COVID-19 Business Assistance Programs Event

On September 23rd, join Jill Hamilton of SESI to learn about COVID-19 Business Assistance Programs. The event is supported by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. The event will begin online at 9:00 AM. You can register for free here.
2020 Miss Maryland Agriculture
From Harford County, Kylan Keehan was named Miss Maryland Agriculture 2020 on August 27th. Read more here.
Corn Crop Progress Report
  • 0% Very Poor
  • 0% Poor
  • 31% Fair
  • 54% Good
  • 15% Excellent

  • 95% Dough
  • 74% Dented
  • 26% Mature
Read the latest progress report by USDA here.
Market and Trade Update
U.S. Grains Council shared:
  • Corn sold: China - 2.35 MMT, Unknown - 569 MMT, Japan - 599.5 TMT, Panama - 59.7 TMT and Guatemala - 151.8 TMT.
  • Milo sold: China - 126.5 TMT

Top Five US 2020/2021 Corn Market
  • China - 8,733,000 MT
  • Mexico - 2,937,900 MT
  • Japan - 1,253,100 MT
  • Colombia - 410,000 MT
  • Honduras - 216,300 MT
  • View September 8th Maryland Grain Bids here.
  • View the September Agronomy Newsletter here.
  • Nagel Farm Service has been sharing agronomy updated and grain marketing information on their YouTube channel here.

DC Update
  • USDA extends meals for kids through December 31st to alow children to have access to nutritious food.
  • USDA has distributed more than 75 million food boxes and have provided an additional $1 billion to the program.

CFAP
  • Today is the deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
  • CFAP has provided $9.44 billion in direct aid.
  • Twenty-one US Senators are urging the USDA to extend its CFAP to include all classes of wheat. More information can be found here.
We Are Here for YOU
Stay safe and healthy! If there is anything we can do for you, we want to hear from you. It is best to contact our cell phones or emails. We will continue to have one person in the office during normal business hours.

Lindsay Thompson, [email protected], Executive Director
Jenell Eck, [email protected], Programs and Public Relations Director
Marguerite Guare, [email protected], Administration
443-262-8491
CLASSIC SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Shore United Bank

Dating back to 1876, Shore United Bank is a full-service community bank. They offer innovative banking solutions delivered with the personal touch you expect from a community bank.

Thank you for sponsoring the 2020 Maryland Commodity Classic.
NEWS/FARMER RESOURCES
Trump, Biden Outline Agricultural Priorities

The American Farm Bureau Federation asked candidates to respond with their stances on several topics directly affecting America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities, including trade, labor, regulatory reform and sustainability. Read more in depth here.
NCGA Harvest Safety Week

Last week, the National Grain and Feed Association celebrated its second annual Harvest Safety Week. They shared new safety resources addressing harvest time hazards on social media. Read the full story and check the resources out here.
Soil Health Grant available to Farmers

The MDA is accepting applications for the Farming for Healthy Soils Program. This three-year program begins this fall and provides financial assistance to farmers for implementing soil health practices on their farm. Rates range from $10 to $55 per acre. Learn more here.
See How the Chicken Industry's Enhanced Safety Measures

The National Chicken Council shares a video to explain how the chicken industry has changed to continue producing a fresh protein. Learn more here and watch the full video here.
EPA Awards $18 Million in Grants for Chesapeake Bay

The Environmental Protection Agency will fund 56 new projects across 6 states and Washington, DC in support of Chesapeake Bay restoration. The grant money was awarded by the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Read the full story here.
Ethanol Coalition Welcomes Reports of 'Gap-Year' Waiver Petition Denials

The RFA, NCGA, NFU, and ACE welcomed new reports that President Trump has directed the EPA to reject dozens of so-called "gap year" small refinery exemption petitions intended to circumvent the Tenth Circuit Court's decision in RFA et al. v. EPA. Read more here.
Drill Seeding Rate

A North Carolina Extension Area Agent shared three simple steps to make sure your drill is putting out seed at the right rate. Read the full story here.
Expanding Access to Higher Blends Through Pump Infrastructure

Building infrastructure continues to be a priority of NCGA. With their partnership with Wayne Fueling Systems, the sale of more than 50,000 new fuel pumps across the US have been supported. Recently, NCGA and RFA has partnered to assist fuel retailers in a $100 million program. Read more here.
MAEF Calendars

The Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation announced eighteen Maryland student artists with the publication of artwork in the annual calendar. You can purchase a calendar for yourself. Learn more here.
EPA Proposed Rule Provides Exemptions for Certain Biotech Plants

The EPA released a 142 page proposed rule for easing the regulatory process for plants that are engineered to kill pests, also known as plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs). EPA's proposed rule would require a developer to submit a self-determination or a request for EPA confirmation that the PIP is in fact eligible for exemption before it can engage in Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulated activities. Read more here.
NCGA to Support EPA and USDA on Future Fertilizer Strategies

The EPA and USDA have announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges. They are seeking proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to improve or maintain crop yields while reducing the impacts of the fertilizers on the environment. To see the challenges and learn more click here.
Small Acreage Next Generation "SNAG" Program

A program is available to help qualified young or beginning farmers purchase smaller farmland properties that are between 10 to 49 acres. Applicants cannot already own more than 9 acres. Read more about the program here.
Giving Back

The National FFA Organization will have their annual convention and expo virtual this year from October 27th to 29th. Watch the convention on RFD-TV and the Cowboy Channel. Due to a no in-person event, FFA is donating $10,000 to the Indiana Hospitality Relief Fund. Read more here.

Mountaire Farms sent a team of employees to Lake Charles, LA to help prepare meals for people in need. To assist Operation BBQ Relief, Mountaire sent 40,000 pounds of chicken. Read more here.

During the Maryland State Fair, 70 youth sold their livestock grossing over $115,000. Due to the virtual component, sales reached across Maryland to as far as Illinois ad North Dakota. Read more here.
EVENTS/DATES
University of Maryland Crop Talk

Join us on September 17th for "Crop Talk" by the University of Maryland Extension. The event will being at noon and has a great line-up of presenters. Learn more and register here.
How To Write a NM Plan Webinar Training

MDA and University of Maryland Extension is offering a free zoom webinar on how to write a nutrient management place from Monday October 5th through Friday October 9th. There will be six continuing education credits awarded. Learn more about the program and register here.
Mid Atlantic Crop Management School

From November 16th to 20th, attend the 2020 Mid Atlantic Crop Management School. Every day from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, earn CEU's! Registration will open in early September! More information here.
SCHOLARSHIPS
College Aggies Online Scholarship

Animal Ag Alliance is kicking off their online College Aggies Scholarship on September 14th. Students and collegiate clubs are competing for more than $20,000 in scholarships throughout the nine-week program. Learn more here.

National Sorghum Foundation

The National Sorghum Foundation and BASF are pleased to announce a joint scholarship. Providing $2,500 scholarships to deserving students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an agriculturally-related curriculum. Applications are due December 1st. Learn more here.
Created By: Jenell Eck
Programs and Public Relations Director

Please contact with any questions.