Dear BCFB Members:
Summer is here and in full swing - we hope that this email finds you all enjoying the weather!
We have a lot of great articles and updates below, so please take a few minutes to read the newsletter. There are also upcoming events that we have listed that you may want to attend!
Be sure to save the date for our 2020 Trucking Forum
hosted with Harford County Farm Bureau on January 30, 2020 at the Baltimore County Ag Center.
See the flyer for more information
.
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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"The Timely Harvest"
This section will be full of information that the BCFB needs to communicate in a timely fashion. Please use the links below for full information on each topic.
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Member Benefit - Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide® is proud to be the #1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.* as well as the exclusive insurance provider of the Maryland Farm Bureau. Nationwide also offers a variety of other insurance and financial services to Farm Bureau members including auto, home, pet, powersports, commercial and life insurance. To learn more, contact your Nationwide Farm Certified agent Reeder Insurance Agency at 410-256-6101, or visit
Nationwide.com/mfb to get a quote today.
Member Benefit - Ford and Lincoln Vehicles
Ford and Lincoln offer Farm Bureau Members an exclusive $500 Bonus Cash offer towards the purchase of a new vehicle. The link below makes it very easy for members to use their Farm Bureau Membership ID to generate their $500 Bonus Cash certificate online. You can then use the certificate at an authorized Ford or Lincoln dealership for the exclusive savings. It's that simple!
Really the only restriction is that the individual must be a Farm Bureau Member for at least 30 consecutive days prior to purchase to be eligible for the incentive.
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MFB Launches Podcast - The Corn on the CobCast
Maryland Farm Bureau announced on July 1st that they are launching a podcast! The name of the podcast is the Corn on the CobCast - join MFB host, Parker Welch as he talks with the farmers growing our favorite local foods!
Listen here.
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Tax Information for H-2A Employers
Source: UMD Ag Law Education Initiative
In response to the numerous questions we received on tax withholding for H-2A employees, we reached out to the Maryland Comptroller's office for further guidance. Specifically, we asked whether and how Maryland employers should withhold state income tax for foreign workers with H-2A visas.
Please see the linked document here for the response (in italics) from the Maryland Comptroller's office.
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State Agriculture Agency to Offer Family Friendly Activities Showcasing Agency's Diversity During Maryland State Fair
The Maryland Department of Agriculture does more than just work with farmers to ensure sound farmland management practices. It also promotes local agricultural and seafood products; ensures the wise use of fertilizers and pesticides; monitors the accuracy of weights and measures; controls mosquito populations; protects the health of Maryland plants and livestock; and so much more.
The department will highlight many of the services it provides to improve the quality of life in Maryland during the 138th Maryland State Fair, August 22 to September 2 at the State Fair Grounds in Timonium. The 12-day festival will feature thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, daily livestock and horse shows, a wide variety of midway rides and games, thoroughbred horse racing, and national entertainment.
Read the full press release.
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Sign-Up For USDA's Dairy Margin Coverage Program - Open Now
Farmers can begin signing up for the federal
Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program at their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) field office. Governor Larry Hogan included $1.5 million in his supplemental budget to pay 2019 premium costs for Maryland dairy farmers participating in the DMC program. Premiums will be paid directly from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to USDA FSA on behalf of Maryland producers.
“Dairy farmers across the country have been struggling with low milk prices and high feed costs for years,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “The state cost-share program gives Maryland producers an opportunity to receive much needed protection from the DMC program at no cost. I encourage all of our dairy farmers to visit their local FSA office and enroll today.”
Read the Full Press Release.
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Meeting Notice: Maryland Young Farmers Advisory Board to Meet July 17
The Maryland Young Farmers Advisory Board will meet Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. Agenda items will include updated reports from each board member and a presentation by Kevin Sullivan from USDA APHIS Wildlife Services on how wildlife impacts agriculture at-large.
For more information about the meeting, contact Jessica O’Sullivan at
[email protected] or 410-841-5882.
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2019 MAEF and MNLGA Scholarship Golf Tournament!
The MNLGA and MAEF rely on this tournament as a form of funding for scholarships. Both organizations take pride in helping our next generation of horticulturists and ag enthusiasts - and we would greatly appreciate your support!
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Maryland Farm Bureau 2019 Agri-Woman of the Year Award
Calling All Nominations!
This award is being brought to you by the MFB Women's Leadership Program for the first time ever this year! The deadline for these applications are
due by September 1st, 2019. This award was created to increase contest participation throughout Maryland Farm Bureau and to spotlight a female individual for their agricultural contributions in hopes of boosting public awareness of the Maryland Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee as well as increasing participation within the committee. For more information please view the links below.
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July 2019 - Maryland Agricultural Highlights
- Cover Crop Sign-Up Ends July 17th
- On-Demand Recertification Webinar Now Available for PFA
- Harford County Agriculture Night Scheduled for August 2nd
- Nutrient Management Certification Exam Planned for August 2nd
- Homeowners Reminded to Use Best Management Practices When Caring for Lawns in Summer Heat
- 2019 Commodity Classic Set for July 25th
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MDA Pesticide Container Recycling Program - Runs Through September
The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s pesticide container recycling program opened its 27th year of operation in June for farmers, pesticide applicators, and others who wish to dispose of pesticide containers properly. A total of 28 collection days are scheduled through September at seven locations throughout the state. Those participating are asked to properly rinse their empty pesticide containers before handing them in.
“This recycling program protects the environment from possible contamination and gives producers and others an easy, free way to dispose of pesticide containers,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder.
Read the full press release.
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MFB - Discussion Meet
Note from MFB
:
Calling all Young Farmers! Are you interested in winning an expenses-paid trip to Austin, TX or Louisville, KY and a $250 Dungarees gift card? Read more below about our Young Farmer Discussion Meet competitions, and
let Parker Welch know you're interested.
Candidates must pass the state level competition before moving on to the national level. The state competition will take place on December 8th during the annual MFB Convention in Ocean City.
Discussion Meet competitive events simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues, and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems.
More Information on Discussion Meet 2019
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MDA Implements New Pesticide Sensitive Crop and Beehive Locator
The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section has announced the implementation of
FieldWatch, an online registry that connects beekeepers, specialty crop growers, and pesticide applicators around the state. This registry uses precision mapping tools to help commercial applicators know where beehives and specialty crops are located, thus showing which areas are more sensitive to pesticides.
“We are thrilled to have this new system in place so we can promote better communication between beekeepers, specialty crop growers, and pesticide applicators,” said the department’s Pesticide Regulation Section Program Manager Dennis Howard.
Read the full press release.
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4 Free Horticulture Classes! CCBC
The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is offering a new
entry level certificate in basic Horticulture technology. This one-semester, 12 credit program combines 4 FREE Horticulture courses with on the job experience. Students that complete the semester will earn 12 college credits and a Basic Horticulture Technician Certificate
The Certificate is being offered Fall Semester 2019. (August 30-December 15) Classes are every Thursday and Friday, all day, at the CCBC Hunt Valley campus. The co-op work experience can be 1, 2, or 3 days per week.
Tuition is free to the first 18 students that qualify. This a work force development program. Applicants should be relatively new to the Horticulture industry and will be prepared to enter the workforce when they complete the Certificate program.
View the informational flyer!
For more information contact Martha Pindale, CCBC Sustainable Horticulture Outreach Coordinator:
[email protected] or call 410-688-5115 cell
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Governor Hogan Announces Menu for the Annual Buy Local Cookout
Signature Event Challenges All Marylanders to "Buy Local, Eat Fresh"
Governor Larry Hogan today announced the 16 recipes that will be featured at the 12th Annual
Buy Local Cookout, which celebrates Maryland’s
Buy Local Challenge Week, July 20-28, and encourages all Marylanders to eat at least one locally grown, made, or harvested product each day. The cookout, hosted by Governor Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan, will be held at Government House on Thursday, July 18.
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Governor Hogan, Secretary Bartenfelder Kick Off 2019 Maryland's Best Ice Cream Trail
Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder kicked off the 2019 season of the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail on May 24th at Chesapeake Bay Farms in Berlin, Md. The Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail officially will run through September 23. Now in its seventh year, the trail has become increasingly popular drawing participants from around the world.
“Maryland is home to outstanding dairy operations that provide high-quality, local dairy products to millions of people throughout the region,” said Governor Hogan. “The Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail is a great opportunity for our citizens to learn more about dairy farming. By visiting one of the nine dairies on the Ice Cream Trail, you are helping support Maryland dairy farmers, local producers, and rural communities.”
Read the full press release.
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Ag Literacy Opportunities
George Mayo would like to share the following information: This Ag in the Classroom program seeks to instill in Maryland students the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. Any group or individual wishing to promote agriculture is invited to participate – Farmer Bureau members, FFA students, Young Farmers, Commodity group leaders, retirees, or interested individuals.
Literacy Volunteers set up a time to visit in a nearby school and read to students in grades K-3. Following the reading of the book, volunteers conduct an activity with the students and share their experiences in agriculture. The book is then left in the classroom or media center.
For more information or to order a book for $10, contact Jeanne Mueller at
[email protected]
or 410-848-4745.
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MDA Awards Farms and Families Program Grant to MD Farmers Market Association
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has awarded the Maryland Farmers Market Association a $200,000 grant to implement the Maryland Farms and Families Act—a program that aims to double the purchasing power of residents using federal nutrition benefits at farmers markets throughout the state. These funds will be used to provide matching dollars in 2019 to federal food program benefits spent by low-income Marylanders at farmers markets. The program runs every year from June 1 through November 30. In Maryland, about 250 farmers accept federal nutrition benefits.
Read the full press release.
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Baltimore County Farm Bureau | 410-823-1789 |
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Website
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