{"id":20145,"date":"2016-03-14T14:08:16","date_gmt":"2016-03-14T18:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=20145"},"modified":"2016-03-14T14:08:16","modified_gmt":"2016-03-14T18:08:16","slug":"maryland-celebrates-national-agriculture-week-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2016\/03\/14\/maryland-celebrates-national-agriculture-week-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Celebrates National Agriculture Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

10 Ways You Can Get Involved With Maryland Agriculture
\n<\/em><\/strong>
\n\"\"
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2013 <\/strong>Did you know that most of life’s necessities \u2013 food, fiber, clothing and shelter \u2013 start with agriculture? National Agriculture Week (March 13-19) recognizes and celebrates the contributions of agriculture to American society. In recognition of Maryland agriculture as one of the state\u2019s most important industries, Governor Larry Hogan has declared \u201cMaryland Agriculture Week,\u201d which coincides with the national celebration. From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms and hay to Central Maryland with its greenhouse and livestock industries to the Eastern Shore\u2019s acres of corn and poultry \u2013 Maryland truly grows something for everyone.<\/p>\n

There are 2.1 million farms in the United States, a country with nearly 319 million people. Agriculture products remain the nations\u2019 top export. Each American farmer today feeds more than 144 people – a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. American agriculture is doing more – and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankly, it\u2019s easy to take agriculture for granted in America. Our food is accessible, affordable and safe. Agriculture Week is a good time to reflect on \u2013 and be grateful for \u2013 American agriculture,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. (The Secretary\u2019s blog this month is dedicated to Maryland Agriculture Week. Read it here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

In Maryland, one-third of the land mass \u2013 over 2 million acres \u2013 is farmland. In 2014, the top commodity sectors were poultry (broilers), greenhouse and nursery, corn, and dairy. For more interesting facts about Maryland agriculture, see the AgBrief<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Agriculture shares 10 suggestions to help citizens recognize National and Maryland Agriculture Week:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Watch (or rewatch) the first three seasons of <\/strong>Maryland Farm and Harvest<\/strong><\/a> on <\/strong>Maryland Public Television<\/strong><\/a> or <\/strong>online<\/strong><\/a> at mpt.org\/farm<\/a>. The hit series, now in production for a fourth season, puts a human face on farming by showcasing personal stories about farmers, their work with the land and resources, production of food and fiber for our society, challenges, hopes and dreams, and their future.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. \u201cTake It from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay\u201d<\/strong> is an education campaign that provides homeowners with information and tips from farmers that they can use to do their part to help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The initiative offers a series of fact sheets that can be helpful. Some to consider are:\n