A G N R - A G R I C U L T U R E A N D N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S
March/April 2013
Inside this issue:
T RACTOR S AFETY
T RAINING F OR Y OUTH
E QUIPMENT A UCTION
N EW P ESTICIDE
CERTIFICATION
F OOD F OR PROFIT
I RRIGATION S EMINAR
MDA C LARIFIES R ULES
FOR S MALL G RAINS
S MALL F ARMS
W
ORKSHOP
S
ERIES
C USTOM R ATE S URVEY
I
MPORTANT
D
ATES
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
B
ACKYARD
B
UFFERS 4
5
6
The University of Maryland Extension 4-H Staff is planning a weekend training, Friday-Sunday, March 15-17, 2013, to provide certification for youth wanting to work on a farm. Youth must be between the ages of 14 to 16 to take this training. Participants will stay at the Queen Anne’s
County 4-H Park in Centreville, Maryland and will have off site visits to local Tractor Dealers.
Federal law states that all 14-15 year old youth, who are seeking employment in the agriculture industry must receive the training as required by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Youth working on their own parent’s farm do not need to become certified unless they will be driving on the road with machinery. Agricultural producers are liable if they employ youth that do not have this certification. When youth become 16 ears of age, this law no longer applies to their employment. Go to http://www.nstmop.psu.edu/info.htm for details.
This class provides 24 hours of intensive training. A driving and written exam is included. A requirement of the class is to become familiar with the lessons covering various agricultural related safety needs before the training. Resources will be made available prior to the training. The weekend training will cost $30.00.
Contact Christine Johnston cjohnstn@umd.edu or 410-758
-0166 for a registration form or download from http:// queenannes.umd.edu. Return completed registration forms to Queen Anne’s County Extension Office, 505 Railroad
Ave. Suite 4, Centreville, MD 21617.
Somerset County Young Farmers will be hosting their 26th Annual Consignment
Auction at the Princess Anne Civic Center on Crisfield Lane Saturday, March 9
UME AGRICULTURE CONTACTS
Sudeep Mathew, Ag Educator
Vegetables, Grain Crops
Dorchester Office, 410-228-8800
Richard Nottingham , Ag Educator
Conventional Ag & Poultry
Somerset Office, 410-651-1350
Jessica Renshaw , Ag FEA
Livestock, Equine & Poultry
410-430-1140, 410-430-1254 or 410-651-3976.
Ginny Rosenkranz, Horticulture FEA
Commercial Horticulture
Wicomico Office, 410-749-6141
New pesticide certification training and testing for the Lower Eastern Shore counties will be held in March at the
Wicomico Extension Office. Pre-registration is required to ensure enough training materials. Contact Wicomico
Extension Office at 410-749-6141 to pre-register and for driving directions. Register early as space fills quickly.
March 6, 2013 Training Class 1-3pm
March 13, 2013 Testing Class 1-3pm
“University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression .”

Page 2 Lower Eastern Shore Agriculture Newsletter
You can now find Somerset, Wicomico, and
Worcester County Extension Offices on Facebook.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/WicoExtension and like us to keep updated with programs, workshops and happenings with Extension!
Have you ever been told that your favorite homemade bread, or salsa, is “good enough to sell?” Do you have additional fruit or vegetables from your farm or home garden that you would like to make into a commercial product? Penn State Extension’s Food for Profit is a one -day workshop designed to help you work through the maze of local and state regulations, food safety issues, and business management concepts that all must be considered in setting up a commercial food business. The course will be held at
Wor-Wic Community College, Route 50 and Walston Switch Road, Salisbury MD on Thursday, February 28,
2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This session of Penn State Extension’s popular course is co -sponsored by
Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center and University of Maryland Extension.
How Can Food for Profit Help Me? Food for Profit will take you step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process. It will provide you with the information and skills to determine if your idea will be something that will sell at a profit. Conducting a feasibility study (to see if yours is a good business idea), performing marketing research, and beginning to draft a business plan are a few of the concrete tools taught by certified instructors and business experts. By attending this class, you can learn how to evaluate the opportunities on paper before you look for funding or take action (saving money and time).
Who Should Attend the Course? If you want to develop the skills to be innovative and visionary in your business – to grow your food venture - you will enjoy and benefit from this course. If you’re searching for innovative ideas about how to get your enterprise off the ground, this program is for you!
Registration Information: Food for Profit will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm., on February 28, 2013 at the Workforce Development Center, Wor-Wic Community College, Route 50 and Walston Switch Road,
Salisbury MD. The tuition cost of $45 per person includes all materials and lunch. Registration is through the Penn State cvent on-line system at http://extension.psu.edu/food-for-profit, or by calling 717-270-
4391. For further information about workshop content, contact Extension Educator Winifred McGee, wwm1@psu.edu, 717-270-4391. Pre-payment and registration are required for this workshop. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
The summers on the Delmarva Peninsula seem to be growing warmer and dryer. More and more farmers are installing new center pivot irrigation systems. Whether it is a completely new system or replacing an aging system, advances in technology have made management decisions even more important. While yields under irrigation are higher than dryland crops, input costs such as fuel also increase. Simply having and running the irrigation is not a guarantee of increased production or profitability. The University of Maryland Extension will be hosting an Irrigation Seminar on
Tuesday March 5, 2013 starting at 9:00 am. The seminar will be held at the Sudlersville Methodist Church in
Sudlersville, Maryland following our normal Grain Marketing Meeting.
Speaking at the seminar will be James Adkins, irrigation engineer from the University of Delaware. James will be speaking on some basics of irrigation management as well as touching on some of the newer technologies. Also speaking will be Dr. Josh McGrath, Associate Professor from the University of Maryland. Josh will address issues with nutrient management on irrigated crops. Following the speakers, there will be time for questions and discussion.
Maryland nutrient applicator voucher credits and certified crop advisor credits have been applied for.
The workshop is free, but space is limited. Please register by contacting the Kent County Extension office at 410-778-
1661 or jdouthit@umd.edu. Workshop to be held at Sudlersville Methodist Church: 103 N. Church St. Sudlersville, MD.

Page 3 Lower Eastern Shore Agriculture Newsletter
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 14, 2013) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today clarified its guidelines concerning winter nutrient applications for farmers growing small grains. The guidelines apply to all farmers growing small grains, including those enrolled in the commodity option of the MDA Cover Crop Program administered through the
Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program.
BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP
Although the MACS contract agreement restricts nutrient applications to commodity cover
COMPREHENSIVE
WORKSHOP DESIGNED
TO BUILD BASIC crops before March 1, Maryland’s revised nutrient management regulations allow top dressing of small grains prior to March 1, under certain conditions, in accordance with University of Maryland nutrient recommendations. The regulations also include provisions which allow organic nutrient applications to be made in winter for certain crops, including
BEEKEEPING SKILLS FOR
THOSE INTERESTING IN
BEEKEEPING AND HONEY
PRODUCTION
COST: $45 PER PERSON small grains. MDA is modifying this particular MACS requirement this year in order to reduce confusion in light of its revised nutrient management regulations. Therefore, all farmers growing small grains –including those enrolled in the commodity option of the
MDA Cover Crop Program—may apply either commercial fertilizer or organic nutrient sources as early as February 15, in accordance with their nutrient management plans.
Manure applications made to small grains are not required to be incorporated consistent with the Department’s interpretation that the small grains are an existing crop simi-
(ADDITIONAL FAMILY
MEMBERS $10)
TIME: MARCH 13, 2013
9:00AM - 3:00PM
REGISTRATION:
CONTACT 410-430-3795
LOCATION:
28647 OLD QUANTICO
ROAD, SALISBURY, MD lar to hay and pasture and therefore exempt from the requirement to incorporate.
The regulations limit this green-up application that is allowed after February 15 to no more than 50 percent of the spring nitrogen recommendation and 50 percent of the application is done after growth stage Feekes 5-6 or 1350 growing degree days.
For additional information on MDA Cover Crop Program provisions, farmers should contact their local soil conservation district or the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-
Share (MACS) Program at 410-841-5864.
Questions about winter nutrient applications should be directed to the Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959.
Contact 410-651-6070 or kjparmar@umes.edu to register for the workshops listed below.
Solving the Social Media Puzzle
Saturday March 16, 2013 10:00am - 3:00pm Cost: $20.00
Kiah Hall, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Growing & Marketing Blackberries, Raspberries, & Blueberries on Less Than an Acre
Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:00am - 1:00pm Cost: $15.00
Fred “Butch” Wells, 8948 Athol Rd. Mardela Springs, MD 21837
Free Range Poultry and Egg Production
Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:00am - 12:00pm Cost: $15.00
Food Science and Technology Building, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Small Ruminant Integrated Parasite Management
Saturday, April 20, 2013 9:00am - 4:00pm Cost $20.00
Food Science and Technology Building, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Page 4 Lower Eastern Shore Agriculture Newsletter
The University of Maryland Extension is partnering with Maryland DNR Forest Service and the
Wicomico and Dorchester County Forestry Boards to offer free trees in celebration of Maryland Arbor
Day. Free trees will be given to all in attendance, but special tree packets will be given to landowners wishing to plant trees near water. The Backyard Buffers Program is designed to assist homeowners (with less than 5 acres of land) who have a stream or other waterway on or adjacent to their property to create a streamside buffer of native trees and shrubs.
Dorchester County Pick-up Location The Backyard Buffers Program provides a free “buffer in a
Date:
Time:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
9:00am to 12:00pm bag” to help get homeowners started in buffering their streamside. The buffer in a bag includes 20 native tree and scrub bare-root seedlings, approximately 1 to
Location: Cambridge Wal-Mart
2 feet in height, of various species that are well suited to streamside conditions.
The forestry Boards will be giving away trees to all in attendance, but Backyard
Wicomico County Pick-up Location
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: University of MD Extension
Office, Nanticoke Rd., Salisbury
Buffer trees will be reserved and distributed on a first come, first serve basis. The first 100 homeowners to register for each Lower Shore county will receive trees.
Contact 410-228-1861 (Dorchester County) or 410-543-1950 (Wicomico County) to sign up.
Join us again this summer as we make the best better at Thendara 4 -H Center!
An opportunity for experiential learning, self-growth, and life skills. 4-H Camp engages youth in activities offered in an enriching natural environment. Cost per camper is $350.00 and $75.00 for counselors. This price includes 5 days of camp, meals, lodging, activities, a camp t-shirt/backpack, charter bus rental/full day at
Tuckahoe State Park.

Financial and economic considerations such as limited capital, untimely cash flow, insufficient labor, small acreage or other reasons require farmers to hire custom service for field operations. Custom work charges are determined by demand and supply and are negotiated between farmers and custom operators. The purpose of Fact Sheet 683 is to pro-vide information on custom work charges in Maryland and to provide data to assist in decision making regarding purchasing equipment. Custom rates in this publication may not suit all custom operators and those hiring custom work. It is important that operators calculate their own custom costs. It is also important that farmers create their own budgets which include their variable costs and fixed costs and do not rely only on custom rates to determine their cost of production. FS 683 can be accessed online at: www.mdgrainmarketing.ume.edu
. Paper copies can be picked up at any University of Maryland Extension office.
March 11, 2013
8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Rain Date: March 14, 2013
Have you considered injecting your poultry manure? Now is your chance to come and see the poultry injector in action. Josh McGrath, UMD, will be on hand to discuss the benefits of injecting poultry manure and will be available to answer questions and explain the demonstration. Being held at Turners Creek Conservation Park,
Turners Creek Rd., Kennedyville, Maryland
For More Information Call:
Kent Soil and Water Conservation District: 410 778-5150, ext 3,
Sassafras River Association: 410 275-1400
Or University of Maryland Extension-Kent County 410-778-1661
As part of its ongoing mission to strengthen, support, and innovate agriculture in Maryland, The Maryland
Agricultural Resource Council (MARC) is pleased to host a free grant writing workshop presented by the
Northeast SARE. The workshop is designed for farmers, ranchers, extension agents, researchers, students, and others with a vested interest in agriculture. Since 1988, SARE has funded more than 5,000 research and education projects exploring:
On-farm renewable energy
Pest and weed management
Pastured livestock & rotational grazing
No-till and conservation tillage
Nutrient management
Agroforestry
This is the only workshop of its kind planned in Maryland for 2013
DATE: March 14, 2013
TIME: 10:00am - 12:00pm
LOCATION: Baltimore County Center for Maryland
Agricuture and Farm Park (1114 Shawan Road,
Marketing
Sustainable communities
Cockeysville, MD 21030)
TO REGISTER: http://saregrantworkshop.eventbrite.com
For more information about SARE, visit http://www.sare.org/
Crop and livestock diversity and more!

3/1
3/2
3/5
4/6
3/9
3/6, 3/13
3/15-17
3/16
3/16
3/23
4/6-7
4/17
4/20
MD Cattle Industry Conv ention
- Hagerstown, MD airgrounds
Cooptastic
- Delaware State F
Irrigation Seminar
- Sudlersville, MD
Equipment Auction
- Princess Anne Civ ic Center
New Private Pesticide A pplicator Certification
- Salisbury
H Park
Tractor Safety Training
- Queen Anne’s 4-
Social Media Workshop
- UMES uet - Sharptown
Wicomico Farm Bur eau Annual Banq
Growing & Marketing
Workshop
- Mardela Springs
, MD
Free Range Poultry
& Egg Production Wor kshop airgrounds
- UMES
DE Horse Expo
- Delaware State F
DPI Booster Banquet
- Wicomico Civic C enter
Small Ruminate Paras ite Mgt Workshop
- UMES
Somerset Ext. Office ~ 30730 Park Drive ~ Princess Anne, MD 21853 ~ 410-651-1350 ~ Fax 410-651-0806
Wicomico Ext. Office ~ P.O.Box 1836 ~ Salisbury, MD 21802 ~ 410-749-6141 ~ Fax 410-548-5126
Worcester Ext. Office ~ P.O.Box 219~ Snow Hill, MD 21863 ~ 410-632-1972 ~ Fax 410-632-3023
Want to receive this newsletter electronically? E-mail jrenshaw@umd.edu and type LES AG Newsletter into the subject line. on t tensi
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