ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY OFFICE ● 97 DAIRY LANE ● GAMBRILLS, MD 21054 ● (410) 222-3906 ● FAX (410) 222-3909
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY OFFICE ● 6707 GROVETON DRIVE ● CLINTON, MD 20735 ● 301 868-8781 ● FAX 301 599-6714
Spring 2016
Dave’s Ramble
“Future Shock!” haunting words
orated by Orson Welles; the young
college student absorbs the 1972
documentary movie based on
Alvin Toffler’s bestselling book, alone
in the cubical, for the first time by
Beta cassette in Hornbake library.
Future was here, and had already
“freight trained” this mere mortal
freshman. With such a spirit thwarting doom and gloom
from elders; could optimism prevail?
The Crops Master cried out, as he relived the horrible
tale in his mind. “Of Course! This perplexing societal grip
of our psyche, rendering such a gut wrenching anxiety over
our food, could only be attributed to Ag Shock!”
The farmers appeared puzzled by the Crops Master
outcry. “Let your hearts be not troubled, assured the
Crops Master. The old and young alike have been afflicted
with Ag Shock, but remove any pessimism from
yourselves.”
“I am convinced that a generation of agriculturalist will
rise up to not only feed the 9 Billion inhabitants of our
earth by 2050, but will feed 14 Billion with ease. How you
may ask? A worldwide, Green Revolution II led by Gen Ag
will need bigger barns. This new generation of farmers will
sow and reap food security, with the best science and
commitment to our health, and our planet’s. Crop fields,
orchards, meadows, pastures, gardens, greenhouses will
encompass us like a rich cashmere throw. Rich yielding
soil, to the pavements edge in our cities, a hundred-fold.”
“It will become a civic responsibility to be a farmer, all
mankind will enlist; No job considered menial. We will be
awash with the early and latter rains.
Clear, cool waters will fill our beloved
Chesapeake. In that day, even our
elders will be optimists, and as for our
current Ag Shock; it will pass away into
the history books.
Calendar of Events
Mark Your Calendars -- Plan To Participate
♦ May 24 - Small Grains Twilight, Wye REC, Queenstown
♦ May 25 - Strawberry Twilight, Wye REC, Queenstown
Inside This Issue
♦ Vegetable Crop Insect Management
♦ Agronomic Crop Insect Management
♦ Agronomy News
♦ Southern High FFA Annual Car, Truck & Tractor Show
♦ AAEDC Farm to Fork
♦ AA County Farmers Market Open for the Season
♦ Ward 8 Farmers Market seeking Vendors
♦ Master Gardeners What's New on the HGIC Site
Ask MD Garden Experts
Grow It, Eat It
Becoming a Master Gardener
♦ "Call Before You Cut"
♦ MDA News & Highlights
Maryland Farm to School
Preliminary Data on Soil Phosphorus Levels
New Specialty Crop Grants Program
New Invasive Plant Regulations
Animal Health Requirements for 2016 Season
No Bull About It - Manure Happens
Protect Local Waterways & the Chesapeake Bay
♦ Maryland Agriculural Highlights
♦ USDA News Record Growth in US Organic Producers
New GroupGAP for Produce Industry
News Releases
Counterfeit N95 Respirators on the market
♦ Maryland Value Added Producer marching grants from MARBIDCO
♦ EPA News Takings Steps to Protect Workers from Paraquat
Distribution of Mouse and Rat Control Pr4oduct Ends
Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture
University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all 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.
SPRING MEETINGS
Vegetable Crop Insect Management
Mark your calendars now and plan to be a
part of the Spring meetings .
Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist jwhalen@udel.edu
Asparagus
Be sure to scout for asparagus beetle adults and eggs on
newly emerged spears. Feeding by beetles can disfigure
spears. Depending on the market, the presence of eggs
on the spears can make them unmarketable. As a
general guideline, a treatment is recommended if 2% of
the spears are infested with eggs or if 5% of the plants
are infested with adults.
Mastering Marketing:
Who' s the Boss
Mastering Marketing - April 2016: Who's the Boss
has been posted on the web. To access the article click on the
link below:
http://extension.umd.edu/learn/who%E2%80%99sboss
Cabbage
Continue to scout fields for imported cabbage worm and
diamondback larvae. Low levels of larvae can now be
found. Sprays will be needed before they move deep into
the heads. As a general guideline, a treatment is
recommended if you find 5% of the plants infested with
larvae.
If you have any questions or comments about this article or
have clients or colleagues that would value receiving it as well,
please contact Ginger S. Myers at gsmyers@umd.edu or Susan
Barnes at sbarnes6@umd.edu
Small Grains Twilight Tour
Peas
Continue to sample fields for aphids. The continued cool
weather favors increases in populations. On small plants,
you should sample for aphids by counting the number of
aphids on 10 plants in 10 locations throughout a field. On
larger plants, take 10 sweeps in 10 locations. As a general
guideline, a treatment is recommended if you find 5-10
aphids per plant or 50 or more aphids per sweep. When
sampling dry land peas, you may want to reduce the
threshold, especially if they become drought stressed.
Wye Research and Education Center
May 24, 2016 at 5:00pm
Attendees will be able to look at barley and wheat variety trails,
disease plots, triticale as a cover crop and small grain pests.
Wye Research and Education Center
Annual Strawberry Twilight Meeting.
Wednesday. May 25, 2016 6:00 PM until dark
Potatoes
As soon as plants emerge, be sure to sample fields for
Colorado potato beetle adults, especially if an at-planting
material was not used. The first emerged adults can now
be found. A treatment should not be needed for adults
until you find 25 beetles per 50 plants and defoliation has
reached the 10% level
Join us for these interesting topics:
- See the 2nd production year of the Plastic-culture Variety
Trial and discuss results from the first year with Mike Newell.
Samples of the varieties will be available for tasting.
- See and discuss with Cassandra Swett and Emmi Koivunen
their projects on: Organic disease fungicide trials for
strawberry fruit rot and using compost, chitin and cover crop
amendments to improve soil health and suppress pathogen
overwintering.
- Hear the latest on wireless technology for monitoring and
irrigation management. John Lea-Cox and Bruk Belayneh will
discuss the latest results of their deficit irrigation trials.
Sweet Corn
The earliest planted fields should be scouted for
cutworms. A number of cutworm species may be present
at planting, including the black cutworm, dingy cutworm
and clay backed cutworm. Regardless of the species,
treatments should be applied for cutworms if you find 3%
cut plants or 10% leaf feeding. Please refer to the
Commercial Vegetable Recommendations for suggested
chemical controls.
2016 Mid-Atlantic
Commercial Vegetable
Production
Recommendations
New "Maryland Grain" Page!
A new "Maryland Grain" page. The Maryland Grain Page
will provide Extension and Research activities for agronomic
crops. Resources include agronomy news, agronomy
meeting recordings and other production related information.
http://extension.umd.edu/grain
2
Agronomic Crop Insect Management
Time to get out in your wheat fields.
Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist
jwhalen@udel.edu
From Dr. Nathan Kleczewski’s recent blog post
regarding Striped Rust:
The fungus produces yellow to orange pustules that will rub off on
your hands, leaving a rusty residue. Often the pathogen will form
pustules in strips following the leaf veins (Figure 1). Under cool wet
conditions the pathogen can spread rapidly on susceptible varieties.
If stripe rust is detected, applications of a premix fungicide at early
flag leaf will provide excellent control, provided that significant
infections have not already occurred. Fungicides containing a
strobilurin – (QoI, Group 11) fungicides should not be applied later
than Feekes 8/9. Make sure you scout your fields and assess it for
diseases before pulling the trigger. Look for foliar disease symptoms
on upper, green foliage. In addition to stripe rust, look for leaf
blotch complex (tan spot, Stagonospora) and powdery mildew.
Temperatures have been colder than optimal for these diseases of
late, but it is always best to check to see
if diseases are present and where they are located in the canopy.
In dense canopies the microclimate can differ from the ambient
conditions, sometimes
promoting disease.
http://extension.udel.edu/fieldcropdisease/2016/04/13/stripe- rustupdate/
Please send any pictures to me or Dr. Kleczewski at his email or
302-300-6962.
Alfalfa
Continue to scout fields for both alfalfa weevil and pea aphids.
Both can be found in fields throughout the state. Fields should be
scouted for these two insect pests until the first cutting.
Examine 5‐10 stems for damage and weevil larvae until damage
or larvae are found on the plants. Once larvae are found, a
decision to treat should be based on collecting a minimum of 30
stems throughout a field and checking for the number of larvae
per stem. The following thresholds, based on the height of the
alfalfa, should be used as a guideline when making a treatment
decision for alfalfa weevil: (a) up to 11 inches tall – 0.7 per stem;
(b) 12 inches tall – 1.0 per stem; (c) 13 to 15 inches tall – 1.5 per
stem; (d) 16 inches tall – 2.0 per stem and (e) 17 to 18 inches tall
– 2.5 per stem. The following thresholds should be used as a
guideline when making a treatment decision for aphids : (a) alfalfa
less than 10 inches tall treat if you find 40-50 aphids per stem,
and (b) alfalfa 10 inches or taller in height treat if you find 75- 100
per stem.
Small Grains
Low levels of cereal leaf beetle adult (eggs and small
larvae), armyworms and grass sawfly larvae have been found in an
occasional field in Kent and Sussex counties. Cereal leaf beetle
populations are often unevenly distributed within a field so it is
important to carefully sample so that you do not over or under
estimate a potential problem. Eggs and larvae are also found on
leaves near the ground so careful examination of the entire plant is
critical. The treatment threshold is 25 eggs and/or small larvae per
100 tillers/stems, with more larvae than eggs present to justify a
spray. More information on sampling and treatment thresholds for
grass sawfly and true armyworm can be found at the following
link: http://extension.udel.edu/factsheets/grass-sawfly-and-truearmyworm-management-in-small-grains/
2016 Disease and Nematode
Management in Field Crops
The 2016 Disease and Nematode Management in
Field Crops guide is attached to this email or
available for download here: http:/go.umd.edu/3nu.
2016 Mid-Atlantic Field Crop
Weed Management Guide
Get your brand new 2016 Mid-Atlantic Field Crop Weed Management
Guide while it’s hot! This is a new publication that
provides
strategies and herbicide tables for managing weeds in corn,
sorghum, soybeans, small grains, legumes, grass forages, and
pastures. This regional guide was produced by specialists from Penn
State, University of Delaware, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech,
and West Virginia University. It includes specific management
information that includes all the new herbicide recommendations
plus a problem weed section that addresses burcucumber, henbit,
horsenettle, horseweed/marestail, Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,
common pokeweed, common and giant ragweed, and annual/Italian
ryegrass. The Guide is available in hardcopy for $20, as an enhance
PDF for $10, or in combination for $25. The how-to-order
information and a few sample pages of the interactive for sale PDF
at
http://extension.psu.edu/publications/agrs136. Or to order, Contact
the Publications Distribution Center. Call toll-free 877- 345-0691
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
April 2016 - Volume 7, #1
Thef i r s t e d i t i o n of the 2016 Agronomy News is now on the web
and can be obtained here:http://go.umd.edu/3ym.
In this edition you will find updates on freeze damage, resistant
ragweed, disease and weather.
If you would like to be added to the email distribution list for
Agronomy News, you can sign up here:
https://extension.umd.edu/grain/agronomy-news
Crop School Recordings
Recordings of the Mid-Atlantic Crop School are now on-line.
You may view presentations about soil fertility, pesticide application
and much more.
To view any of the presentations, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UCfQY-qgNjjIC1Wi0043Zvrg
3
Anne Arundel County Farmers' Markets
Opening for the Season
Southern High School FFA Alumni Annual
Car, Truck and Tractor Show- April 30
Please join us for
Southern High School
FFA Alumni's 3rd Annual
Car, Truck and Tractor
Show. All proceeds from
this show support the
students enrolled in the
Agriculture Science
Program and the FFA at
Southern High School. In past years, we have raised over
$9000, allowing us to fund scholarships and grants to these
well deserving students. Your participation will help us to
continue to assist these future leaders in agriculture in this
way.
The Anne Arundel County Farmers Market on Riva Road will
kick off the growing season
for farmers markets in Anne
Arundel County on Saturday,
April 2. The market will be
open every Saturday from 7
am – 12 noon and Sunday
from 10 am - 2p m through
December.
Customers can expect to find a wide variety of locally
produced agricultural products at Anne Arundel County
Farmers Markets including: organic options, seasonal produce,
prepared foods, milk, yogurt, cheese, beef, pork, chicken,
eggs, baked goods, jams, candies, soaps, jewelry, fermented
foods, wine, and herbal products.
The show will again take place at the Greene Turtle at 3212
Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037. Registration is
from 10am - 12pm. Awards will be at 2pm. The registraton
fee is $15 per participant. Rain Date May 1st, 10am - 3pm
There will be trophies for the Top 30. Dash plaques and
goodie bags for the first 100 registrants, fantastic door
prizes, 50/50 raffle, silent auction and a bake sale including
our signature strawberry shortcakes, fresh homemade pies
and brownies.
Anne Arundel County Farmers markets are producer only
markets. Sesonal products available for this time of year
include early season bedding plants, potted plants, hanging
baskets, herbs, and spring vegetables such as lettuce,
spinach, onions and other greens. As the season progresses, a
much wider variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants will
be available.
Vendors welcome! For more information email
dcriste811@aol.com or call 410-353-7258. See the Southern
High FFA Alumni Facebook page for weather updates and
other info.
Riva is the first of six farmers markets opening in Anne
Arundel County this year. Click here for the 2016 Anne
Arundel County Farmers' Market Schedule.
AAEDC Farm to Fork- May 19
Ward 8 Farmer’s Market in Washington,
DC seeking vendors for our 2016 season
Enjoy the view of the South River
and experience the beauty of
Historic London Town & Gardens.
Sip and savor the taste of locally
produced appetizers prepared by
Anne Arundel County's certified
Environmental Stewardship Restaurants.
The season will begin June 4 and operate every Saturday from
9 am to 2 pm until November 19. We have an exciting new
location right next to our school garden.
There is no charge for vendors to participate, and we have a
buyback program that guarantees income for our farmers.
Each week we will buy each farmer's unsold produce up to
$250 and donate the food to partner organizations who are
fighting hunger in DC.
This event will bring the farm to your fork with the following
participating restaurants: Killarney House, Lures Bar & Grille,
Blackwall Hitch, Azure, Herrington on the Bay, Soul and
Skippers Pier. Great Frogs Winery and Chesapeake Brewing
Company will be sampling and selling wine and beer
respectively. Please click here to register.
This is a great opportunity for smaller growers and those who
want to share their produce with an undeserved population.
Please share this announcement with farmers in your area
who might be interested. Contact Nathan Harrington at
ward8fm@gmail.com or 301-758-5892.
4
Anne Arundel County
University of Maryland Extension
What’s new on the HGIC site:
•
•
•
Become a Master Gardener
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are volunteer representatives of the
University of Maryland who are trained to educate
citizens about effective and sustainable horticultural
practices. Master Gardeners offer landscaping problemsolving through demonstration projects, partnerships
with other organizations, and public outreach activities.
New frontpage layout and organization of
information to make finding easier to find.
New Earth-Friendly section - Whys and how-tos of
sustainable gardening using Best Practices that are
good for you and the environment.
2016 Year of the Tomato page features videos,
tips, problem solving, and cultivar
recommendations to get you ready for this
growing season.
We send out a monthly email newsletter to over 5000
subscribers with seasonal tips, articles, event reminders, and
videos. We could use your help pointing your clientele to our
sign up link or you can download and print out this sign up
sheet to keep in your office. Scan and email, or fax it (410531-5567) to us, and we can add more gardeners to our list!
Training
Participants earn the title of Master Gardener by
completing 40 hours of training by University of
Maryland Extension professionals and 40 volunteer
hours.
To apply for Master Gardener training, complete the
Master Gardener Volunteer Application and mail it to
the Anne Arundel County Extension office. For more
information about the program or to request an
application form, please phone the Anne Arundel
County Extension office at 410-222-3906.
Supported by Extension Specialists in
fruits and vegetables, plant
pathology, and entomology, the
Center provides free, researchbased, sustainable gardening information. Users can find info
on the website OR send questions and upload digital images
via the Ask the Gardening Experts widget on our website.
Questions are answered by our staff of seasoned Certified
Professional Horticulturists, usually within 48 hours.
Next Training Program
The Anne Arundel County Master Gardener Program is
now accepting applications for the Fall 2016 training
program. Applications must be received by August 1,
2016. The 2016 training will be held from 6:00-9:00
PM on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from
September 13-November 1, 2016 at the Anne Arundel
County Extension Office. The cost is $250.
Through the Grow It Eat It
program, Master Gardeners
provide information and activities promoting environmentally
sound food- gardening practices. We run a popular food
gardening blog with posts from many regular Maryland food
gardening contributors about their gardens, techniques, and
experiences growing food. View our 2016 class schedule.
5
Thinking About
a Timber Sale?
Now You Can
"Call Before You Cut"
The Spring 2016 issue is attached as a PDF, and is also
available through our website below.
Branching Out Vol. 24, No. 1 ~ Spring 2016 URL:
http://extension.umd.edu/news/newsletters/spring-2016
B r a n c h i n g O u t , Maryland’s Forest Stewardship Education
newsletter, is published four times per year by University of
Maryland Extension
provides educational
information, current news and events and is intended to
reach anyone interested in forest stewardship including
landowners and natural resource professionals.
You can review past issues of Branching Out by visiting
http:// extension.umd.edu/publication-series/branching-out
Maryland has more than 2.5 million acres of woodlands, and
the majority are owned and managed by private landowners.
Many understand that successfully managing their property
occasionally means cutting some trees for the overall health
of the woods, but may have little knowledge about how best
to do so. Now they have access to a free program that can
help them make informed decisions about the timber
harvesting process. The “Call Before You Cut” program offers
professional assistance to landowners considering timber
sales. Landowners can receive complimentary information by
visiting the website www.callb4ucut.com/maryland and
selecting “Request Info,” or by calling 301-432-2767,
extension 315.
PINEMAP releases Decision Support Tool
The PINEMAP Decision
Support System is a new
southern regional tool that
uses climate data and pine
productivity models to guide
future forest management
decisions.
This tool is based on nearly 5 years of recent research and
more than 30 years of data on climate and southern pine
plantation management. Data from these studies are linked
to state of the art climate models and specific location to
allow the user to find out what environmental conditions are
likely to be in the future, and how they may impact forest
growth and productivity. Read More
Call Before You Cut began in Ohio in 2006, has since grown
to include states as far west as Missouri and as far north as
Minnesota. In Maryland, the program is coordinated by the
University of Maryland Extension, with support from a dozen
conservation and land management partners across the
state. Call Before You Cut encourages sustainable harvesting
of timber, supports the use of professional foresters,
facilitates the development of forest stewardship plans, and
promotes use of Master Loggers to minimize impacts of
timber harvests on forests and the state’s valuable soil and
water resources.
Climate, Forests
& Woodlands
Community of
Practice
launches new
website
According to Jonathan Kays, Extension Forester with the
University of Maryland Extension, “Having a credible
information source that targets the nuts-and-bolts of timber
harvesting can be a real asset for landowners when they need
timely information concerning a harvest decision.”
The Call Before You Cut program will help woodland property
owners achieve their management goals and help ensure the
health of their forests for the coming years and future
generations. Visit www.callb4ucut.com/maryland to learn
more.
The Climate, Forests and Woodlands extension Community
of Practice is excited to announce their new website, found
at www.climateforestswoodlands.org. This site is a gateway
to all the science-based information housed on extension
and offers a user-friendly interface for connecting to their
blog, social network sites, partners, resources, and more.
The CFW is the sister site to the Climate Learning Network.
Keep checking back because new features and content will
be added regularly! Read More
6
relationship between health and local agriculture.”
This year’s Farm to School Census contains data collected
during the 2013-14 school year. This is the second such
census conducted by the USDA to determine the program’s
reach and activity level. The first census was conducted in
2011-2012.
Every school district participating in the program purchased
local vegetables. Ninety-six percent purchased fruits; 59
percent purchased dairy; and 22 percent purchased
meat/poultry. Every participating school district reported that
it always served local products at lunch, 70 percent at
breakfast, 33 percent at supper, 26 percent with snacks and
30 percent served through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
program. Fifty- two percent of the districts surveyed plan to
increase local food purchases in the future.
Maryland Schools Among Top-Ten
Spending the Most on Fresh, Local Foods
USDAFarm to School Census shows
Maryland schools doubled local investment
Annapolis, MD (March 23, 2016) – Maryland ranks among
the top ten states spending the most—23 percent of its
school food budget—on local food products, according to the
USDA’s recently released Farm to School Census. Together,
Maryland schools spent $18 million on local food products
during the 2013-14 school year year—more than double the
amount recorded in the previous census.
Nationwide, 42 percent of school districts reported having an
existing farm to school program, with another 16 percent
committed to launching one in the future. At the national
level, schools purchased and served more than
$790 million in local food—a 105 percent increase from the
previous census.
Find out how your school district responded:
https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/find-your- schooldistrict/maryland
Ninety-five percent of the state’s school districts participated
in the survey and 68 percent reported that they participate in
Farm to School programs. The target survey included
primarily public, private, and charter school districts which
receive federal funding from the USDA Child Nutrition
programs
For more information about Maryland’s Farm to School
program, visit: www.marylandfarmtoschool.org. For
information on the school meals programs, visit:
www.eatsmartmaryland.org. More on the benefits of buying
local is available online.
“It is very encouraging to see Maryland schools and
Maryland farms working together and making progress,”
said state Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Farm to
School programs provide nourishment to school children and
boost our local ag economies. This is a great example of
how we can all work together to invest in and strengthen our
communities.”
The Farm to School Program encompasses all efforts to bring
locally produced foods into school cafeterias, including
hands- on learning activities such as farm visits and
integrating foodrelated nutrition and
agricultural lessons
into the standardsbased classroom
curriculum. Staff from
the Maryland
Department of
Agriculture’s Farm to
School Program and
the Maryland State
Department of Education, work together throughout the year
to link schools with local farms.
For more information about the USDA Farm to School program
including the Census, visit
www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool.
Training workshops for On-Farm
Poultry and Rabbit
Processing Certification
Scheduled for April 29
To help farmers meet growing consumer demand for local
meats, the Maryland Department of Agriculture will conduct a
training workshop for on-farm poultry and rabbit slaughter and
processing. The training will be held Friday, April 29, from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. at Md. Dept. of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman
Parkway, Annapolis. The fee is $20 and includes lunch and
materials. Pre-registration is required. Check-in begins at
8:30a.m.
Workshop participants will learn to recognize diseases of public
health concern, take basic biosecurity measures,
write and implement basic Standard Sanitary Operating
Procedures, develop Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Point plans, and properly dispose of offal and waste water.
"For students, and for everyone else, fresh, local foods can
turn a mundane meal into flavorful feast,” said Interim State
Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith. “Maryland’s Farm
to School movement enhances the quality and appeal of our
nutritious school meals and educates students on the
To download a copy of the registration form, click here.
7
Agriculture Department Releases
Preliminary Data on Soil
Phosphorus Levels
Soil Data Collected forFirst Time Statewide
as a Result ofPMT Regulations
“The soil test data submission is a new requirement of the
department resulting from the Phosphorus Management
Tool regulations,” said Assistant Secretary for Resource
Conservation Hans Schmidt. “The department is contacting
those who have not submitted data so we can have a
complete picture of soil health in Maryland.”
While 18 percent of farmland is impacted by the PMT
regulations, most farm fields are not at risk for phosphorus
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 14, 2016) – The Maryland
loss and may still benefit from manure as a crop fertilizer.
Department of Agriculture today announced that based on
Two thirds of farm fields on the Lower Eastern Shore have
statewide soil test information 82 percent of farm fields tested soil phosphorus levels that will require use of PMT and 11
to date will not be impacted by new environmental regulations, percent or 8,700 acres on the Lower Eastern Shore are
which may limit phosphorus application or the use of animal
restricted from any phosphorus application. However, every
manure as a fertilizer. Eighteen percent of farm fields will
region in Maryland has at least a few hundred farm acres
require use of the phosphorus management tools to evaluate
with soil phosphorus levels over 500 FIV – prohibiting further
risk. Only 1 percent of all farm fields are immediately banned
phosphorus application.
from applying phosphorus crop fertilizer. The phosphorous in
The following summarizes the Soil Phosphorus Fertility Index
poultry and dairy manure will impact its use as a crop nutrient
in these situations.
Value (FIV) statewide data results compiled to date from
“We are pleased that we finally have real, accurate soil
phosphorus data from cropland across the state and not
estimates or formulas based on modeling scenarios. In the long
term, this data, which will be regularly collected, will enable
the department to track progress as farmers implement the
PMT and additional best management practices on their
farms,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “This data
collection will also guide the department to ensure we have
the resources needed to provide financial and technical
support for farmers to implement the PMT.”
The Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) is an updated tool
that uses the latest scientific findings to identify the potential
risk of phosphorus loss from farm fields and prevent the
additional buildup of phosphorus in soils that are already
saturated. Farms that are over certain thresholds must utilize
the PMT to evaluate risk and determine if they are limited in
how much phosphorous can be applied to their fields. The PMT
regulations are being phased in over several years to give
farmers time to modify their management practices. High soil
phosphorus levels are more likely to occur on fields where
manure or poultry litter has been applied as a crop nutrient
over an extended period. The PMT regulations went into effect
June 2015 and are part of the state’s Watershed
Implementation Plan to restore the Chesapeake Bay, as
required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The data is based on analysis from 875,622 acres compiled to
date throughout the state and show 82 percent of farmland in
Maryland has soil phosphorus levels that fall below PMT
thresholds. These fields, according to soil tests, have a Fertility
Index Value under
150. Poultry litter and dairy manure can be applied as fertilizer
to these fields in accordance with Maryland’s nutrient
management regulations. The acreage reported to date
represents about 70 percent of farmland required to submit
soil phosphorus data to the department.
Marylandfarmland:
•
•
•
•
•
FIV less than 150: 82 percent (714,162 acres) –
These fields are not required to run PMT.
FIV 150-299: 13 percent (115,557 acres)
FIV 300-450: 4 percent (30,683 acres)
FIV 450-499: 0.6 percent (4,780 acres)
FIV greater than 500: 1.2 percent (10,441 acres) –
These fields are banned from applying phosphorus.
Click here for a chart of soil phosphorus levels by region.
A spreadsheet of FIV levels broken down by county is
available here.
The PMT economic impact study conducted by Salisbury
University in 2014 used information provided by the
Maryland Department of Agriculture that was based on
University of Maryland comparisons of the original risk
management tool (the Phosphorus Site Index) with the
PMT. The university information was based on 391 data
points and projected a percent change in high risk fields by
region. The department assumed all manure available in a
county was applied to cropland in that county, a worst case
scenario. Using the manure available in each county
multiplied by the percent of estimated change in FIV level
for that county, 228,000 tons of poultry litter were
projected to require alternative management. The data
released today reflects nearly 57,000 farm field soil samples
statewide and gives a more accurate picture of soil
phosphorus fertility index levels in Maryland. Soil samples
must be no older than three years and some farmers and
consultants are currently in the process of updating
information by collecting and analyzing soil samples to
update farm nutrient management plans.
For more information on the Phosphorus Management
Tool, visit: www.mda.maryland.gov/pmt.
8
Md. Dept. of Agriculture announces
New Specialty Crop Grant Program
Application Deadline is May 18th
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 18, 2016) – The Maryland
Department of Agriculture has announced a competitive grant
program to fund projects designed solely to enhance the
competitiveness of local specialty crops. The department will
administer $325,000 in reimbursement grants to projects
focusing on food safety, market enhancement and pest
management. The minimum amount of funding per project is
$15,000.
The department intends to fund projects that can produce the
highest degree of measurable benefits to Maryland specialty
crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Successful
applicants will need to have support from specialty crop
producers, as well.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must be a Maryland
resident or affiliated with a business or organization within
the state. Electronic grant applications must be submitted by
4pm on May 18.
Weed risk assessments are ongoing, and additional plant
species will be added to the lists through the regulatory
process as they are completed and approved. These sciencebased assessments are the foundation for decisions regarding
a plant’s invasive status in the state.
“We understand that invasive plants are a very real concern
for land mangers. The purpose of the purpose of these
regulations—and the Maryland Invasive Plant Law—is to
address invasive plant species that could potentially be sold or
distributed in Maryland,” said Holko. “We look forward to
working with the various impacted stakeholder groups through
outreach materials and activities, and through our nursery
inspection program.”
The full assessment reports are available on the
program’s website.
Maryland Department of
Agriculture Reissues Animal
Health Requirements for 2016
Fair & Show Season
Visit the department’s website to download the application.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Karen Fedor
(karen.fedor@maryland.gov, 410-841-5773) to discuss their
proposal.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 29, 2016): With winter over
and warmer weather on the way, the Maryland Department
of Agriculture has reissued its poultry health requirements for
the 2016 fair and show season. High Path Avian Influenza (or
“Bird Flu”) is a wintertime disease. With temperatures
warming up, the requirements have been changed to reflect
the reduced threat.
Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits,
horticulture, and nursery crops. The Specialty Crop Block
Grant Program was established by the 2014 Farm Bill.
New Invasive Plant Regulations
in Effect April 11
However, if HPAI is diagnosed anywhere in the midAtlantic region or Atlantic flyway, all 2016 poultry
fairs and shows will be cancelled.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 1, 2016) – A Notice of Final Action
for the Maryland Invasive Plant Regulations was published in
today’s Maryland Register . The regulations will go into effect
April 11.
These regulations establish lists of Tier 1 and Tier 2 invasive
plants, and require signage be placed near retail displays of
Tier 2 plants. The regulations also describe mechanisms for
listing and delisting invasive species, procedures for the
disposal of Tier 1 plants, and an outline of conditions under
which the Secretary’s approval may be given for otherwise
prohibited activities.
The department’s overall goal is to prevent invasive species
from entering or spreading further in the state.
“The mandatory signage is a novel approach to invasive plant
regulation that will help consumers make educated decisions
about their plant choices,” said Assistant Secretary for Plant
Industries and Pest Management Carol Holko. “We remain
committed to preventing the introduction and spread of
invasive plants, and reducing the impacts of established
invasive plants where it makes sense.”
The re-issued requirements are listed below.
•
•
•
•
9
After May 15, 2016, all Maryland poultry fairs and
shows can keep and show poultry for the duration of
their exhibition – not just for one day, which was
originally announced.
All poultry, including domestic waterfowl, can be
shown, and all wildlife and petting zoo displays will
be allowed.
Eggs can be shown if cleaned and sanitized.
The new Maryland Certificate of Veterinary
Inspection Form will continue to be used. This CVI
replaces both Interstate and Intrastate forms in
Maryland; however, under these re-issued
requirements, the CVI will be valid for 120 days for
exhibitions, not the 90 days as originally issued.
•
•
•
In state and out of state testing requirements for avian
influenza and Pullorum/Typhoid will remain the same. For
avian flu, all poultry except pigeons and doves must be
tested within 10 days, up to 30 birds, prior to entry or
originate from a NPIP AI clean flock or a state AI
monitored flock.
For Pullorum/Typhoid, all poultry except waterfowl, pigeons
and doves must be test negative for Pullorum/Typhoid
within 90 days prior to entry or originate from a U.S. NPIP
Pullorum/Typhoid Free flock.
Private sales remain prohibited.
The page provides links to additional resources available
for farmers, including grants, tax credits, technical
guidance and scientific research on the benefits of manure
as a crop fertilizer and soil amendment.
In addition, the website includes links to Maryland’s
nutrient management regulations and phosphorus
management initiative. MDA’s educational advertising
campaign includes a series of five ads with different
themes. Manure Happens—It’s No Bull explains the facts
of life on the farm in no uncertain terms. The ad features a
dairy cow in a spring bonnet welcoming the wonderful
aroma of spring and manure. The I Recycle ad describes
how farmers recycle manure resources using the latest
environmental practices. The Looks Can Be Deceiving ad
shows a stockpile of poultry litter that has been crusted
over to protect against rainwater runoff. All five ads direct
readers the department’s Manure Resources page at
mda.maryland.gov/manure.
“I strongly encourage every Maryland fair and show to develop
sound biosecurity plans to prevent the spread of contagious
and infectious diseases before, during, and after each
exhibition,” said Maryland State Veterinarian Michael W.
Radebaugh.
Update links: For details, please see the reissued 2016
Maryland Animal Health Fair and Show Requirements. More
information is available on the department’s Fairs and Shows
webpage.
No Bull About It
Manure Happens
MDA Reminds Marylanders
to Protect Local Waterways
and the Chesapeake Bay
by Following Lawn Fertilizer Law
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 14, 2016)
Now that spring is here, the Maryland
Department of Agriculture reminds homeowners that they
can get their lawns and the Chesapeake Bay off to a healthy
start by following Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law and these
best management practices:
ANNAPOLIS, MD –
Now that spring is almost here, the Maryland Dept. of
Agriculture has launched a public education campaign to inform
citizens about what to expect as farmers begin to prepare their
fields for planting.
•
The campaign features a series of educational advertisements
that will run in newspapers and on mobile and social media sites
during the month of March. The purpose of the outreach effort is
to help citizens understand how farmers use manure as a
natural fertilizer and soil conditioner along with steps they must
take to prevent manure from impacting water quality in local
streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
“Centuries ago, farmers discovered that manure makes a great
fertilizer and soil conditioner,” said Maryland Agriculture
Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Today, farmers use a wide range of
practices to protect local waterways from nutrient runoff, while
following the latest environmental rules and guidelines,” he said.
Maryland’s new Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT)
regulations are being phased in over the next several years to
help farmers protect waterways from phosphorus runoff.
addition, Maryland’s nutrient management regulations prohibit
farmers from spreading manure on their fields in winter. March 1
is the first opportunity for farmers to recycle manure generated
over the winter as a crop fertilizer.
•
•
•
Skip the spring fertilizer, especially if your lawn is
healthy. Fertilizing lawns in spring promotes excessive
top growth at the expense of roots.
Sharpen lawnmower blades. A dull blade tears and
weakens the grass, opening it up to
disease. Removing the blade takes minutes and many
local hardware stores or garden shops can sharpen
your blade for you.
Raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass
shades out weeds and needs less water. A three inch
cut length is ideal for most lawns.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They provide free
fertilizer all season long.
I f you fertilize:
•
•
•
In addition to providing citizens with information on how farmers
recycle manure resources, the website offers resources for
farmers who currently use chemical fertilizers and are
considering making the switch to manure and farmers who sell
manure resources as part of their farm’s business model.
•
•
•
10
Follow the directions on the fertilizer bag.
Learn about soil testing. Visit
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic for seasonal and
yearly fertilizer recommendations.
Do not apply phosphorus to lawns unless a soil test
indicates that it is needed.
Clean up fertilizer that lands on sidewalks or other
impervious surfaces.
Keep fertilizer applications 10 to 15 feet from
waterways.
Do not apply fertilizer if heavy rain is predicted.
“Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from nutrient
runoff is everyone’s responsibility…it’s not just for farmers
anymore,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joseph
Bartenfelder. “The way we care for our lawns, like any crop,
makes a difference for the Bay. Everyone must do their part to
protect and restore our Bay.”
Nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are key
ingredients in lawn fertilizer. When it rains, fertilizer that has
been applied to lawns can wash into nearby storm drains and
streams that empty into the Chesapeake Bay. Once in our
waterways, fertilizer contributes to the growth of algae blooms
that block sunlight from reaching Bay grasses, rob the water of
oxygen, and threaten underwater life. Maryland's lawn fertilizer
law helps protect the Chesapeake Bay from excess nutrients
entering its waters from urban sources, including golf courses,
parks, recreation areas, businesses and hundreds of thousands
of lawns.
Fundamentals of
Nutrient Management Training
Course Set for June 2-3
A two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management PreCertification Training Course will be held June 2-3 at the
Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman
Parkway, Annapolis. The training provides participants with
an overview of material covered by the Maryland Nutrient
Management Certification Examination scheduled for
August 5. Topics include state nutrient management
regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil
science, and soil fertility recommendations. The nonrefundable registration fee is $125 and includes learning
materials and lunch. Register by mail by May 25. To
download the registration form, click here.
Under Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, lawn care professionals
must be licensed and certified by the Maryland Department of
Agriculture to apply fertilizer to the lawns that they
manage. This helps ensure that professionals understand the
science behind turf management and the environmental
practices they need to follow to protect waterways from excess
fertilizer. The department encourages homeowners to verify
that their lawn care provider is certified by visiting
www.mda.maryland.gov/fertilizer.
MDA Offers Certification Exams
and Recertification Classes for
Turf Grass Pros
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has posted a new
schedule of certification exams and recertification seminars
for turf grass professionals who must be licensed and
certified to apply fertilizer to lawns that they manage under
Maryland’s lawn fertilizer law. The law is designed to help
protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from excess
nutrients applied to lawns and other grassy areas. Visit the
department’s website for more information on dates and
registration.
Homeowners Reminded to Use Best Management When
Caring for Lawns with the arrival of warm weather, the
Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages
homeowners to use best management practices to
maintain and enhance the health and beauty of their lawns
and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
State Soil Conservation Committee
Meeting Set For April 21
The State Soil Conservation Committee has announced that its
next meeting will be held Thursday, April 21, at 9:30
a.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S.
Truman Parkway, Annapolis. The meeting is open to the public
and will focus on soil conservation and water quality program
implementation and policy development. Established in 1938,
the State Soil Conservation Committee coordinates the
activities of Maryland's 24 soil conservation districts, while
advising the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to soil
and water conservation. For more information, contact Louise
Lawrence, Executive Secretary, 410-841-5863.
Homeowners should sharpen lawnmower blades for a
clean cut, mow the grass high to shade out weeds and
conserve moisture, and remove no more than 1/3 of the
grass height at each mowing. In addition, grass clippings
should be left on lawns to provide free fertilizer. For more
tips and information on Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law, visit
the department’s website.
11
USDA has also established a number of resources to help
organics producers find technical and financial resources to
help them grow domestically and abroad. The site
www.usda.gov/organic creates a one-stop-shop for
operators, and USDA has made market and pricing
information for approximately 250 organic products available
free of charge through USDA's Market News. In 2015, USDA
made more than $11.5 million available to assist organic
operations with their certification costs.
USDA Reports Record Growth
In U.S. Organic Producers
The NOP maintains the list of organic operations and leads
activities that support organic integrity and market growth. In
addition, USDA helps organic stakeholders access programs
that support conservation, provide access to loans and
grants, fund organic research and education, and mitigate
threats from pests and diseases. USDA also administers
organic certification cost-share programs that offset the costs
of organic certification for U.S. producers and handlers.
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2016 – The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) today announced a significant increase in
the number of certified organic operations, continuing the
trend of double digit growth in the organic sector. According
to new data, there are now 21,781 certified organic
operations in the United States and 31,160 around the world.
"Organic food is one of the fasting growing segments of
American agriculture," said Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack. "As consumer demand for organic products continues
to grow, the USDA organic seal has become a leading global
standard. The increasing number of organic operations shows
that USDA's strong support for the vibrant organic sector is
helping to create jobs and opportunities in rural
communities."
The data announced today are publicly available as part of
the recently launched Organic Integrity Database, a
modernized system for tracking certified organic operations.
In the past, USDA published an updated list of certified
organic operations once each year. With the new database,
made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill, organic certifiers can
add new operations and report changes to existing operations
at any time, allowing USDA to report updated counts of
certified organic operations throughout the year. The
modernized system will provide data for market research,
enable stakeholders to identify market opportunities and
make supply chain connections, support international
verification of operator status to facilitate trade, and establish
technology connections with certifiers to share more accurate
and timely data. Additional information about USDA
resources and support for the organic sector is available on
the USDA Organics Resource page.
According to data released by the Agricultural Marketing
Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the
number of domestic certified organic operations increased by
almost 12 percent between 2014 and 2015, representing the
highest growth rate since 2008 and an increase of nearly 300
percent since the count began in 2002. The total retail
market for organic products is now valued at more than $39
billion in the United States and over $75 billion worldwide.
Along with consumer demand for organics, increasingly they
are asking for local foods. Under Secretary Vilsack, USDA has
supported providing consumers a stronger connection to their
food with more than $1 billion in investments to over 40,000
local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects
since between 2009. Industry data estimates that U.S. local
food sales totaled at least $12 billion in 2014, up from $5
billion in 2008. More information on how USDA investments
are connecting producers with consumers and expanding
rural economic opportunities is available in Chapter IV of
USDA Results on Medium published today.
Since 2009, USDA has focused significant and targeted
investments in America's rural communities to bring
transformative change to millions of rural businesses and
families, demonstrating USDA's efforts to help farmers and
ranchers bring their products to tables domestically and
abroad, build critical infrastructure in America's rural areas,
conserve our nation's natural resources through long-lasting
partnerships, and continuously work toward improving the
lives of all Americans. Those investments have blossomed
across the United States with substantial results in the
burgeoning bio-economy, an exploding local and regional
food system, unparalleled investments in renewable energy,
improved nutrition interventions for young people, historic
partnerships in conservation and greenhouse gas reduction,
and major contributions in rural infrastructure, among some.
USDA will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to
expand opportunity for America's farming families and rural
communities in 2016
USDA has strengthened programs that support organic
operations over the past seven years, helping to make
organic certification more accessible, attainable, and
affordable through a "Sound and Sensible" approach. This
initiative includes streamlining the certification process,
focusing on enforcement and working with farmers and
processors to correct small issues before they become larger
ones.
12
USDA Announces New GroupGAP Program
for the Produce Industry
Helping Smaller Producers Reach New Markets
Several grants are currently available directly from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to help support farmers,
agribusinesses, farm stands, farmers’ markets, and other
ventures:
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2016 – The U.S. Department of
Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today
announced the official launch of GroupGAP, a new certification
program that helps small and mid-sized growers and
cooperatives meet retailers' on-farm food safety requirements.
The Farmers Market Promotion Program funds directto- consumer projects, and is not limited to community-run
farmers’ markets. Deadline is May 12; contact USDA
Agricultural Marketing Service, 202-720-0933, or visit https://
www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp
"We know that GAP certification can sometimes be costprohibitive for smaller farmers," said AMS
Administrator Elanor Starmer. "GroupGAP
allows these farmers to demonstrate
compliance with strong food safety standards
and share the cost of certification across a group
of growers. That means greater market access for farmers, more
options for consumers, and strong verification of food safety
practices. It is a true win-win. We're proud to have developed
this innovative solution in partnership with our stakeholders."
After a robust three-year pilot, AMS will today begin accepting
applications for enrollment in GroupGAP, which certifies that
grower groups are following industry- recognized food safety
practices. By leveraging economies of scale and increasing
efficiencies, GroupGAP improves market access for small and
midsized farmers and benefits the entire produce industry.
The Local Food Promotion Program helps businesses with
processing, distribution or storage of food products. Deadline
is May 12; contact USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, 202720-2731, or visit
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp
The Value Added Producer Grant Program assists
farmers, cooperatives or businesses with processing or
marketing of value-added products. Deadline is June
24; contact Letitia Nichols, USDA Rural Development,
302-857- 3628, or visit
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- services/valueadded-producer-grants
The AMS Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) performs
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits, which are voluntary
audits to verify that farms are following industry-recognized food
safety practices and recommendations from the Food and Drug
Administration. Produce buyers, large and small, are
increasingly requiring suppliers to be GAP certified. Under
GroupGAP, farmers, food hubs, and cooperatives work together
to obtain group certification. Their participation in the program
in turn benefits retailers and other large-volume buyers, who
are better able to meet the increasing demand for local foods
and broaden their base of suppliers.
Maryland Value Added Producer Matching Grants Now
Available From MARBIDCO
MARBIDCO is making available Maryland Value Added
Producer Matching Grants (MVAPMG) of up to 15% of the
amount of a USDA-VAPG award to help an eligible applicant
meet the non-federal financial matching requirement (with a
cap of $25,000). All applicants that meet the MARBIDCO
requirements will receive a commitment of matching funds to
be included with their federal USDA-VAPG application. A
MVAPMG monetary award from MARBIDCO will only be
provided to an applicant that is selected to receive USDAVAPG funding.
AMS GroupGAP audits include an analysis of the group's system
of oversight, a site visit to ensure compliance with various
procedures, and spot checks to verify appropriate on-farm
implementation. For more information or to submit an
application, visit the GroupGAP Website at
www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/groupgap. You can learn
more about the AMS GAP Audit Program at
www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing.
The application submission deadline for the national USDAVAPG program is Friday, July 1, 2016. Questions
regarding the USDA-VAPG can be addressed to the Maryland/
Delaware Office of USDA-Rural Development at
302/857-3629, or visit USDA’s website for more information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/
programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
GroupGAP is just one example of the many AMS programs and
services that support strong local and regional food systems, as
described at www.ams.usda.gov/services/local- regional. Across
USDA, the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative
coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach
efforts related to local and regional food systems. You can read
more about the results of USDA investments in local food on the
USDA website.
Applicants seeking to receive a commitment of matching
funds from MARBIDCO must submit an application at least
two weeks prior to the federal submission deadline. The
deadline for the submission of hand-delivered
MARBIDCO applications is Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at
4:00 p.m. (or by mail, postmarked no later than June
13, 2016). Please visit the MARBIDCO website for more
information and to download the MVAPMG application form:
http://www.marbidco.org. Questions about the MVAPMG may
also be addressed by contacting Andra Davis, MARBIDCO
Financial Programs Specialist, at 410-267-6807.
13
The National Institute for
OccupationalSafety & Health
(NIOSH) is aware of a
Counterfeit N95 Respirator
on the market!
These grant funds can be used for planning or working
capital expenses in accordance with USDA regulations.
Eligible purposes include feasibility studies or business plans,
working capital for marketing value-added agricultural
products and for farm-based renewable energy projects.
MARBIDCO is making available Maryland Value Added
Producer Matching Grants (MVAPMG) of up to 15% of the
amount of a USDA-VAPG award to help an eligible applicant
meet the non- federal financial matching requirement. All
applicants that meet the MARBIDCO requirements will
receive a commitment of matching funds to be included with
their federal USDA-VAPG application. A MVAPMG monetary
award from MARBIDCO will only be provided to an applicant
that is selected to receive USDA-VAPG funding.
While the TC number and private label holder (KOSTO) are
valid, this unapproved unit can be identified by the
misspelling of NIOSH on the front of the respirator.
How can you be sure your respirator is truly NIOSHapproved?
Check the respirator approval markings or Certified
Equipment List
http://www2a.cdc.gov/drds/cel/cel_form_code.asp
Additional information is available on the NIOSH Trusted
Source Page
The application submission deadline for the USDA-VAPG
program is Friday, July 1, 2016. Questions regarding the
USDA- VAPG can be addressed to the Maryland/Delaware
Office of USDA-Rural Development at 302-857-3629, or visit
USDA’s website for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/
disp_part/respsource.html.
As NIOSH becomes aware of counterfeit respirators or those
misrepresenting the NIOSH approval on the market,
information will be posted on our website at
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/default.h
tml#Counterfeit
Applicants seeking to receive a commitment of matching
funds from MARBIDCO must submit an application at least
two weeks prior to the federal submission deadline. The
deadline for submission of MARBIDCO applications is
Tuesday, June 14 2016 (or postmarked by June 13, 2016).
Please visit the MARBIDCO website for more information and
to download the MVAPMG application form. Questions about
the MVAPMG may also be addressed by contacting Andra
Davis, MARBIDCO Financial Programs Specialist, at
410-267-6807
Respirators http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/defau
lt.html#Counterfeit%20Respirators
Southeast Regional Climate Hub
and CLN deliver climate change workshop
The following Web apps are available:
•
Pesticide Education & Search Tool (PEST) – Designed for
the general public as they search for pest control
solutions, this app brings together product
searchfunctions and new pest control information in an
easy-to- understand format. Users can find ways
to control pests without pesticides using a strategy
called integrated pest management (IPM). They can also
view product formulations, ingredients, signal words,
and pests controlled.
• Mobile Access to Pesticides and Labels (MAPL) –
Designed for the general public and applicators who need
to access pesticide labels on mobile devices, this app
complements EPA’s computer-based Pesticide Product
Label System. Users can searchfor pesticide products by
name, use site, type of pest, EPA Registration Number,
registrant, or by using a combination of these search
terms.Insect Repellent Locator (IRL) – Designed to help
the general public find information about all of the EPAregistered products to repel mosquitoes, ticks, or both.
• Pesticides and Local Services (PALS) – Designed for oneclick dialing! Users can find contactinformation on pest
control, reporting pesticide incidents, applicator
licensing, pesticide disposal, and much more.
On January 20-21, 2016, The CLN hosted a virtual Mitigation
and Adaptation Workshop with the USDA Southeastern
Regional Climate Hub. The workshop featured experts in
agriculture and forestry adaptation and mitigation practices. A
major output of this workshop was the production of 16
climate specific webinars which will be available at
climatewebinars.net. Read More
Maryland Value
Added Producer
Matching Grants
Now Available From
MARBIDCO
ANNAPOLIS (April 13, 2016)—The Maryland Agricultural
and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation
(MARBIDCO) has announced a grant funding opportunity to
encourage Maryland's independent agricultural producers to
engage in value-added activities and pursue financial support
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Value Added
Producer Grants Program (USDA- VAPG). The USDA-VAPG is
a highly competitive nationwide grants program with
approximately $44 million available for distribution in 2016.
14
For more information on these apps visit
http://npic.orst.edu/webapps.html.
Paraquat is one of the most widely-used herbicides in the U.S.
for the control of weeds in many agricultural and nonagricultural settings and is also used as a defoliant on crops
such as cotton prior to harvest.
EPA Takes Strong Steps to
Prevent Poisonings
& Protect Workers from Paraquat
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is proposing to take action to stop poisonings caused
by accidental ingestion of the herbicide paraquat, which can
also cause severe injuries or death from skin or eye
exposure.
“We are taking tough steps to prevent people from
accidentally drinking paraquat and to ensure these tragic
deaths become a thing of the past,” said Jim Jones, assistant
administrator for the office of chemical safety and pollution
prevention. “We are also putting safety measures in place to
prevent worker injuries from exposure to this pesticide.”
Since 2000, there have been 17 deaths – three involving
children caused by accidental ingestion of paraquat. These
cases have resulted from the pesticide being illegally
transferred to beverage containers and later
mistaken for a drink and consumed. A single sip can be fatal.
To prevent these tragedies, EPA is proposing:
•
•
•
New closed-system packaging designed to make it
impossible to transfer or remove the pesticide
except directly into the proper application
equipment;
Special training for certified applicators who use
paraquat to emphasize that the chemical must not
be transferred to or stored in improper containers;
and
Changes to the pesticide label and warning
materials to highlight the toxicity and risks
associated with paraquat.
The proposal will be available for a 60 day public comment
period. EPA will consider all public comments before finalizing
these proposed actions later this year. Actions on specific
pesticides are one way that EPA is protecting workers from
pesticide exposure.
EPA’s revised Worker Protection Standard and proposed
Certification and Training Rule will also protect farmworkers
and pesticide applicators.
To view related documents and submit comments, go to
docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855 at www.regulations.gov. For
more information on paraquat:
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticideproducts/paraquat-dichloride .
Distribution of
CertainMouse and Rat
Control Products Ends
On April 1, 2015, Reckitt Benckiser ceased all distribution of 12
d-CON products that do not meet EPA’s current safety
standards. EPA reached an agreement with Reckitt, the
manufacturer, to cancel these products because they are sold
without a protective bait station and pose risks to children
and pets. Additionally, eight of the 12 products pose
unacceptable risks to certain wildlife. Retailers may sell and
consumers may buy these products according to the label
until stocks are exhausted. Users of these d-CON products
must read and follow the product label instructions.
Household rodenticide products that comply with the Agency’s
safety criteria are widely available and are required to be sold
and used with a bait station in most use scenarios. EPA
encourages consumers to use rodenticide products with bait
stations, as proper use of a bait station reduces the risk of
accidental exposure to children, pets, and non-target wildlife.
In addition to the deaths by accidental ingestion, since 2000 there Learn more about the cancellation of these 12 d-Con products.
have been three deaths and many severe injuries caused by
Find examples of household rodenticide products that meet
the pesticide getting onto the skin or into the eyes of those
EPA safety criteria.
working with the herbicide. To reduce exposure to workers
who mix, load and apply paraquat, EPA is proposing:
• Prohibiting application from hand-held and
backpack equipment, and
• Restricting the use to certified pesticide
applicators only (individuals working under the
supervision of a certified applicator would be
Greenness around homes linked to
prohibited from using paraquat).
lower mortality
15
EPA Site Quick Finder
About EPA's Pesticides Program
Overview of EPA's program
evaluating potential new pesticides and uses, providing for
special local needs and emergency situations, reviewing
safety of older pesticides, registering pesticide producing
establishments, enforcing pesticide requirements, pesticide
issues in the works, overview of risk assessment in the
pesticide program
The Spring 2016 issue of Wild & Woolly is now available.
Via HTML at
https://issuu.com/mdsheepgoat/docs/spring2016
Via PDF at
Types of Pesticides
Pesticides are often grouped according to the type of pest
they control or by chemical orsource.
type of pest, chemically-related
http://media.wix.com/ugd/aded98_d98eab45060446f89
2f709c3f4f77bae.pdf
Via ISSUU at
https://issuu.com/mdsheepgoat/docs/spring2016
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions from the public.
Fact Sheets
Search general interest and technical fact sheets.
health and safety, regulatory actions, specific chemicals
Information Sources
Additional information of general interest.
General information, hotlines, information centers,
databases
Wild & Woolly is a quarterly newsletter for sheep and goat
producers and anyone else interested in small ruminants.
For more information, contact Susan Schoenian, Sheep &
Goat Specialist, University of Maryland Extension,
301-432-2767 x 343 or sschoen@umd.edu
Pesticide Program Reports
Reports produced by the Office of Pesticide Programs
Annual Reports, Performance Management &
Accountability, Pesticide Industry Sales and Usage,
Progress Reports, Restricted Use Products Reports
Pesticide News Stories
Pesticide related articles appearing in news media
Publications | Glossary | A-Z Index |
We are enthusiastic to share with you our third volume of
Headwaters. Our ongoing dedication to delivering unbiased
and science-driven information through Headwaters has
improved partnerships and generated success stories across the
Chesapeake Watershed.
In the coming year, we hope you will use Headwaters to stay
informed on the latest stormwater science and programs
involving the Extension Watershed Team.
In this issue, you will find articles that exemplify the breadth of
our reporting. We delve into the science of salt, soils, and
social norms and then introduce Sarah Wilkins, who is a critical
new collaborator for climate science as the Chesapeake Bay’s
Sentinel Site Coordinator.
CDMS:
Pesticide Labels and MSDS On-Line at:
http://www.cdms.net/
For more information on how we support Chesapeake Bay
restoration, please visit our website, www.extension.umd.edu/
watershed.
The Maryland Sea Grant Extension Watershed Educators Team
16
County Website Features:
Anne Arundel County Extension website:
http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county
Ag Newsletter Production Pointers
The current and past agricultural newsletter additions
are available for viewing or copy at:
https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundelcounty/agriculture/anne-arundel-county-agnrnewsletter#
Ag Bulletins
An agricultural bulletin page is also available for viewing
or copy under our hot topics section at:
http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundelcounty/agriculture/agriculture-bulletins
Ag Web Modules
N e w website features in Anne Arundel County Agricultural Program Teaching Modules:
http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundelcounty/agriculture/farm-production-webmodules
1. Pasture Management
2. Pasture Herbicides
3. Handling Tall Fescue Toxicity Events
4. Modern Vegetable Production Technology for
Early Market
5. Vegetable Herbicides for Controlling the Top
10 Weeds of Southern Maryland
6. Sustainable Low Input Strip-Till & No-Till
Vegetable Planting Tactics
7. Fruit Establishment Tactics to Maximize Our
Coastal Plain Advantage
Farmer School
On-Line Farming
Education Series
“Tomorrow’s Farmers” Web Modules”
https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundelcounty/agriculture/tomorrows-farmer-web-modules
Module 1: Introduction to Farming & Course
Orientation: “Tomorrow’s Farmers”
Module 2: The Science and Stewardship of Soils
Module 3: Fundamentals of Farm Machinery
Module 4: Plants that Farmers Grow
Module 5: Integrated Pest Management
Future Module Topics:
• Farm Business and Enterprise
• Development Modern Vegetable Farmer
• Modern Fruit Farmer
• Grain Farming
• Pasture and Hay Management
• Livestock that Farmers Raise
Whether you grew up on a farm or not,
the web modules will open your eyes to
the world of farming. A course designed
for the young and old alike. It just may
make a farmer out of a “city kid” or a “hayseed.”
After viewing the series in its entirety take the Final Exam.
All participants receiving a final Exam Grade of 70% or
above will receive a “Certificate of Farming Competency,”
compliments of the Anne Arundel County Extension Office.
4-H News
Amanda Wahle, 4-H FEA
University of Maryland
8. Vineyard and Orchard Weed Control
9. Vineyard Establishment Supplies & Equipment
Are you between 8 and 18 or know someone who is?
If so have you considered joining 4-H?
The Anne Arundel County 4-H program is growing and
is always looking for new members and volunteers.
The program has community clubs located throughout
Anne Arundel County but is also looking for volunteers
and members to lead new groups. There are a variety
of projects members can participate in including animal
science, environmental sciences and human sciences.
We are also looking for adults to do seminars or
presentations to help 4-Hers learn how they can
further their projects.
Gardening questions? Pest Problems?
The Home and Garden Information
Center can help!
Visit the HGIC website at:
http://extension.umd.edu/hgic
To receive more information, please contact Amanda
Wahle in the Anne Arundel Extension Office at 410222-3900 or at: awahle@umd.edu
17
Thanks for Partnering
Thanks for partnering with the University of Maryland
Extension, and supporting our programs. I also hope you
enjoy this newsletter. If you are no longer interested in
receiving this newsletter, please call or write the office for
the removal of your name from the mailer.
R. David Myers, Principal Agent
Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Maryland Extension
Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties
Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3906 Fax 410-222-3909
Prince George’s County Extension
6707 Groveton Drive
Clinton, MD 20735
301-868-8783
Anne Arundel County Extension
https://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county
4-H Youth Development
For more information, contact Amanda Wahle at
awahle@umd.edu or call 410-222-3900
Family & Consumer Sciences
For more information, contact Vanessa Bright
vbright@umd.edu call 410-222-3903
Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products,
Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within
this newsletter are not to be considered as sole
endorsements. The information has been provided
for educational purposes only.
Agriculture & Natural Resources
For more information, contact Dave Myers
myersrd@umd.edu or call 410 222-3906
Master Gardener Program
For more information, contact Mike Ensor
mensor@umd.edu call 410-222-3906
Nutrient Management
For more information, contact Emileigh Rosso Lucas
erosso@umd.edu call 410-222-3906
18