{"id":1817,"date":"2008-09-26T13:36:20","date_gmt":"2008-09-26T13:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1817"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:37:28","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:37:28","slug":"september-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2008\/09\/26\/september-2008\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2008"},"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>\nSeptember\u00a02008 \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 AFO Proposal Released<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland State Fair<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Farm to School Program<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MDA Honors Employees<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EAB Found in Charles County<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Visit Agritourism Farms<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Travels Explore Ag Abroad<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AgrAbility Helps Farm Families <\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile: Dr. Kutz<\/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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Secretary’s Corner<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"Secretary<\/p>\n

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What a great summer it’s been. We’ve enjoyed getting around to the fairs, farmers’ markets<\/span><\/a>, and promoting the outstanding local food<\/span> <\/a>to restaurants, grocers, and now schools with the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School program<\/span><\/a> signed into law by Governor O’Malley<\/span><\/a> this year.\u00a0 No matter where Maryland farmers sell their products, they are well received because there is\u00a0such strong demand from consumers who want to know where their food comes from, want to support agriculture and the related open space preservation, want to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation, and want to enjoy the great taste and nutrition of\u00a0fresh Maryland-grown products.<\/p>\n

At this year’s state fair, Deputy Secretary Buddy Hance<\/span><\/a> and I had the privilege of honoring five MDA employees with 30 years of service<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 In the short time we have been at MDA,\u00a0we have learned that we have the best\u00a0employees.\u00a0\u00a0Each
\nday, in their own way, they make Maryland a better place.\u00a0 We thank them for their dedicated service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While many farmers are\u00a0dusting off their combines for the fall harvest, others are preparing for the\u00a0visitors to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other ag tourism ventures<\/span><\/a> that are becoming more popular than ever.\u00a0\u00a0There is no doubt that direct sales and consumer relations are becoming important to the future of Maryland agriculture.<\/div>\n
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Thank you and I wish you all the best,<\/div>\n
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Roger Richardson, <\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

MDA Secretary<\/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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New Animal Feeding Operation Proposal Released <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> for more details.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\"GovernorMaryland Celebrates\u00a0State Fair<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This year marked the 127th run of the Maryland State Fair <\/span><\/a>with 400,000\u00a0attendees throughout the 11-day festival.\u00a0 Governor O’Malley honored approximately 200 volunteers during Governor’s Volunteer Appreciation Day<\/span> <\/a>at the State\u00a0Fair.<\/div>\n
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\"FarmMaryland Schools Feature Local Food with New Farm to School Program;\u00a0Campaign Kick-off, Sept. 22-26
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Students in many Maryland counties will find fresh, local apples, watermelon, coleslaw and more offered in their school cafeterias as part of the new Homegrown School Lunch Week<\/a>, Sept. 22-26.\u00a0 The week-long awareness activities, including a special kick-off celebration on Sept. 23 at the Takoma Park Middle School, are a result of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program.<\/div>\n
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The program will bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and help educate students about where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.\u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0to learn how can you get children to eat more fruits and vegetables!<\/p>\n

Visit a new farm to school website<\/a>\u00a0with educational materials, menus, places to find local products and much more for parents, teachers, and food service staff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"MDAMDA Honors 30-Year Employees <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson recognized five Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) employees for their 30 years of service to the agency during Agriculture Day<\/a>\u00a0at Maryland’s State Fair<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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“The employees being recognized today represent a remarkable 150 years of dedicated public service,” said Secretary Richardson<\/a>. “Each day, they work in their own way to make Maryland a better place to live. This is a hallmark of public service and something you will hear Governor O’Malley talk about in almost every speech he makes.” <\/span><\/div>\n
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The\u00a0five MDA employees recognized included: Deanna L. Baldwin (Food Quality Assurance Program<\/a> Manager), Stephen C. Malan (Entomologist<\/a>),
\nDale A. Morris (Turf and Seed <\/a>Manager), Charles “Ed” Null, Jr. (Carroll County Soil Conservation District <\/a>Manager), and Shaun L Sanders (Garrett County Soil Conservation District <\/a>Manager).\u00a0 Click here<\/a> to learn more about our employees.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\"InvasiveNEW: EAB Found in Charles Co.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed a new emerald ash borer (EAB) detection in a wooded area in Charles County just over the border from Prince George’s County.\u00a0The detection is about two miles outside the current Prince George’s County eradication zone and about 1\/2-mile from the location where an emerald ash borer was trapped earlier this summer.\u00a0 <\/span><\/div>\n
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This find is thought to be related to the initial 2003 introduction of EAB to Prince George’s County<\/a>.\u00a0 On Aug. 26, Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson expanded the existing\u00a0quarantine, which now\u00a0prohibits anyone from moving ash trees or any hardwood firewood out of Prince George’s and Charles counties until further notice. MDA continues to assess the situation and is working with\u00a0the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine a course of action. <\/span><\/p>\n

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To help stop this damaging beetle, homeowners and citizens who live in and travel through Prince George’s and Charles counties can help. Click\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a> to learn how.<\/span>\u00a0 Learn more<\/a> about\u00a0the emerald ash borer quarantine and restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"FallVisit Agritourism Farms This Fall<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Maryland’s farmers offer a variety of<\/span> <\/span>fall activities<\/a> as a low-cost way for families to spend time together outdoors.\u00a0\u00a0Fall is the perfect time to experience the fun of<\/span> picking your own apples<\/a>, selecting your own pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, getting lost in a corn maze, taking a hayride, or attending a fall festival.\u00a0 Depending on the farm, visitors may be able to enjoy a variety of other activities including farm stands, scarecrow-making, petting farm, pony rides, decorations, fresh apple cider, home baked goods and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

These seasonal activities offer the public an opportunity to experience family-friendly, wholesome entertainment all over the State, while supporting Maryland’s farmers and learning more about agriculture.\u00a0 By expanding their businesses to include agritourism<\/a>, many of Maryland’s farmers have been able to add value to their operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"LEADLEAD MD: Travels Explore Agriculture Abroad<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Now in its fifth class and 10th year, LEAD Maryland Foundation has taken\u00a0fellows to the Netherlands, Cuba, Brazil, China, and now Finland, Estonia, and Russia as part of the two-year agricultural leadership development program.\u00a0 On this year’s\u00a0trip, the fellows saw three very geographically close nations that could not have been more different from each other in their development, culture, economy, government and agriculture. Click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> to read more about the trip as published in The Delmarva Farmer<\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0 Applications<\/a> for Class VI are due on October 1.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\"FarmerAgrAbility Helps\u00a0Farm Families Touched by Disability <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Agriculture is considered one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. When disability strikes a farm family, everything changes except the desire to continue farming.\u00a0The<\/span> Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility Project<\/a>\u00a0(DMAP) was established to serve farming families touched by a disability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you know of a farmer with a disability or chronic health condition who needs help to continue to lead a successful career in agriculture? DMAP has a whole “Red Tool Box” of solutions from\u00a0helping to paint a barn to installing steps on a tractor for safe accessibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Though farming is physically demanding, modern technology can make it possible for a farmer with a physical limitation or health condition to stay on the farm and keep working.<\/span> AgrAbility<\/a> can bring assistive technology to the farm by\u00a0finding the right adaptations for your particular needs.\u00a0 Every day, new devices and methods are developed to make independent living and working possible and easier. For more information, contact Ron Jester at 302-856-7303 or rcjester@udel.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\"FrederickPeople Profile:\u00a0Frederick W. Kutz, Ph.D.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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For the past four years, Dr. Frederick W. (Rick) Kutz has chaired the 15-member Maryland Pesticide Advisory Committee, which reviews current pesticide management and advises the Secretary of Agriculture of actions necessary to produce healthy agricultural products and to protect structures, while ensuring the health of citizens and protection of natural resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I believe that the committee provides a scientific forum for State agencies, independent technical experts and the interested public to discuss pesticide issues,” said Dr. Kutz.\u00a0“Pesticides have provided many benefits to our culture. They protect humans and animals from terrible diseases, they help provide quality food and fiber for us, and finally they preserve our buildings and other material investments. However, as with many modern marvels, pesticides have\u00a0risks associated with their use.\u00a0 They are biologically-active (= toxic) compounds, and their risks and benefits need to be carefully evaluated.”<\/p>\n

Dr. Kutz is a current member of Towson University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Planning.\u00a0 He also has a limited consulting practice in environmental sciences specializing in public health and environmental research, monitoring and assessment.<\/p>\n

“My hope is that our committee will foster and promote all methods of pest management, including the use of pesticides, in ways that enhance their benefits while minimizing their risks. Techniques of integrated pest management, open marsh water management for mosquito control and other scientific advances offer unique opportunities to do this,” continued Dr. Kutz.<\/p>\n

In 2002 he retired as a Senior Research Scientist from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after 33 years of service.\u00a0 During his EPA career, Dr. Kutz conducted research on human and environmental monitoring and assessment, and held various scientific management positions, including the Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program.<\/p>\n

Dr. Kutz holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Delaware with emphasis in medical entomology and parasitology. He earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University majoring in entomology with minors in physiology and ecology. In addition to his employment at EPA, he has worked professionally in academia, corporate research and the military. He has received numerous awards, including the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service and a Towson University Lifetime Achievement Award.\u00a0 He also serves on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.<\/p>\n

Dr. Kutz and his wife Arlene have been married for over 45 years and have two grown children and four grandsons. He has published over 75 articles in the open scientific literature and 14 government reports, edited a scientific reference book on chlorodioxins, and been the technical advisor on three video presentations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"MarylandFeatured Recipe: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Maryland Crab Imperial Nachos<\/div>\n
Grand Prize Winning Recipe by Adam Gibson of Marion Station, MD from the 45th Annual National Hard Crab Derby & Fair’s Cooking Contest in Crisfield.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
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1 pound Maryland crab meat
\n\u00bd cup crab Imperial (recipe follows)
\n\u00bd cup crab salsa (recipe follows)
\n\u00bd cup crab pico de gallo (recipe follows)
\n1 cup heavy cream
\n\u00bd stick butter
\n\u00bc cup flour
\n1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic
\ntablespoon fresh chopped garlic
\ngreen onions for garnish
\nwarmed nachos
\n1 block pepper jack cheese
\nOld Bay to taste <\/span><\/div>\n
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Combine flour and butter to make a roux.\u00a0 Slowly add cream.\u00a0 Add pepper jack cheese until thick and creamy.\u00a0Assemble crab imperial, salsa and pico de gallo on platter.\u00a0Arrange warmed nachos around dips.\u00a0Drizzle cheese sauce over and around nachos.\u00a0Garnish with cilantro, lime slices, green onion, remaining crab meat and Old Bay. <\/span><\/div>\n
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CILANTRO-CRAB PICO DE GALLO<\/strong> <\/span><\/div>\n
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\u00bd jar Goya Recanito sauce
\n1 jalape\u00f1o pepper (seeds removed)
\njuice from \u00bd lime
\n1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic
\nsalt and pepper to taste
\n\u00bd cup Maryland crab meat\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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Combine all ingredients except crab meat.\u00a0 Refrigerate overnight.\u00a0 Slowly fold in crab meat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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CRAB IMPERIAL<\/strong> <\/span><\/div>\n
\u00bd cup mayonnaise
\n1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
\njuice from \u00bd lemon
\n\u00bd cup Maryland crab meat\u00a0 <\/span><\/div>\n
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Old Bay to taste <\/span><\/p>\n

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Combine all ingredients except crab meat.\u00a0 Slowly fold in crab meat.\u00a0 Place in a shallow baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.\u00a0 Remove from heat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

CRAB SALSA<\/strong> <\/span><\/div>\n
1 (14 ounce) can whole tomatoes
\n\u00bc cup white onion
\n1 chipotle pepper (seeds removed)
\njuice from \u00bd lime
\n\u00bc cup fresh chopped cilantro
\n1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic
\nsalt and pepper to taste
\n1 dash hot sauce
\n\u00bd cup Maryland crab meat\u00a0 <\/span><\/div>\n
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Combine all ingredients except crab meat in food processor.\u00a0 Refrigerate overnight.\u00a0 Slowly fold in crab meat.<\/span><\/div>\n

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