Dear BCFB Members:
Spring is here and in full swing - we hope that this email finds you all enjoying the season.
Please RSVP: We would like to invite the membership to our
Annual Legislative Review meeting to be held on
May 20th at 5:30 at the Baltimore County Ag Center. This meeting will be hosted by Parker Welch of Maryland Farm Bureau. Parker will review all of what took place during this year's General Assembly. If you are planning on attending -
please email the BCFB so that we can get an accurate headcount.
Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter below as it has many important announcements relevant to the industry as well as upcoming events.
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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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.
Baltimore County Miss Farm Bureau Contest 2019
Do you want to compete for the title of Baltimore County Miss Farm Bureau? Baltimore County will be hosting a “Little Miss” and “Miss” Farm Bureau contest!
To qualify:
• Girls ages 6-10yrs or 16-19yrs
• Must be Interested in agriculture
• Be enthusiastic and have a great attitude!
MFB - Valerie Connelly Update
Note from Chuck Fry, MFB President: "After 24 years with Maryland Farm Bureau, Valerie Connelly will be leaving us at the end of June to pursue a new opportunity. During her tenure, Val has served as Director of National Affairs, Government Relations and Executive Director. Val is a leader and a friend and we will miss her, but she promises that she and Steve will continue to be active volunteers in Cecil County Farm Bureau. We wish Val well in the next phase of her career.
I will appoint a search Committee in the next few days and a notice to fill the Executive Director position will circulate later."
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Source: MD Farm Bureau
How Maryland Farmers are Bettering the Bay
Farmers are boosting the Chesapeake Bay's water quality. This strategy has corn belt potential, but different incentives may be needed.
“You’ll notice we haven’t passed a tilled field,” says Ray Weil as he chats up a busload of folks touring the springtime Maryland countryside. “You see cover crops on one side, cover crops on the other.”
Two decades ago, these fields would have sported either brown crop residue cover or bare soil. No more.
“As you can see, the fields are pretty green,” says Weil, a University of Maryland soil scientist. “Some farmers will use rotational tillage from time to time, but most crops are planted under no-till.”
Read the full article.
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Thousand Cankers Diseases Detected in Baltimore City and County
State to expand quarantine zone to City, parts of Baltimore County
The Maryland Department of Agriculture as of May 1st, enacted a
quarantine, effective immediately, that makes it illegal for anyone to move any walnut material and hardwood firewood out of a 185 square mile area that covers Baltimore City and parts of Baltimore County. This action is in response to the detection of thousand cankers disease in a Baltimore industrial area. An existing quarantine remains active in Cecil County, as well.
The area quarantined includes all of Baltimore City and the southeast corner of Baltimore County (map). Non-compliance with the quarantine order could result in criminal or civil penalties.
Read the full press release.
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Meeting Notice: Maryland Horse Industry Board to Meet on May 9th
The Maryland Horse Industry Board will meet on Thursday, May 9 at 10 a.m. in the indoor arena at Good To Go Farm, 16321 Dark Hollow Road, Upperco. This meeting is hosted by Good to Go Farm and the Schuster Foundation.
The meeting will include current information and discussion concerning Horse Board initiatives, updates from board members, and reports from stable inspectors. Additionally, attendees will learn about the mission and equestrian activities of Good to Go Farm and the Schuster Foundation, and will tour the Good To Go Farm facility.
For more information, please contact Ross Peddicord at
[email protected] or (410) 841-5798.
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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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MD Forest Action Plan Sessions
The FAP assesses the current state of the forest resources and lays out the strategy for addressing forestry priorities in the state. These listening sessions will allow stakeholders to provide feedback on how the FAP should be structured and what it should include.
What are the biggest issues facing Maryland forests? Is there anything threatening the state's forestry industry? What resources do Maryland's forests and foresters need? In addition to participating in the listening sessions this May,
please take this short survey to provide input on the needs of Maryland's forests and forestry moving forward.
Listening sessions are held in every region of the state this May, with identical information presented at each event.
View the full announcement for information on each session and links to register.
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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
.
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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12 Full Scholarships Available for Basic Horticulture Certificate Program
The Sustainable Horticulture Department at CCBC has 12 full Scholarships available for the Basic Horticulture Technician Certificate Program for the Fall semester.
The Basic Horticulture Technician Certificate is an excellent way for a student to get started in the Horticulture Industry. The Certificate allows students to earn a basic credential in just one semester. Students take 4 courses, for a total of 12 college credits. The classes are: Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture, Soils and Fertilizers, Herbaceous Plant Materials and a choice between Integrated Pest Management or Landscape Installation and Construction.
Basic Hort. Technician Certificate
When: Fall 2019 Semester (August 26-December 13) at CCBC Hunt Valley.
Classses are Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30am to 4:45 pm. (15 weeks)
Where: CCBC Hunt Valley Campus, accessible by Light Rail or bus
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Nutrient Management Training Course Set for June 17-18
The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Management Program will offer a two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training Course on June 17-18 at the department’s headquarters, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis. The training provides an overview of material covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Examination scheduled for August 2. Topics include state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations. The non-refundable registration fee is $125 and includes learning materials and lunch. Register by mail by Wednesday, June 12.
To download the registration form, visit the department’s website or call 410-841-5959.
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Governor Hogan Invites Chefs to Submit Recipes for 'Buy Local' Cookout
Governor Larry Hogan invites chefs using local Maryland ingredients to submit original recipes for the Governor’s
Buy Local Cookout, which will be held at Government House in Annapolis on July 18. Recipes must be submitted by May 17, and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer. Chefs are encouraged to submit simple but creative recipes that showcase ways the average Maryland family can prepare delicious, nutritious meals with locally produced food at home.
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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4-H Summer Camps
This summer Baltimore County 4-H has 2 camp opportunities for children. Registration is now open. June starts the camps off with a 4-H STEM Camp offered
Monday, June 24, 2019 - 8:30 am to Friday, June 28, 2019 -
4:30 pm at the Baltimore County Ag Center for youth ages 8-13 yrs old.
Register Now.
Then in July, there is a 4-H Day Camp offered August 5, 2019 - 8:30 am to Friday, August 9, 2019. from 8:30 - 4:30 for youth ages 5-13 yrs. old.
Register Now.
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MD Turfgrass Association Jim Claxton Scholarship
The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund was initiated during the Spring of 2011 in order to honor Jim and his contributions to the Mid-Atlantic area turfgrass industry and financially support students while pursuing a college degree.
Jim worked as a salesman for Newsom Seed from the early 1990's until soon before his passing on March 20, 2013. He made great contributions to turfgrass related businesses during this period, especially businesses involved in turf production.
The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund allows for a single, annual $500.00 award to be issued to a winning applicant prior to the fall college semester.
Learn More and Apply Today.
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Baltimore County Farm Bureau | 410-823-1789 |
Email |
Website
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