{"id":1821,"date":"2008-07-26T13:38:46","date_gmt":"2008-07-26T13:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=1821"},"modified":"2012-10-03T13:39:57","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T13:39:57","slug":"july-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-newsletter\/2008\/07\/26\/july-2008\/","title":{"rendered":"July 2008"},"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\n
 <\/p>\n

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

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

\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0Celebrating Maryland\u00a0Agriculture<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nJuly\u00a02008\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
In This Issue<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Governor Visits Kent County<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Buy Local Week Launches<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weights and Measures: Protecting You<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farm to School Program Starts Soon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
National Plant Board News<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LEAD Maryland Seeks Next Class<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People Profile<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n

Secretary’s Corner<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"Secretary<\/p>\n

It never ceases to amaze me how diverse Maryland agriculture is and how broad the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture are.\u00a0 On July 1 we held a symposium to provide an update on the status of the statewide strategic plan for agriculture<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 The plan is the product of the grassroots process in which hundreds of farmers and other stakeholders participated.\u00a0Governor O’Malley<\/span><\/a> has shown his commitment to implementing this plan. \u00a0In the two short years since the plan was finalized, all but seven of the 109 recommendations in the areas of profitability, land productivity, and education\/research\/advo-
\ncacy are underway or complete.\u00a0 This is a remarkable accomplishment for which I thank all of those who contributed ideas to the plan, \u00a0the\u00a0dozens of partner organizations involved the implementation, \u00a0MDA staff and Governor O’Malley. It is exciting to see a plan in action, benefiting\u00a0agriculture\u00a0and our environment,\u00a0not sitting on a shelf gathering dust. While our work is not done, we have made great progress.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thank you and I wish you all the best,<\/div>\n
Roger Richardson<\/em><\/em><\/div>\n
MDA Secretary<\/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 <\/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
\"GovernorGovernor O’Malley\u00a0Celebrates Kent County Achievements <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Governor Martin O’Malley joined\u00a0Chesapeake Bay Cabinet Secretaries Roger Richardson, Shari T. Wilson and Richard E. Hall\u00a0on June 17 to\u00a0celebrate Kent County’s designation by Progressive Farmer Magazine as the “Best Place to Live in Rural America<\/span><\/a>.”\u00a0 Taking place on the Langenfelder family<\/span><\/a> farm, the event consisted of a meet and greet, short remarks and locally-grown and -made\u00a0refreshments.\u00a0 The Langenfelder’s are 6th generation farmers who – along with their three children and seven grandchildren –\u00a0actively farm 2,300 acres in Kent County.\u00a0 They are environmental stewards who plan to sell their development rights to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0forever preserving their farmland for future generations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
After expressing his strong commitment to agriculture and to the continued funding of agricultural programs, the Governor announced a series of agricultural achievements<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 This year, MDA’s\u00a0Winter Cover Crop Program<\/span><\/a>\u00a0includes $18 million\u00a0 to protect the Bay and its tributaries from nutrient runoff and soil erosion. Program features include record funding, increased rates, and no acreage caps for the traditional cover crop program.\u00a0 For the second straight year, Governor O’Malley has included in Maryland’s budget full funding for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, allowing for the preservation of more farmland.\u00a0 At the close of his speech, the Governor asked the Langenfelder grandchildren to join him at the podium.\u00a0 Looking at them, he said, “You are the future of farming.”<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"BuyTake\u00a0the Buy Local Challenge\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
Governor Martin O’Malley will kick off Buy Local Challenge Week<\/a> (July 19-27) with a traditional Maryland cook-out at the Government House in Annapolis on\u00a0July 18.\u00a0 Buy Local Challenge Week\u00a0encourages\u00a0every family in Maryland to pledge to include locally-grown products in their meals for one week.\u00a0The hope is that once\u00a0people\u00a0discover the benefits of buying locally, they will continue to buy local year round.<\/div>\n
Buying fresh, healthy, local agricultural products from Maryland farmers strengthens the state’s family-owned businesses and farms, preserves our rural open spaces and boosts our rural economy.<\/div>\n
Enjoy food that’s bursting with flavor and nutrition and support local farms, farm stands<\/a>, farmers’ markets<\/a>, wineries,<\/a> grocers and markets that stock genuine local products, and dine at restaurants that serve local farm and seafood.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n
The Challenge, created last year by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission<\/a>, has grown since into a statewide initiative. Pledge to “eat local, eat fresh!” and\u00a0share your experience with buying local. Share your favorite experience or place to buy local on\u00a0the\u00a0new “buy local” blog<\/a>.<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"MDAWeights and Measures on Your Side<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

As gas prices continue to increase, Maryland citizens can trust that weighing and measuring devices are accurate.\u00a0 Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is responsible for regulating anything sold by weight, measure or count – it is the job of agency inspectors to make sure you get what you pay for in Maryland.<\/p>\n

Maryland’s weights and measures officials test many different types of weighing and measuring devices including scales, price scanning equipment, gasoline pumps, meters to measure home fuel oil deliveries and highway truck scales.\u00a0 An important part of their job is to randomly check packaged goods to be sure they contain the quantity printed on the label.\u00a0 Inspectors also examine consumer complaints that have ranged from common gas pump complaints to the number of blood worms in a package or the number of BBs in a box of ammunition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Click here<\/a> for more information on MDA’s Weights and Measures Program, or to file a complaint if you believe the weight or measure of any product you purchase is incorrect.\u00a0\u00a0MDA’s program was also recently featured in\u00a0USA Today<\/a>.<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"twoFarm to School Program Launches this Fall<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
A new program being developed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland State Department of Education will bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and help educate students about where their food comes, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

The Jane Lawton Farm to School Program (SB 158), named in honor of the late Maryland\u00a0 Delegate Jane Lawton of Montgomery County, and sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin, was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley in May.\u00a0 In addition to facilitating the procurement of local Maryland produce for school menus, the bill also creates a Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week to promote Maryland agriculture through school meal and classroom programs and interaction between students and local farmers.<\/p>\n

Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week will be held Sept. 22-26.\u00a0 The program will also provide educational materials for teachers to integrate into their lessons to help students make the connection between their lunch menus and the agricultural process.\u00a0 Montgomery, Cecil, Carroll, and Anne Arundel Counties are already planning to feature local produce in their menus during Homegrown School Lunch Week, and as the program develops, more school systems will undoubtedly take part.\u00a0 Click here<\/a> to learn where to find Maryland-grown products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"NatinoalNational Plant Board<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Maryland Department of Agriculture, along with the Eastern Plant\u00a0Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine, and the National Plant Board<\/a>,\u00a0is honored to be hosting the National Plant Board’s Annual Meeting in Solomons, Maryland from August 10-14.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The National Plant Board is a non-profit organization of the plant pest regulatory agencies of each of the states and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. One of its primary purposes is to protect agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and the environment on state, national and international levels. It serves as a means of information sharing, policy recommendations, and harmonization of state policies.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/a> is honored that this national organization has chosen to nominate Carol Holko, MDA’s chief of Plant Protection and Weed Management, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s Honor Award <\/a>– the James A. Graham Award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture. We are proud that the organization recognizes the significant contributions Carol has made during more than 26 years of service to MDA and the green industry.\u00a0 The awardee will be announced during NASDA’s Annual Meeting in September in Bismark, North Dakota.<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"LEADSeeking Application for Rural Leadership Program <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n

The LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc. (LEAD)<\/a>, the program devoted to developing leaders to work on agricultural and natural resources issues and in rural communities of Maryland, is accepting applications for the next class of Fellows.\u00a0 Through the two-year program, the participants increase their skills, confidence and knowledge for the benefit of their industries and the communities in which they live and work.<\/p>\n

During 2009 and 2010, the LEAD Class VI will complete a series of multi-day seminars held at locations throughout Maryland; will complete a study tour in Washington, D.C.; and the Fellows will participate in an international study tour.<\/p>\n

The ideal class will be made up of 20-25 emerging leaders with diverse backgrounds, occupations, perspectives, and experiences in agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.\u00a0 LEAD seeks applicants who are farmers\/growers\/producers\/foresters, or who are involved with related activities through business, government, education, or volunteer ventures. To date 114 Fellows have completed the program.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the program or for an application, click here<\/strong>, or contact Susan Harrison, executive director, 410-827-8056 ext. 136, or leadmd@umd.edu. Completed applications and required references are due to the LEAD office by October 1, 2008.<\/p>\n

Key sponsoring organizations of the program include Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/a>, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension<\/a>, Maryland Farm Bureau<\/a>, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board<\/a>, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation<\/a>, the Farm Credit System<\/a>, the Maryland Agriculture Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund<\/a>, and the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"HeadPeople Profile: Eugene B. Roberts,\u00a0Jr.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Eugene (Gene) Roberts, Jr. is the new\u00a0chair and turf representative of the Maryland Agricultural Commission<\/a> – a 24 member advisory board to the Secretary of Agriculture.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Gene\u00a0operated Fairwood Turf Farm Inc., his family’s 1,100 acre turf farm in Bowie, for over 20 years, since his father’s death. He grew up on the farm, which originated as an Angus cattle farm. Gene’s\u00a0father enjoyed growing the grass under the cows more than the cows themselves and gradually in the mid-1960s\u00a0his father\u00a0converted the farm, with the help of University of Maryland Cooperative Extension\u00a0Agents, from pasture to cultivated turfgrass.<\/p>\n

“It has been a privilege over the last five years to work with such an interesting and capable group of men and women on the Maryland Agriculture Commission. I am particularly proud of the Commission’s work in developing the Strategic Plan for Agriculture in Maryland. I am very grateful to the leadership of Doug Green and Luke Howard, who preceded me as Chairmen of the Ag Commission, and who shepherded the Plan in its early stages.”<\/p>\n

“Secretary Richardson, Deputy Secretary Hance and the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee\u00a0comprised of representatives of various interest groups, have given the Strategic Plan effort strong support over the last several years. We have just had a particularly rewarding Strategic Plan Review Session in Annapolis on July 1, with great implementation cooperation from our partners, including; MDA, DHMH, MALPF, Farm Credit, MARBIDCO, DNR, the University of Maryland and many more.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gene is an active member in organizations related to the turfgrass industry. He is a member and past president of the Maryland Turfgrass Association and a 16-year member and former director of the Maryland Turfgrass Council. He has served on a\u00a0 U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service committee to assist\u00a0the department with\u00a0turfgrass research. Gene\u00a0is a Past-President of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and former board member of the Citizens Bank of Maryland. He is on the Advisory Committee of the University’s new Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center. Gene has a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.<\/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