \u00a0and things will be different at MDA. Because of the state’s budget situation, MDA is\u00a0no longer able to provide\u00a0the level of services\u00a0to which\u00a0the industry has become accustomed and we expect that things will get worse before they get better. Always optimistic, we know they will get better and we are\u00a0 looking for ways to work even more efficiently and effectively with you to give you the best services and programs we can.\u00a0Please send us your\u00a0thoughts about how\u00a0we may be able to do this.Thank you for your understanding, optimism and and cooperation.\u00a0 I wish you all the best.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
Quick Links<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
More About MDA <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n

BayStat\u00a0<\/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
Join Our Mailing List!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Governor O’Malley Kicks\u00a0Off Buy Local\u00a0Week\u00a0July 18-26\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\"\"Governor Martin O’Malley,\u00a0First Lady Katie O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony\u00a0G. Brown hosted\u00a0the 2nd Annual Buy Local Cookout<\/span><\/a> to celebrate Maryland’s Best bounty of locally grown, made and harvested foods and to challenge all Marylanders to eat\u00a0at least one\u00a0local product each day during the week.\u00a0 This year, Governor Martin O’Malley invited teams of a chef and one or more farmer, waterman or producer to submit recipes featuring local ingredients.\u00a0 Over 60 recipes were submitted in the categories of appetizers, side dishes or salads, main dishes, desserts, beverages and table decorations (centerpieces).\u00a0 All 60-plus recipe submissions, along with a few O’Malley family favorites are available online at www.mda.state.md.us\/pdf\/cookbook.pdf<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Maryland hospitals are setting a\u00a0strong example of how companies and organizations can participate in the Buy Local Week challenge.\u00a0More than\u00a020 hospitals & nursing homes in Maryland are participating by serving at least\u00a0one local food product a day and\/or their employees have pledged to do the same on their own\u00a0during Buy Local Week.\u00a0 Some hospitals have close to 200 employees participating by taking the pledge.\u00a0\u00a0Contact Louise Mitchell at Lmitc001@son.umaryland.edu<\/span><\/a> for additional information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Gov.<\/a> Calvert County: “Capital for a Day” <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown and Maryland’s Executive Cabinet joined Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr. and local officials in Calvert County on June 19, declaring it Maryland’s “Capital for a Day.”\u00a0 The program brings the State Capital to every corner of Maryland through a series of events in Maryland cities, towns and communities.<\/p>\n

Sec. Hance, a fourth generation Calvert County farmer, accompanied Governor O’Malley to events throughout the day. Events included a prayer brunch with county faith leaders at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Hall, an official ribbon cutting to open the Calvert Medical Arts Center at Calvert Memorial Hospital, and tour of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard. To kick off the public Cabinet meeting and to honor Calvert County’s strong agricultural heritage, Joe Swann (Swann Farms, Owings) presented the Governor with the county’s first harvest of sweet corn and peaches.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for a video and more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

(Caption: Joe Swann, Swann Farms, presents Gov. O’Malley with farm-fresh produce.)<\/em><\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"F2SFarm to School <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Farm to School program brings Maryland-based products into school lunches in order to stimulate local economies, help keep Maryland farmland open and productive and educate students about where their food comes, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
This summer marks the first ever state-wide Farm to School Workshop to be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Indian Creek Upper School in Crownsville, MD.\u00a0 Attendees will include Maryland farmers, food service staff, parents, teachers, and interested citizens.\u00a0 Together these groups can join forces to grow healthier children, a stronger economy and a better environment. \u00a0Registration is required for the event and can be done online by clicking here<\/span><\/a>.<\/div>\n
The program also hosts Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week<\/span><\/a> which will be held from September 14-18, 2009.<\/div>\n
In an effort to boost participation,\u00a0the Farm to School website<\/span><\/a> will be expanded to contain various new resources including per-grade curriculum and activities that teachers can bring to the classroom as well as ways parents can get involved and support the program.<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"HoffHoff Memorial Barn Dedicated\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Marlin Hoff Memorial barn was dedicated on Saturday, July 18 at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster under beautiful blue skies.\u00a0The barn was built in the late 1700s on what is now the Hoff family farm near New Windsor. It was disassembled and moved to the Farm Museum where\u00a0its history and\u00a0unique construction can be shared with others.\u00a0The barn is currently\u00a0being \u00a0reconstructed.\u00a0Sec. Hance along with numerous state and local dignitaries joined\u00a0at least 200 local residents for the ceremony.<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Carroll Carroll County Team Wins Maryland Envirothon<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

A five-member high school team from Carroll County won the 19th Annual Maryland Envirothon. Teams from Harford, St. Mary’s, Washington and Howard counties rounded out the remaining top scores. The Envirothon is 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 participated in this year’s competition, held June 16-18 at the Mount St. Mary’s University in Frederick County.<\/p>\n

The winning team will represent the state at the national 2009 Canon Envirothon, which will be held at the University of North Carolina at Asheville from August 2-8.\u00a0 During the past five years, Maryland teams have consistently placed in the top 10 percent at national competitions. Click here<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"EnSaveNew Farm Energy Audit Program <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

The Maryland Statewide Farm Energy Audit Program will help farmers reduce their energy costs through farm energy audits and equipment incentives for qualifying energy saving projects.<\/p>\n

Farmers who qualify to receive a farm energy audit through this program will pay $300, just 25% of the normal auditing fee.\u00a0 This cost is fully refunded if they install any of the equipment recommended in their audit reports.\u00a0The program offers incentives for equipment such as energy efficient lighting, heating, refrigeration, ventilation, motors, and more.\u00a0 It is not necessary for farmers to complete an energy audit to be eligible to apply for incentives on energy saving projects in this program.\u00a0 Farmers who have recently installed qualifying equipment or are planning to do are welcome to apply.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Click here<\/a> for more details, or contact Corey Conant at 800-732-1399 or coreyc@ensave.com.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
MDA Offers\u00a0Grain Testing for Vomitoxin\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Many farmers are now seeing a negative result of persistent spring rain in their wheat and barley harvest in the form of vomitoxin.\u00a0 Deoxynivalenol (DON), better known as vomitoxin, may be produced in wheat and barley grain infected by the fungus, Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab. The presence of vomitoxin can make the crop unmarketable or unusable as feed, depending upon the level of contamination.\u00a0 Anyone planning to feed this year’s crop to livestock should test their grain first. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s State Chemist is sampling grain at grain elevators and feed mills to determine if vomitoxin is present and if so, at what level.\u00a0 MDA is providing free testing and guidance <\/a>to farmers who may be considering feeding this year’s small grains to livestock.\u00a0 Testing for crop insurance purposes must be done through a crop insurance adjuster.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Contact the Maryland State Chemist at 410-841-2721 for more information or to\u00a0arrange for sampling.<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good Agricultural Practices Certification and\u00a0 Conflict Resolution Services Available\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Two very different Maryland Department of Agriculture programs are offering valuable services to Maryland farmers: The Good Agricultural\/Handling Practices Certification Program<\/a> and the Agricultural Conflict Resolution Services (ACReS)<\/a>.\u00a0Both are important tools for farmers doing business in Maryland.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With the increasing concern for food safety issues and interest in buying local products, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages fruit and vegetable producers and handlers to become certified in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) voluntary certification programs. \u00a0To become GAP or GHP certified, a farm\/business must implement a food safety program and complete a successful audit of its operation. The audit provides national recognition for producers and handlers to the increasing number of buyers now requiring audits for compliance to the GAP and GHP guidelines.\u00a0For\u00a0more information contact Deanna Baldwin at 410-841-5769 or baldwidl@mda.state.md.us, or log on to www.mda.state.md.us\/go\/gap.php<\/a>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
ACReS is designed to help farmers and others in the agricultural community who may be embroiled in nagging agricultural disputes with family members, neighbors, government agencies, or even lenders.\u00a0Those\u00a0in\u00a0such disputes\u00a0can get a fresh start by using mediation through the Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service. Maryland ACReS is a quick, confidential, no- or low cost service offered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and is available to Marylanders to help resolve agricultural related disputes before they end up in court. For more information or to request mediation services, log on to www.marylandacrs.org or contact Mae Johnson at 410-841-5778 or Johnsomc@mda.state.md.us<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Woodfield\"People Profile: William R. Woodfield <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Bill Woodfield\u00a0serves as\u00a0the chairman of Maryland’s Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission.\u00a0 The Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission assists the Seafood Marketing Program to “promote increased consumption and distribution of Maryland seafood” and to “seek effective methods to reduce cost and improve the quality and marketability of Maryland seafood.”\u00a0 \u00a0The Commission is comprised of 13 members that represent different areas of the Maryland seafood industry.\u00a0 These represented areas include seafood packers, licensed Maryland watermen, consumers, the Secretaries of Natural Resources and Agriculture and the aquaculture and retail food industries.\u00a0 Currently, the commission is focused on promoting Maryland crab meat and both hard and soft crabs.\u00a0 As Chairman, Woodfield runs the meetings and represents the Commission by hosting an exhibit at the annual International Boston Seafood Show.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Woodfield comes from a family with a\u00a0long history in the seafood business and has great knowledge of the industry.\u00a0 After high school, Woodfield went straight into the Navy.\u00a0 Upon completion of his term, he entered into the family business: the seafood industry.\u00a0 For almost\u00a040 years he worked at Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company in Galesville, Maryland.\u00a0 In 2002, the family-run business was bought by the Annapolis Produce and Seafood Division. Although it no longer operates under the same name, Woodfield continues to work there.<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Featured Recipe: Maryland Crab Cakes <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

Courtesy of the Government House<\/span><\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/span>
\n1 lb\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Maryland jumbo lump crab meat
\n1 c\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 mayonnaise
\n1 tsp\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 yellow mustard
\n1 tsp\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dry mustard powder
\n1 tsp\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Worcestershire sauce
\n2 tsp\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Old Bay seasoning
\n1 tbs\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0fresh chopped parsley
\n1\/3 cup\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
\n1 egg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 slightly beaten
\nDash\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0hot sauce<\/p>\n

Preparation:<\/span>
\nPreheat oven to 400\u00b0. Lightly butter a baking pan and set aside.\u00a0 In a large bowl combine all items except crab meat.\u00a0 Gently fold in crabmeat.\u00a0 Allow mixture to chill for at least 2 hours. Using a large scoop, portion out each crab cake to approximately 4 oz.\u00a0 Place on baking sheet and bake until golden brown (approximately 20-30 minutes).<\/p>\n

Yields: 12 – 4 oz. cakes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n
Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n