Congress is searching for solutions for soaring prices at the pump, corn growers must share the benefits that corn ethanol provides to our nation and communities. Join NCGA being taking action here!

Deere & Co. says it will make expended repair software available to customers. Starting in May, farmers and independent repair shops will be able to buy through its online store a version of its Customer Service Advisor diagnostic serving tool. Read the full story here.

EPA made an announcement from EPA that will restore the use of Enlist herbicides to many U.S. counties. This label amendment, prompted by new data submitted to EPA, lifts county-level bans on the use of Enlist and Enlist Dup in 134 counties across multiple states, including those where the American Burying Beetle is alleged to be present. Learn more online here.

Now is the time to apply for a $15 per acre cost share. With rising fertilizer prices, some nearing or over $1 per unit of N, focusing on split-applying needed N for corn can be a wise strategy. By splitting the nitrogen application rates, one can fine-tune the amount required by using several diagnostic tools to calculate in-season N requirements. If you are interested in adding an additional split of N to your 2022 corn crop, contact Jenell Eck McHenry at 443-262-6969. Read more here.

Lindsay Thompson, [email protected], Executive Director

Jenell Eck McHenry, [email protected], Programs and PR Director

Marguerite Guare, [email protected], Administration

Jennifer Gannon, [email protected], Student Intern

The Maryland legislative session is well underway. Both the House and Senate office buildings are now open to the public and Senate committee hearings have returned to in-person. Overall, things are going fairly well for agriculture. The crossover date (when bills without a cross file need to make it to the opposite chamber) in March 21st.

MGPA SUPPORTS HB562

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to establish that every person has the fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful and sustainable environment; and requiring the State to serve as the trustee of the State's natural resources, including the air, land, water, wildlife, and ecosystems of the State, and to conserve, protect, and enhance the State's natural resources for the benefit of every person.

MGPA believes this gives all Maryland citizens and organizations standing to sue or contest state permits and licenses given to farmers (nutrient management plans, Pesticide applicators licenses, etc) if they feel they violate their environmental right.

MGPA Opposes SB783/HB596

SB800/HB1002 - Sales and Use Tax - Electricity for Agricultural Purposes - Exemption

Back by popular demand, Maryland's Conservation Buffer Initiative provides farmers with attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers on farms to improve the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay. New this year, farmers can receive up to $4,500 an acre to install riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing. Other features are available and can be found online here.

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology is funding two research projects that would interest grain producers.

For two years, the Huges Center funded research on "Adapting to increasingly saline soil in coat Maryland." A team of researchers is seeking to fill a gap and provide farmers, technical advisors, and policymakers with information that is needed to promote adaptation and resilience to sea-level rise and climate-driven changes.

They also funded a one-year project, "Advancing farmers' capacity to prepare for and address climate change: using an integrated, social science approach to identify technical support related barriers and opportunities." Researchers will interview farmers and technical service providers to understand their respective on 4 topics.

Congratulations to the following farm families!

Nearly 90 members of Congress sent a letter recently to the U.S. International Trade Commission calling on it to reconsider the tariffs placed on phosphate fertilizer products imported from Morocco and suspend the current process to impose new duties on nitrate fertilizer from Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here.

The USDA APHIS has confirmed HPAI was detected in domestic poultry in 24 states as of April 4, 2022. Nationwide totals are 118 separate premises, 72 of which are commercial chickens or turkeys, 46 backyard flocks of mixed species, and a total of 22,851,072 birds depopulated. Read more here.

MAEF is having teachers and curriculum coordinators learn more about the turf industry this July. Registration is now open and can be found online here.

At this time you are able to terminate your 2021 cover crop. If you plan to plant green and receive cost-share, this may not occur prior to May 1st. Please report your termination by June 3rd. Read more on page 4 here.

For 2022, DCA is offering undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 and graduate scholarships of $3,000. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 8th after 4:30 PM. Students working towards a degree in a subject relevant to Delmarva's chicken community are eligible. Find more information online here.

Growmark is offering a $1,500 scholarship program for students pursuing two or four-year degrees or trade certificates in an agriculture-related field. Applicants must complete an online application by April 14th to be judged by a panel of agribusiness professionals. More information can be found here.

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology is seeking undergraduate student applicants interested in working as an intern on a project that will require extensive research related to agriculture, urbanization, land use, food systems, and policies in Maryland over a twenty-year period. The deadline to apply is April 20th. Read more online here.

Created By: Jenell Eck McHenry | [email protected]

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