{"id":372,"date":"2012-03-02T13:05:05","date_gmt":"2012-03-02T13:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=372"},"modified":"2012-08-13T13:05:54","modified_gmt":"2012-08-13T13:05:54","slug":"maryland-celebrates-national-agriculture-week-march-4-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2012\/03\/02\/maryland-celebrates-national-agriculture-week-march-4-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Celebrates National Agriculture Week March 4-10"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 2, 2012) \u2013 Did you know that most of life’s necessities – food, fiber, clothing and shelter \u2013 start with agriculture? Recognizing that agriculture is one of Maryland\u2019s most important industries, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is celebrating\u00a0National Agriculture Week March 4-10, 2012.\u00a0 One-third of Maryland\u2019s land is in farms. On those 2 million acres, farmers produce 42.5 million pounds of apples, 1.4 billion pounds of chicken, and 4 million tons of peaches among many other food products for citizens to eat.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland\u2019s agriculture industry is vital to the long-term health of the state\u2019s economy, environment and quality of life.\u00a0 Agriculture week is a great time to recognize the hard work of our farm families and the important role they play in providing a safe and abundant food supply and protecting the environment,\u201d said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. \u201cThe O\u2019Malley Administration is committed to sustaining the beauty of our countryside, the health of our soil and water, the strength of our economy, and the safety of our food, as well as meeting the energy needs of our shared future.”<\/p>\n

National Agriculture Week\u00a0provides an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments and uniqueness of agriculture in each area of the State.\u00a0 From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms, maple syrup and hay, Central Maryland with its greenhouse, fresh market vegetables, livestock and equine industries, to the Eastern Shore\u2019s thousands of acres of corn and soybeans, poultry and nursery businesses. Maryland truly grows something for everyone.<\/p>\n

The following list highlights seven ways Marylanders can celebrate Maryland Agriculture during National Agriculture Week:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Serve a meal with local products.\u00a0Ask your grocer for local products or visitMarylandsBest.net<\/a>\u00a0to learn where you can buy local products near you.
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know Maryland has more than 12,800 farms and more than 100 farmers\u2019 markets with at least one in every county and Baltimore City?<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plan your garden.\u00a0Spring is almost here and now is the time to plan for your gardens. Maryland farmers have initiated a homeowner education campaign,\u00a0 \u201cTake it from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay” to help gardeners by offering gardening and backyard conservation tips and online resources. Be sure to get a soil test before fertilizing and check out the University of Maryland Extension\u2019s Grow it Eat itwebsite<\/a>.
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know that horticulture is Maryland\u2019s second largest agricultural sector with total gross receipts from nursery and greenhouse crops and landscaping in 2007 totaling $1.96 billion?<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sow a vegetable garden and repair lawns with certified seed.\u00a0\u00a0Seeds are the foundation of an abundant food garden.\u00a0 Be sure to test your soil quality before applying any fertilizer.\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more info.
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know that MDA is responsible for ensuring the continued availability of high quality seed to Maryland’s seed consumers? Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ride a horse.\u00a0Sixty percent of the horses in Maryland are used for recreational purposes while 40 percent are for racing. Visit\u00a0marylandhorseindustry.org<\/a>\u00a0 to find a riding trail or licensed stable near you.
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know there are more than 87,000 horses in Maryland and according to the American Horse Council, the Maryland horse industry has an annual economic impact of $1.6 billion?<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pack a local lunch for your children. Maryland farmers grow and produce a wide variety of food including fruits, vegetables, bread, cheeses and meats for lunches and snacks that are available from farmers\u2019 markets, grocery stores, and community supported agriculture farms (CSAs).
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know Maryland has a strong \u201cFarm to School\u201d program to help educate students about where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet as well as to expand markets for Maryland farmers? Learn more atmarylandfarmtoschool.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Visit a winery.\u00a0Touring a winery or a vineyard in the countryside, tasting some of Maryland\u2019s fine wines, and enjoying the company of friends are wonderful ways to spend a springtime day.
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did you know that Maryland has five wine trails and 50 wineries that offer more than 420 different wines?\u00a0 Learn more at\u00a0marylandwine.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMeet\u201d a farmer.\u00a0By visiting\u00a0Farmersfeedus.org<\/a>\u00a0through April 3, consumers can register for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of “Free Groceries for a Year,” a $5,000 value as part of the Farmers Feed Us sweepstakes.<\/p>\n

Find out more about agriculture at the county level by looking at the\u00a02007 Census of Agriculture<\/a>. Visit\u00a0MarylandsBest.net<\/a>\u00a0to find locally grown products or find out more aboutNational Ag Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Facts about Maryland Agriculture:<\/p>\n