Market and Trade News

• Black Sea grain exports have allowed 17.8 million tonnes to reach million in need worldwide, more here.
• Soybean harvest is just beginning in Brazil, more here.
• Australia's bumper wheat crop cuts prices for hungry Asian markets, more here.
• Growers planted more wheat than first expected, more here.
• Check out the latest grain bids online here.

The 2023 Maryland Legislative Session began January 11th in Annapolis. Membership with the Maryland Grain Producers Association helps represents your best interest and provides a seat at the table!

2022 Corn Data

Medius.Re, an online platform where check-off funded research can be easily accessed, has the 2022 corn data updated! You can check out the variety selection online here.

Call to Action

The EPA has released a proposed rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard that will set volume requirements through 2025. Let EPA know that corn producers are ready to help launch a new era of clean, renewable energy and remain eager to work toward even higher blends of ethanol.

Atticks to Head Maryland Ag Department

Kevin Atticks (pictured center), an agricultural advocate and lobbyist, will head the state's Agriculture Department. The Moore administration announced Attick's appointment on January 17th along with several other Cabinet members. Learn more about Kevin and other appointees online here. Read Attick's and Thompson's Q&A online here.

Gov. Wes Moore Releases $69 Million for Programs

The legislature authorized money last year and Moore recently announced it's direct use. Of the $9 million to support Climate Solutions Now Act, $375,000 will support the Maryland Healthy Soils Program. Learn more about other uses here.

Tractor College

Join us on February 3rd for the third and final Tractor College for 2023. This half-day educational event covers important safety topics for farmers and their employees. For the full agenda and to register click here.

We Are Here for YOU

Lindsay Thompson, [email protected], Executive Director

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

Marguerite Guare, [email protected], Administration

Jennifer Gannon, [email protected], Programs and PR Assistant

MGPA Legislative Update

Your membership dollars make it possible for Maryland Grain farmers to have representation in Annapolis during the legislative session. Our Executive Director, Lindsay Thompson serves as the voice for the best interest of Maryland grain farmers.

HB178 - State Designations - State Spirit - Maryland Rye

Delegate Reznik

Designating Maryland Rye or Maryland Rye Whiskey as the State spirit.



MGPA Supports HB178

HB230/SB224- Department of the Environment - Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Regulations (Clean Trucks Act of 2023)

Delegate Love

This bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to adopt regulations establishing requirements for the sale of new zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles in the State. The regulations may update existing regulations and incorporate by reference the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) vehicle standards, as revised and updated. “Heavy duty vehicle” means a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating equal to or greater than 26,001 pounds (lbs). A “medium duty vehicle” is a vehicle with a GVW rating of between 10,000 and 26,000 lbs.

MGPA opposes HB230/SB224

HB253/SB262 - Environment - On-Farm Composting Facilities - Permit Exemption

Delegate Shetty & Senator Gallion

Requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to exempt an on-farm composting facility from the requirement to obtain a permit if the on-farm composting facility uses 40,000 square feet of area or less for active food scrap composting, composts only certain materials, records the amount and source of the feedstock composted and the date and time the feedstock arrived on the farm, retains the records for 3 years, and meets any other condition for a permit exemption specified in regulations.

MGPA Supports HB253/SB262

HB319/SB158 - Pesticide Registration - PFAS Testing - Requirements

Delegate Stein & Senator Hettleman

Prohibiting, beginning January 1, 2024, the Secretary of Agriculture from registering a pesticide for use against mosquitoes in the State unless the distributor of the pesticide submits to the Department test results indicating the pesticide has passed the PFAS test and an affidavit attesting to the legitimacy of the PFAS test results; and prohibiting, beginning January 1, 2026, the Secretary from registering a pesticide for use in the State unless PFAS test results and a certain affidavit are submitted by the distributor.

MGPA opposed HB319/SB158

HB378/SB310 - Natural Resources - Black Bear Conflict Reduction and Damage Reimbursement Fund - Uses

Delegates Love, Lehman, and T. Morgan

Altering the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund to authorize grants from the Fund to be made for projects that reduce conflicts between black bears and humans; renaming the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund to be the Black Bear Conflict Reduction and Damage Reimbursement Fund; increasing the minimum and maximum amounts of reimbursement from the Fund per person annually authorized for damage caused by black bears; requiring the Governor to include at least $1,000,000 in the annual budget bill for the Fund.

MGPA supports HB378/SB310 with amendments to alter the limits on funding.

HB389/SB34 - Department of Agriculture - State Ombudsman for Value-Added Agriculture

Delegate T. Morgan & Senator Hester

Establishing the State Ombudsman for Value-Added Agriculture as a position in the Department of Agriculture.

MGPA Supports HB389/SB34

Ag, Elected Officials Scheming to Save Ailing Grain Elevator

As planting season approaches, Southern Maryland officials continue to discuss options to save an Anne Arundel County grain elevator that Perdue AgriBusiness plans to sell or shutter. Read the full article for a full update here.

NBGA Announces Lawsuit Against Biden Administration WOTUS Rule

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association filed a lawsuit against the EPA challenging the Biden administration's final "Waters of the U.S." rule. Chief Counsel, Mary-Thomas Hart said, "the rule removes longstanding, bipartisan exclusions for small and isolated water features on farms and ranches and adds to the regulatory burden cattle producers are facing under this administration." More here.

Farm and Harvest Episode 1006

Funded by the Maryland Grain Check-off, learn more about the research project the University of Maryland is working on. The team is breeding a new generation of wheat that they hope will better survive in Maryland's humidity and harsh winters. Watch the episode here.

Corn Growers Praise Biden Administration for Stance on Biotech Corn

The Biden administration issued an official rejection of a recently proposed compromise from Mexico on biotech corn imports into the country. USTR and USDA said the changes offered by Mexico, "are still not sufficient and Mexico's proposed approach, which is not grounded in science, still threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in producers and stifle important innovations needed to help producers response to pressing climate and food security challenges." More here.

Senate Ag Sets Four Farm Bill Hearings

The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled four hearings on farm bill issues, starting with a review next Wednesday of the trade and horticulture titles. Additional hearings will be held on Feb 9th on commodity programs, crop insurance and credit. Read the full article here.

Nutrien Ag Solutions and John Deere Announce Platform Connectivity

The companies have announced digital integration between John Deere's Operations Center and Nutrien Ag Solutions' Digital Hub. The goal of this release is to help growers by optimizing logistics and enabling variable rate agronomic recommendations to be sent to their equipment for execution to this integration to jointly develop precision ag solutions. Learn more online here.

Mark Your Calendar - UM Winter Crop Production Meetings

Save the date for the following agronomy meetings this winter. More information and registration can be found by contacting your local extension office.

• Harford County Mid-Winter Meeting - Feb 14th - call 410-638-3255
• Mid-Shore Agronomy Meeting - Feb 15th - call 410-479-4030
• Central MD Agronomy Update Meeting - Feb 22nd - more here.
• Queen Anne's Agronomy Meeting - Mar 3rd - more here.

Ag Law Workshops

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) has one more workshop on January 31st at Chesapeake College. The So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland workshops will be from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. More information can be found here.

Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Course

A 10-week course starting February 2nd is designed for people in Maryland who are considering or in the beginning stages of starting a farm as a business. Learn more and register online here.

Understanding Barriers to the Use of Agricultural Programs in MD

Join The Nature Conservancy and partners on February 3rd for a discussion related to understanding barriers to entry and the ability to access conservation programs in Maryland. Learn more and register for free here.

Power Couples Retreat

The University of Maryland Extension is calling all business-owning couples in the agriculture industry to gather in Annapolis on February 4th and 5th for a two-day workshop. Learn more about the event here and register online here.

MD NM Certification Exam

The Nutrient Management Certification Exam will be offered on Tuesday, February 7th at the Maryland Department of Agriculture. More information and registration can be found online here.

Women in Ag Regional Conference

The annual Women in Ag Conference is taking place in Easton, Maryland on February 16th. This one-day conference has a great lineup! Learn more here.

MD Annual Implementation Report

The 2022 Maryland AIR is due March 1st. To access the online form or download a form, click here.

Commodity Classic

The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held March 9-11, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Registration is currently open. Find the schedule of events and more information here.

MD Conservation Buffer Initiative

The 2023 signup period for MDA's Conservation Buffer Initiative is open until March 10th. New this year, qualifying farmers who plant forest buffers will receive a one-time $1,000/acre signing bonus on top of the incentive payment for this practice. For more information, read the press release here.

ARC/PLC Deadline

The election and enrollment period is now open and runs through March 15th. Producers can now make or change elections and enroll for the 2023 ARC or PLC program, providing future protections against market fluctuations. More here.

Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship 

The Maryland Grain Producers has three different scholarships this year. Applications are due January 31st. More information and eligibility requirements can be found here.

• Three $3,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree. 
• Two $2,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree. 
• Two $1,000 scholarships for non-GMPA members studying agriculture in a 2 or 4-year program. 

National Corn Growers Association Scholarship

NCGA is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences. Technical School/Community College, Academic Excellence, and Graduate Students. Applications are currently open and due January 31st. Learn more online here.

Mid-Atlantic CCA Scholarship

The 2023 scholarship application is currently open! Applications are due February 24th. This year, the Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers are offering two scholarships up to $1,000 each and financial assistance to take the CCA Exam free of cost, following graduation. Learn more and apply online here.

Delmarva Chicken Association Scholarship

Applications are being accepted for undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 and grade-degree scholarships of $3,000. Complete applications must be received no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, April 7th. Apply online here.

Mountaire Farm to Table Scholarship

Mountaire is offering a new "Farm to Table" scholarship for high school seniors with a passion for agriculture, the culinary arts, or related fields which support food production and feeding the world. Each month two students will be awarded and featured, nominations are ongoing and can be found online here.

Internships

Summer 2023 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Internship

Seeking law and undergraduate student applicants interested in careers in agriculture, environmental conservation, forestry, and/or policy for the 2023 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Summer Internship Program. Multiple students will be selected for their eight-week internship, which includes a competitive salary and the opportunity to interact with leaders from the agricultural and environmental communities as well as state agencies. Applications are due January 31st. Learn more here.

University of Maryland Internship Opening

The University of Maryland Extension created a summer internship program with seven interns annually paired with competent mentors; interns will gain hands-on experience and participate in leadership and professional development training. Learn more online here.

Mountaire Farms Internship

At the Millsboro location, Mountaire has five internship opportunities. Search interns online here to learn more and apply.

Perdue Internship

Perdue has internship opportunities available in Salisbury, Milford, Laurel, and Georgetown offering experience in legal work, tax prep, marketing, and much more! Check them out here.