{"id":1801,"date":"2009-05-26T13:26:10","date_gmt":"2009-05-26T13:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1801"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:27:25","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:27:25","slug":"may-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2009\/05\/26\/may-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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\u00a0 Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nMay\u00a02009\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
New CREP Agreement<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
“Grow It, Eat It” Kitchen Gardens<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stop the Beetle<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Call For Recipes<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pesticide Collections to Begin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
“Take it From Maryland Farmers”<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fight Mosquitoes at Home<\/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

\"Earl<\/p>\n

\u00a0Last Wednesday, May 14 Governor Martin O’Malley swore me in as Maryland’s 9th Secretary of Agriculture.<\/div>\n
I am very humbled and honored that Governor O’Malley has the confidence in my abilities to ask me to serve in this capacity. The past two years serving as deputy secretary\u00a0have \u00a0given me the opportunity to learn the true infrastructure of the Maryland Department of Agriculture\u00a0and to grasp how blessed we are to have such dedicated employees and volunteers who serve on the many boards and commissions that make up the agency.<\/div>\n
I would like to thank Secretary Roger Richardson for his leadership these past two years and especially for allowing me to serve as his deputy. Roger always had agriculture’s best interest at heart through his decisions and policies.\u00a0 It has been a great partnership working with Roger and I wish him and Faye all the best.<\/div>\n
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To give you a little background<\/span><\/a>\u00a0about me, I\u00a0cut my teeth\u00a0with the Maryland Farm Bureau where I learned that the best way to make decisions is to listen.\u00a0 If you are a good listener and make decisions based on what you hear and learn, chances are you’ll\u00a0make the right choices.\u00a0 While as Secretary I’ll make\u00a0many decisions and will be held accountable for them, I count on input from MDA staff, outside subject matter experts, and each and every person who I am privileged to serve.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley and I share this way of doing business.<\/div>\n
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Agriculture is facing many challenges in the very near future such as meeting an increasing demand for locally grown and organically grown fruits and vegetables, preserving our valuable farmland before it’s lost to development, and balancing profitability while at the same time using the best research available to protect the environment. I am confident that with Governor O’Malley’s leadership, a dedicated staff, a committed agricultural community and strong relationships with a wide variety of partners we can and will meet those challenges. I believe that Maryland agriculture is strong, is dynamic, and has a very positive future that together we can forge.<\/div>\n
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I count on your input and assistance, so that together we can put our families first by strengthening our family farms and businesses and our environment for future generations to enjoy.<\/div>\n
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Thank you and I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years.<\/p>\n

Buddy Hance<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

MDA Secretary<\/span><\/div>\n

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Quick Links<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
More About MDA <\/span><\/a><\/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
Join Our Mailing List!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n\n\n\n\n
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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY SWEARS IN EARL “BUDDY” HANCE AS SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
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“I am proud to swear in Buddy Hance as Secretary to Maryland’s Department of Agriculture. Buddy is highly respected in both the environmental and agricultural communities and I am confident that he will continue the work that Secretary Richardson has done to build our vision for a smarter, greener, more sustainable State, while protecting our family owned farms, and Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage.” — Governor Martin O’Malley <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Click here<\/a> for more details. Read more about Secretary Hance in the Secretary’s Corner below.<\/div>\n

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\"GovernorUSDA, Gov. Sign New CREP Agreement <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a> Secretary Tom Vilsack<\/span><\/a> and Governor Martin O’Malley\u00a0signed a revised Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agreement (CREP<\/span><\/a>) for Maryland at the Richard Soper, Jr., farm near Westminster on April 24. With enhanced financial incentives, the new agreement is designed to encourage new enrollment and re-enrollment of expiring CREP contracts to protect soil and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.<\/p>\n

Under the new Maryland CREP agreement, the federal government may provide Maryland agricultural producers up to $198 million in rental payments, incentive payments, and cost-share payments to install, maintain, or improve conservation practices over the next 15 years.<\/p>\n

Maryland was the very first state in the nation to enter into a CREP partnership with the federal government back in 1997. Click here<\/span><\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"First“Grow It, Eat It”- Plant a Food Garden! <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Maryland is\u00a0one of the first states in the nation to have a backyard food garden at the Governor’s home.\u00a0 First Lady Katie O’Malley<\/a>\u00a0partnered with the\u00a0University of Maryland Extension<\/a> to\u00a0promote their new campaign, “Grow It Eat It,” which encourages Maryland families to improve health and save money by growing fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs using sustainable practices.<\/div>\n
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The campaign hopes to encourage one million Marylanders to produce their own affordable, healthy food.\u00a0 More information on the campaign and the University of Maryland’s Master Gardener program can be found at www.growit.umd.edu<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Click here<\/a> to read more.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"twoBurn It Where You Buy It! \u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Stop the Spread of the Beetle<\/em><\/div>\n

Governor Martin O’Malley has declared May 17-23 to be Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week<\/a> in Maryland.\u00a0 The proclamation is part of an ongoing effort to inform residents about ways to help stop the spread of the emerald ash borer, a destructive pest that kills ash trees.\u00a0 Because the insect can be transported through firewood, the focus of the campaign is to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to leave firewood at home, buy it at their destination and burn it completely.<\/p>\n

Ongoing surveys are crucial to understanding the emerald ash borer’s impact in Maryland and determining the best course of action.\u00a0 Currently, MDA is hanging up to 4,000 purple triangular purple insect traps in trees statewide to determine the presence of the emerald ash borer. This year, the battle to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer will also include limited tree removal and a promising new chemical treatment of ash trees.<\/p>\n

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Bright red yard signs (much like campaign signs) are available to anyone who wants to raise awareness at their workplace, playground, or neighborhood. Just call 410-841-5920 or e-mail ppwm@mda.state.md.us<\/a> to receive any number of signs.<\/div>\n

Log onto\u00a0www.stopthebeetle.info<\/a>\u00a0 to learn more about the emerald ash borer and ways that everyone can help stop its spread. Click here<\/a> for more info.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"twoCall for Farmer\/Chef Team “Local” Recipes <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Chefs, farmers, buyers, watermen, and other representatives of the food business are invited to submit recipes to Governor O’Malley’s annual “Buy Local Cook Out,” to be held at the Government House as part of the Buy Local Challenge Week<\/a> (July 18-26) activities. Entries are due by June 1.<\/p>\n

Submissions must be by teams with one chef and at least one Maryland food producer\/farmer. If selected, your team will have the opportunity to provide, prepare, and share the dish at the Governor’s Cook Out.<\/p>\n

Recipes that represent Maryland’s Best bounty will be chosen in each of the following categories:
\n\u00b0 Appetizer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00b0 Main dish
\n\u00b0 Side dish or salad\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00b0 Dessert
\n\u00b0 Beverage\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00b0 Table decorations (centerpieces)<\/p>\n

Recipes will be selected based on creativity, availability of ingredients, geographic representation, and maximum use of local ingredients. Click here<\/a> to download the entry form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"twoPesticide Container Collections Start June 1<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)\u00a0has helped\u00a0 prevent pesticide residues from entering the soil and local waterways and saved valuable landfill space by recycling nearly 570,000 empty, plastic pesticide containers.<\/div>\n
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The pesticide container\u00a0recycling program will open its 17th year of operation in June, asking farmers, pesticide applicators and others to properly rinse and recycle their empty pesticide containers.\u00a0 The pesticide container recycling program is FREE and open to all agricultural producers and pesticide applicators.<\/div>\n
Click here<\/a> for a schedule of collection dates and sites.\u00a0For more information<\/a>, or to schedule a chipping date at your site, contact Rob Hofstetter\u00a0at\u00a0410-841-5710.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"two “Take it From Maryland Farmers” Campaign Underway<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
As the gardening season ramps up, MDA wants to inform homeowners about practical gardening strategies to protect the Chesapeake Bay. “Take it From Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay”<\/a> highlights various conservation measures – best management practices – that farmers use to produce healthy crops and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. By applying\u00a0similar measures to home, lawn and garden projects, homeowners can join Maryland farmers working to protect the Bay.<\/div>\n

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\"twoSeven Ways to\u00a0Fight Mosquitoes at Home<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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As the weather begins to warm, homeowners are reminded that their regular spring cleaning activities can help reduce mosquito populations and make spring outdoor activities more pleasant.<\/p>\n

Maryland’s Mosquito Control Program <\/a>provides direct service to approximately 2,100 communities in 22 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.\u00a0 In addition to the state program, homeowners can take the following seven simple steps to help reduce standing water and resulting mosquito populations:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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  1. Remove any buckets, cups, bottles, plastic bags, etc. that may have accumulated outside.<\/li>\n
  2. Clean roof gutters (after the oak trees have finished flowering).<\/li>\n
  3. Check rain barrels to make sure they are completely screened (including around the down spout).<\/li>\n
  4. Remove any old tires (or drill holes in those used for playground equipment).\u00a0 Store usable tires in a shed or garage so they will not accumulate water.<\/li>\n
  5. Fix dripping outdoor faucets.<\/li>\n
  6. Introduce fish to ornamental ponds, even those with fountains or bubblers.\u00a0 Most fish will eat mosquito larvae.<\/li>\n
  7. Make sure outdoor trash cans have tight-fitting lids.\u00a0 If lids are not available, drill holes in the bottom of the can.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"RobinPeople Profile: Robin Breeding\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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    Robin Breeding is currently the chair of the Dairy Oversight and Advisory Council<\/a>, which is charged with developing recommendations for the Governor on ways to improve and sustain the economic viability of Maryland’s dairy sector. The council members include representatives of the dairy cooperatives, milk processors, dairy farmers, consumers and elected officials.<\/p>\n

    Maryland’s dairy industry is a vital component of agriculture and open space in the state, representing about 250,000 acres and over $200 million in farm income. However, dairy farms have been on the decline in Maryland. There are currently\u00a0fewer than 600 dairy farms in Maryland, down from more than 1,000 in 1995. The decline is projected to continue largely due to the insufficient financial returns resulting from extreme price volatility and extended periods of depressed milk prices.<\/p>\n

    “Ensuring that Maryland’s dairy industry remains profitable and sustainable is vital to retaining this important sector of Maryland’s farm economy,” said Robin. “The council made great progress in raising legislator awareness about the plight of dairy farmers with the establishment of the Maryland Dairy Emergency Fund. The fund would kick in to provide assistance to farmers when milk prices are low, but due to the budget deficit it was not funded.”<\/p>\n

    “I’ve been in the dairy business for more than 30 years and this is the worst I’ve seen it. I feel so bad because we have not yet been able to help our producers when they need it the most,” Robin continued.<\/p>\n

    With very few exceptions dairy farms are full time family farms; a rarity in the rapidly changing Maryland landscape. “Once a dairy farm is lost, it’s not likely one will come in its place. There is too much competition in land prices due to development. If farms are not left down through generations, it is very hard to get started up today,” said Robin.<\/p>\n

    Robin has been in the dairy business for more than three decades. He was raised on a small dairy and grain farm in southern Delaware. After college, he returned to the farm and then worked for the Eastern Milk Producers Cooperative as a field representative from 1976 until the organization\u00a0merged with Milk Marketing, Inc. in 1992. In 1998, the company became part of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) where Robin continued to inspect farms and supervise other representatives in the southern Pennsylvania area. In 2000, Dairylea Cooperative and DFA formed a joint venture called Dairy Marketing Services, which is a marketing agency for the two coop groups plus a group of independent farms throughout the northeast. Robin currently is the division manager and, with another regional manager,\u00a0supervises 20 field staff. Dairy Marketing Services works with about 8,000 farms, plus haulers, plants, and state and federal regulatory personnel.<\/p>\n

    Robin earned his B.S. in Biology from Shepherd College in West Virginia. He currently lives in Greenwood, Del., with his wife Carol and\u00a0children\u00a0Caroline\u00a0and Collin.\u00a0He and Carol\u00a0are active in their local church and have coached youth soccer for last\u00a0eight years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \"MarylandMaryland Strawberry Pie\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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    Strawberry season is here! Visit a farm today to purchase fresh, locally-grown\u00a0strawberries. Click <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a> for a listing of all strawberry farms in Maryland and to\u00a0find out where you can pick your own.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    2 (9-inch) unbaked pie crusts
    \n1-1\/4 cups sugar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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