County Seeks to Buy Fresh Local Produce to Address Food Insecurity
As part of the County's coordinated response to help protect the well-being of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive Johnny Olszewski is adding fresh locally grown produce to the grocery items being distributed to families in need at more than 30 distribution sites around the County. "Buying fresh, healthy produce from our own County farmers helps support this important industry, while adding another positive dimension to our commitment to ensuring that our families and seniors are able to keep putting food on their tables," Olszewski said.
Purchasing fresh produce from local producers benefits participating farmers while providing delicious and nutritious farm-fresh food to families suffering from unprecedented unemployment and food insecurity due to the ongoing health crisis. Since March 1st Baltimore County has provided more than 3,100,000 meals through dozens of food distribution
sites<https://bc-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Nearby/index.html?appid=2f9aa91a53
c34f26afda8798024bfa75>.
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Wayne Fegely in Upperco, MD is currently seeking some help/ a potential young farmer who'd be willing to help on the farm as he is physically unable to do the day to day tasks and his daughter is currently in the hospital battling cancer and is unable to attend to the daily work. The farm is located below along with his phone number for anyone that would like to reach out to him.
4405 Black Rock Rd
Upperco, MD
Wayne Fegely
410-239-7054
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Further below in this newsletter, please see links to comprehensive COVID-19 information. The MFB is putting together a Coronavirus Updates newsletter - if you are not receiving it
,
sign up online today.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office.
Vanessa A. Finney
BCFB County Secretary
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EPA's Dicamba Herbicide Clarification
On June 8th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a cancellation order on three dicamba herbicides, XtendiMax with vapor grip technology, FeXapan, and Engenia, after a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling in a lawsuit that cancels the registration of these three herbicides.
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Maryland Farm Bureau Agri- Woman of the Year Applications Open
The purpose of this award is to recognize a woman in her efforts in one or more of the following areas:
- Agricultural Business and Community Activities
- Agricultural Leadership and Community Involvement
- Farm Bureau Involvement at the County, State and/or National Level
With this award, the MFB hopes to spotlight a female individual for their agricultural contributions in hopes of boosting public awareness of The Maryland Farm Bureau's Leadership Committee as well as increasing participation within the committee.
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Maryland Agriculture Highlights - June 2020
NEW!
Mail-in Applications for Cover Crop Program Will be Conducted by Mail Only
The MDA announced today, June 18, 2020, that "this year's cover crop sign-up will be conducted entirely by mail from July 1 through July 17".
Read the full press release here. Farmers who participated in last year's program will receive a registration packet in the mail later this month. To be considered for cost-share applications must be received by July 17. On July 1, the application will be available on the
program's website. Farmers who have questions or need assistance with their applications should contact their
local soil conservation district.
NEW!
Application Window Moved to 2021 for the Next Class of LEAD Maryland Fellows
The LEAD Maryland Foundation announced that applications for its next class of LEAD Fellows will be accepted one year later than originally planned from June 1 to October 1, 2021.
The delay allows the current class of LEAD Fellows to complete their work that has been delayed or postponed due to COVID-19. For more information,
visit the website, or
email the program.
NEW!
Department Adopts Regulations for Phase Out of Chlorpyrifos
MDA has adopted regulations to immediately restrict and phase out the regular use of chlorphyrifos, a pesticide used in agricultural production and turf management. Full text of the regulation can be found here in the
April 10, 2020 edition of the Maryland Register.
Department Announces Dates for Pesticide Container Recycling Program
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On May 28, 2020, The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Regulation Section announced 2020 dates and locations for its pesticide container recycling program. Please
visit the website
for more details.
Renewal Forms for Lawn Care Professionals Being Mailed in Late June
- The MDA Announced that renewal forms for Certified Professional Fertilizer Applicators, business license holders, and trained employees will be mailed in late June or Early July. Current certifications, registrations, and licenses will remain valid until 30 days after the State of the Emergency. Verify if a lawn care provider is certified by visiting the department's
Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program's website.
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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 entry, from June 2, 2020 titled Maryland Appellate Court Finds Party on Landowner's Property Not Covered by Recreational Use Statute can be accessed
here on the college's website.
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Baltimore County Extension's 'Ag Insight'
Are you receiving the University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural newsletter for Baltimore County: Ag Insight?
- Corn and Soybeans Fungicide Recommendations
- June Equine Webinar Series
- 2020 Strawberry Booklet
- Backyard Farming Zoom Sessions
- Bifenthrin Update
- CFAP Responses
- And much more!
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First Spotted Lanternfly Hatch
of 2020 in Maryland
On May 29, 2020, The Maryland Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first spotted lanternfly hatch of 2020 in the northeast corner of Cecil County near the Pennsylvania border. In Maryland the hatching is expected to last through mid-July.
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Share Your Story with American Farm Bureau
What impact has COVID:19 had on your farm? American Farm Bureau wants to hear from you. It's not possible to predict the extent of the fallout from this pandemic, which is why American Farm Bureau is relying on you to share your story.
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Horticulture Research Institute Scholarships Available
The Horticulture Research Institute (HRI) is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 school year. These 7 scholarships are made possible by 7 HRI endowment funds that aid students who are seeking a lifelong career in horticulture. HRI and its donor firms consider "graduating students in horticulture to be the lifeblood of the green industry."
HRI Offers the following scholarships that are due September 10, 2020:
- The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow Jr. Scholarship
- The Usrey Family Scholarship
- The Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship
- The Susie & Bruce Usrey Scholarship
- The Spring Meadow Scholarship
- The “Mugget” Scholarship
- The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship
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Maryland Farm & Harvest Nominated for Emmys
To help Marylanders learn more about agriculture - the state's number one industry - Maryland Public Television (MPT) in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has created
Maryland Farm & Harvest
, an Emmy award-winning series that puts a human face on farming.
Visit this site to stream episodes of the show.
On June 16, 2020 at 7pm, a special Maryland Farm & Harvest program will air detailing how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting agriculture. The program will be repeated on Thursday, 6/18 at 11:30am, Friday, 6/19 at 7:30pm on MPT2, and Sunday, 6/21 at 6am.
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Maryland Farm Bureau - Member Savings Advantage
Start saving at your favorite retailers! MFB members now have access to nearly 300,000 discounts nationwide through Member Savings Advantage! Sign up today and start saving on dining, recreation, auto, health, home & garden, cruises, airfare, and more!
Make your membership work for you and sign up today!
Online:
- Go to www.mdfarmbureau.com/member-savings-advantage.
- Click on the “Register Here” button.
- Register with your Farm Bureau membership number 660141 and begin saving immediately!
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FCStone Webinar Recording
Did you miss the "Keeping the Maryland Farm Profitable in 2020 – Market Outlook & Educational Webinar" from our Member Benefits partner, INTL FCStone on May 20th?
Hear from market experts, learn about risk management tools and start thinking more strategically about crop marketing.
Click here
to login in with your member number and watch the recording!
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Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Food Bank Launch #HungerHeroes Campaign
In order to meet the increasing needs of Marylanders that are struggling to have enough food to eat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Maryland Food Bank have joined forces to launch the #HungerHeroes Campaign.
Learn more here about how you can engage in these efforts alongside the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Maryland Food Bank. Let's work together to help one another during this unprecedented time.
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Below, please find resources pertaining to the Agriculture industry and responding to COVID-19.
NEW!
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides detailed safety practices to follow for essential workers that have been exposed to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Read more here.
NEW!
The State Veterinarian's Office provides guidance for livestock shows and competitions to ensure your event is in compliance with state orders and standards set by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Back to Business: Maryland is Open for Business
Guidelines and best practices for Maryland's companies reopening in correlation with the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Hogan's Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery plan details a phased approach for opening back Maryland's businesses.
Read more here.
Maryland Farm Bureau has put together a comprehensive Coronavirus web page that they are updating daily with links, articles, print resources, and much more
.
MFB Coronavirus Resource Page. The MFB is also putting out routine coronavirus newsletters; the most recent one
can be found here.
Below are a few additional resources from University of Maryland Extension:
A few additional links from industry partners and MD state resources:
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USDA Accepting Applications for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Beginning May 26, 2020, USDA began accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses due to the coronavirus. They will accept applications through August 28, 2020.
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U.S. Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to Assist Agricultural Businesses
As of May 4, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program began accepting new EIDL applications to help provide relief strictly for agricultural businesses.
On Monday, these details were shared in a webinar. Please use the following links to access a
recording and
slides from the webinar.
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Governor Hogan Announces Pandemic Adjustment Funding for Agricultural, Forestry, and
Seafood Business
Governor Hogan announced that the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) will receive $2.2 million dollars in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to help Maryland agricultural, forestry, and seafood businesses make operational adjustments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Half of the money will be used to establish a new Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund to help Maryland's food and fiber producers, harvesters, and primary processors make necessary adjustments in their business operations due to the pandemic. The other half of the money will be used to continue a recently launched Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund program designed to help Maryland's farmers and other rural businesses make necessary adjustments due to the pandemic.
Read more on these important developments.
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Baltimore County to Reopen Residential Drop-Off Centers, Resume Yard Waste Collection
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Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that yard waste collection will resume and residential Drop-Off Centers will reopen.
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Baltimore County Farm Bureau | 410-823-1789 |
Email |
Website
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