New! County Executive Listening Sessions Scheduled

Inform Baltimore County Executive, Johnny Olszewski, about issues affecting agriculture in Baltimore County at this important meeting. This March 25th event is being held at the Farmacy Brewery (3100 Black Rock Rd., Reisterstown, MD 21136) from 8am-10am and hosted in part by Baltimore County Farm Bureau.

Attendees are asked to to submit questions in advance regarding their top three or four urgent needs. This will help organizers maximize the benefits of this breif session with the County Executive. Submit questions with your RSVP. RSVP to [email protected].

New! Increased Meal Reimbursement (H-2A & H2B)

According to FEWA, on February 9, 2023, The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) published the federal register notice regarding travel subsistence reimbursement for H-2A, H-2B, and allowable charges for agricultural workers' meals (H-2A) effective immediately.  The DOL also published the information on their website.

New! Give FFA Day

For one day during National FFA Week, the Maryland Future Farmers of America (FFA) are celebrating the spirit of giving in FFA with Give FFA Day for the 24 hours of Thursday, Feb. 23rd. View the event flyer. Bookmark the link and set a reminder to donate! Go to: FFA.org/GiveFFADay and select the state of MARYLAND!

New! 2023 MFB Scholarships

On February 2nd, Maryland Farm Bureau announced they will be awarding $10,000 in scholarships to youth who are part of MDFB member families. Three of the scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing academic disciplines in food, agriculture, and/or natural resources. The remaining two scholarships are open to students in any academic discipline. Scholarship recipients will be selected by a designated committee of the Maryland Farm Bureau. Students must apply online via the official application website.

Click here for more details.

New! Town Hall Meeting

The agriculture community is encouraged to register in advance to advocate for establishing the Office of Agriculture in MD.  The District 3 Budget Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for March 15th at 6:30pm located in the Fasig Tipton building at MD State Fair.  RSVP on the Baltimore County website.

American Landscape Institute (ALI) Applications are now being accepted for the ALI Program. ALI is a unique “Earn and Learn” scholarship program for high school graduates to take college horticulture classes at CCBC while working for a landscape or nursery company.  Students work 4 days per week for a landscape or nursery company, and attend classes at CCBC every Friday. Students graduate debt free with a Certificate in Landscape Installation, Maintenance, and Design. High school seniors or graduates can apply via the ALI website. Contact Martha Pindale 410-688-5115 [email protected] 

In addition to a brand new Facebook Page, BCFB has just launched its Instagram account! Add BCFB to your regular scroll, and effortlessly keep up to date on all things Farm Bureau!

Maryland Department of Agriculture Highlights -

New! MPT's MD Farm & Harvest Visits Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Frederick Counties During Valentine's Day Episode On February 14th, MPT featured farms and locations in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Frederick counties during a new episode that premiered on Tuesday, February 14. Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and online at mpt.org/livestream. Encore broadcasts are available on MPT-HD Thursdays at 11 p.m. and Sundays at 6 a.m. Each episode also airs on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Episodes are also available to watch on demand using MPT’s online video player and the PBS Video App. Read the full press release.

New! MPT's MD Farm & Harvest Visits Howard, Kent, and Frederick Counties During February 7 Episode MPT featured farms and locations in Howard, Kent, and Frederick counties during a new episode that premiered on Tuesday, February 7. For viewing information, please read the full press release.

New! Farmers May Fertilize Small Grains with Commercial Fertilizer Beginning February 15 On February 9th, MDA announced that farmers who planted small grains for harvest last fall may “top dress” these crops with commercial fertilizer in accordance with their nutrient management plans beginning February 15 as long as ground conditions remain favorable. This determination follows Maryland’s nutrient management regulations and is based on research conducted by University of Maryland plant experts. As a reminder, manure may not be applied to fields until March 1. Read the full press release.

March 1 On January 17 the MDA reminded farmers that the deadline to submit Annual Implementation Reports (AIRs) outlining nutrient applications made in calendar year 2022 is March 1, 2023. For those who want to save time and paper, an electronic reporting option is available through Maryland OneStop. Read the full press release.

Winter Ban on Spreading Manure Began December 16 The MDA reminds farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure and other nutrient sources on cropland, including food processing residuals (FPRs) began December 16, 2022. Farmers may resume spreading on March 1, 2023, based on their nutrient management plan recommendations as long as fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen. Read the full press release.

Are you receiving the University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural newsletter for Baltimore County: Ag Insight?

In the February Edition, you'll find:

To receive the newsletter directly, email Erika Crowl.

Visit the UMD Extension website for past newsletters.

New Online Training Available to Assist Growers Better Understand Risk Management Tools

This summer, the University of Maryland (UMD) is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and USDA to create a four-module online training course Maryland Farming Success. This course will allow traditionally underserved and socially disadvantaged audiences to logically develop a plan, focused on financial skills, risk management tools, and legal topics regarding their farm operations, and understand additional existing assistance available from USDA, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs and Risk Management Agency programs.

The online training course is separated into four modules designed around preparing farmers for success by providing information about available USDA programs and creating the ability for participants to have a successful business plan, including - mission and goals, enterprise budgeting, risk management, and legal risk management. Read the full press release.

MD Farm Bureau Young Farmer's Committee Scholarship Opportunities

The Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers will be awarding two (2) recipients with a $1,250 scholarship to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) FUSION Conference on March 3 – 6, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida, in memory of Francis Moats. This conference will have great speakers, breakout sessions and evening events to bring together volunteer leaders from the Promotion & Education, Women's Leadership and Young Farmers & Ranchers programs. You’ll leave the conference with new friends, new ideas and new energy for your farm and Farm Bureau.

Scholarship recipients will be selected by a designated committee of the Maryland Farm Bureau. To apply, please fill out the application and submit it via email to Parker Welch at [email protected]. Applicants must be between the ages of 18-35 and must be a Maryland Farm Bureau member. To become a member visit, www.marylandfb.org. You can also visit this link for more information on Young Farmers Committee and to apply.

Would you like to have your nursery featured on Maryland's Best's website? Maryland’s Best is a program managed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Agribusiness Development section. Our mission is to link Maryland farmers with consumers through this Web site, promotions and advertising. Register here to be featured on the website at no cost. Learn more about Maryland's Best.

Sizing and Pricing:

Double sided

18" x 24" $145

3' x 4' $380

Single sided

18" x 24" $105

3' x 4' $320

Double sided

18" x 24" $135

3' x 4' $350

Single sided

18" x 24" $95

3' x 4' $ 290

To claim your $60 rebate, provide proof of purchase to the BCFB via email.

Questions? Please contact BCFB at 410-823-1789 or email

410-620-9180 www.adartsignsinc.com

New Blog! Maryland Risk Management Education Blog

The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources' Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has a blog that is focused on issues related to agricultural policy, crop insurance, and agricultural law.

The most recent blog from February 14, 2023 titled USDA Registered Its "USDA Organic" Seal Trademark. Now What? can be viewed here. Earlier blogs can be accessed here on the college's website.

Work Boots.com is an online store specializing in work footwear, apparel and equipment. With styles from industry giants like Carhartt, Dickies, Timberland Pro and Wolverine, Work Boots.com is a one-stop shop for all work wear requirements. Members of the Maryland Farm Bureau receive a 15% off discount to Work Boots.com Call (636) 680-8061 or 410-922-3426 for the promo code. More here.    

MYDEALS Mobile App for Member Savings Advantage Looking for an easy way to see your member benefits all in one place? Download the Member Savings Advantage app on your phone to receive exclusive discounts at thousands of popular restaurants and retailers. Take a look at how the MYDEALS app works. The app can be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet from the APP Store or Google Play. Members can find discounts that are in their area based on their location when using the app.  If a member already registered on the website with a user email and password that same credential can be used on the mobile app. If not, a member will need to go to “Setup Account” and enter the program ID -200655 and their Farm Bureau ID# as the Mobile Password. If Access has an email address and password on file, it will pre-populate the “Setup Account” page and the member will need to finish registration. Learn more about the Member Savings Advantage program.