Dear MNLGA Members:
Spring is in the air, that's for sure! We are in the midst of gearing up for Field Day next month - registration will open in the next few weeks.
We have two important updates below on the H2B announcement and the Montgomery County pesticide use ordinance.
The MNLGA communicated yesterday the
release of an additional 30,000 H2B visas. Thanks to AmericanHort - we have
more information to share on this release.
Please see the linked document from AmericanHort detailing more information on the release as well as the links that you will need to submit the appropriate paperwork. The document is based on input coordinated with AmericanHort and other H2B Workforce Coalition Chairs. Please note the tight time frames in which employers will need to act.
As noted yesterday - please keep a few things in mind in regards to this release...
- The deadline to file/apply for these positions is May 14th
- The additional visas are for returning workers only
- Only returning workers from 2016, 2017, or 2018 will be considered
- You may apply at the Department of Homeland Security website; file form I-129 as well as the appropriate attestation form.
Montgomery County Pesticide Use Update: The below release is courtesy of NALP - we will keep all members abreast of this important development as well.
This past Friday, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals overturned a previous decision of a Maryland Circuit Court that reinstates a ban on cosmetic use of pesticides in Montgomery County. It is unclear if the plaintiffs in this case will file an appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court or seek injunctive relief to prevent the ordinance from going into effect until appeals have been exhausted. At this point in time the ordinance is not yet in effect.
In a press release posted on the Montgomery County website shortly after the decision was announced said in part, “The Montgomery County Attorney is reviewing the effect of the decision from the Court of Special Appeals on the implementation of the law and will advise the Department of Environmental Protection on the timing of enforcement. Restrictions on the use of registered pesticides on private property were scheduled to take effect two years after the adoption of the law in order to give the County time to conduct extensive outreach and allow property owners to adjust their lawn care practices.”
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=23070
NALP continues to monitor this issue and will communicate any developments as they occur. For questions or for further information, please contact Bob Mann at
bob@landscapeprofessionals.org
If you have not yet completed your 2018 horticulture industry survey, please do so. We need as high a percentage of participants as possible to really have a true picture of our industry’s impact and status. Survey questionnaires are available from the third party conducting and compiling the survey results, BEACON. Please contact BEACON directly if you need a questionnaire. The survey is available via paper or electronic. BEACON may be reached at 410-546-6001 or via
beacon@salisbury.edu. Please let me know if you’ve any questions about the survey.
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2018 Statistical Profile and Economic Survey -
If your business has not yet completed the 2018 Hort Industry Economic and Statistical survey, please do so as soon as possible and definitely before the end of April. This survey is very important for measuring the impact our businesses have across the state. The results give us power, including information for making future business plans, such as availability of markets and products, and hard data about the strength of the industry when working with financiers and legislators. I can not underestimate the importance of high participation in this survey to arm us with the most accurate reflection of Maryland’s horticulture industry. Please complete your survey. If you need the link or a paper copy, please contact BEACON at
beacon@salisbury.edu or via 410-546-6001. MNLGA has hired BEACON, the Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network at the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, to issue, conduct, and compile the survey results. No one outside of statisticians at BEACON will have access to any individual responses. All responses will remain confidential.
Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine in DE, PA, and NJ – Quarantine permits will be strictly enforced beginning May 1! Our neighboring states have added staff to enforce quarantine compliance and trucks not displaying the quarantine permits will be stopped and fined. Please get your quarantine training; it's easy and relatively quick, online. Please visit the
DDA website at this link to view the specifics regarding the Delaware quarantine. For a refresher on the
PA and NJ quarantines, please visit this link; PA and NJ go hand-in-hand with quarantine training.
Sincerely,
Vanessa A. Finney
MNLGA, Executive Director
410-823-8684
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Scholarships 2019
The MNLGA announces the availability of several scholarships for college-aged horticulture students.
The MNLGA Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship will award
three $5,000 scholarships for eligible students in ornamental horticulture and landscape programs.
Applications for this scholarship are due May 31st. Visit the
MNLGA website, for more information and the application.
In addition to the aforementioned scholarships, the MNLGA in conjunction with MANTS, sponsors the Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is administered by the Horticulture Research Institute. Further information regarding this program
may be found here.
The MNLGA website also includes scholarship information for awards offered by the Southern Nursery Association. Detailed information regarding each of these opportunities
may be found here.
The Baltimore County Farm Bureau is also offering up to three $2,500 scholarships. The deadline to apply is April 26, 2019. Applicants must be at least high school seniors starting college in the fall of 2019 or full-time college students at any community college or four-year institution. Applicants or their parents/guardians MUST be members of Baltimore County Farm Bureau. Two of the scholarships will be offered to students majoring in an agricultural curriculum and one scholarship will be offered to a student majoring in any curriculum.
Learn More.
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National Green Industry Survey Begins Data Collection
Source: AmericanHort
The Green Industry Research Consortium, with funding support from the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), is launching the National Green Industry Survey this month. This represents the seventh time that this survey has been conducted since 1989. The purpose of the survey is to document trends in production, marketing, and retailing practices in the U.S. Green Industry.
Read the full article.
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Thousand Cankers Disease Detected in Baltimore City and County
State to expand quarantine zone to City, parts of Baltimore County
The Maryland Department of Agriculture as of May 1st, enacted a quarantine, effective immediately, that makes it illegal for anyone to move any walnut material and hardwood firewood out of a 185 square mile area that covers Baltimore City and parts of Baltimore County. This action is in response to the detection of thousand cankers disease in a Baltimore industrial area. An existing quarantine remains active in Cecil County, as well.
The area quarantined includes all of Baltimore City and the southeast corner of Baltimore County (map). Non-compliance with the quarantine order could result in criminal or civil penalties.
Read the full press release.
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12 Scholarships Available for Basic Horticulture Certificate Program
The Sustainable Horticulture Department at CCBC has 12 full Scholarships available for the Basic Horticulture Technician Certificate Program for the Fall semester.
The Basic Horticulture Technician Certificate is an excellent way for a student to get started in the Horticulture Industry. The Certificate allows students to earn a basic credential in just one semester. Students take 4 courses, for a total of 12 college credits. The classes are: Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture, Soils and Fertilizers, Herbaceous Plant Materials and a choice between Integrated Pest Management or Landscape Installation and Construction.
Basic Hort. Technician Certificate
When: Fall 2019 Semester (August 26-December 13) at CCBC Hunt Valley. Classses are Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30am to 4:45 pm. (15 weeks)
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MDA Implements New Pesticide Sensitive Crop and Beehive Locator
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The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section has announced the implementation of
FieldWatch, an online registry that connects beekeepers, specialty crop growers, and pesticide applicators around the state. This registry uses precision mapping tools to help commercial applicators know where beehives and specialty crops are located, thus showing which areas are more sensitive to pesticides.
Read the full press release.
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NGMA Issues Statement on Proposed Changes to International Energy Conservation Code
Source: Greenhouse Management
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The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) spends time and money to monitor the building and energy codes as they apply to the horticulture and greenhouse crop production industries. Through its Codes and Standards Committee, NGMA proposes appropriate changes and clarifications, opposes proposals that have a negative impact on the industry, and provides resources for education and interpretation of the codes.
According to Matt Stuppy, President of Stuppy and a member of NGMA’s Codes and Standards Committee, in 2019 there are two significant proposed changes to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that greenhouse owners and operators should know about.
Read the full article.
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USDA Releases 2017 Census of Ag
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) published the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture with new information about the 12,429 Maryland farms and those who operate them, including first-time data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level.
Read the full press release.
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Watershed Implementation Plan Workshops
Webinar Date Remains Open!
Registration is open for the webinar that will be held in May 2019 as part of Maryland's engagement strategy for its most recent Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The webinar will feature an overview of the current draft WIP and provide you with opportunities to ask questions of State agency representatives. There is no cost to participate in the webinar.
Read More and find links to register.
- Friday, May 17, 2019 Webinar
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UMD IPM Report - May 3rd
Now that Spring is upon us - as many of you know UMD Extension releases a weekly Landscape and Nursery IPM Report. If you would like to be included on the distribution list -
please email Suzanne Klick.
The link below is for the most current IPM report.
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New MDA Site for Registering Nursery Locations for Spray Drift Prevention
This new site is a voluntary communication tool that enables crop producers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators to work together to protect specialty crops and apiaries through use of mapping programs. It is not a substitute for any state regulatory requirements.
Learn More.
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AmericanHort - Impact Washington Summit
September 16-18 in D.C.
Impact Washington is a two-day advocacy summit where green industry business owners and leaders can take action in Washington, D.C. Providing a united front, this is an opportunity for the landscaper, plant grower, garden retailer, and entire green industry communities to personally and collectively advocate for decisions that help us continue the growth of our $193 billion industry.
Over the course of two days, participants will hear from elected leaders, their staff, and other policy experts on issues of great impact on green industry business success. Attendees will share their experiences directly with policy makers, providing real-world context and influence to the decisions being made.
Learn More.
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MD Turfgrass Association Jim Claxton Scholarship
Submit Applications by 5/31
The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund was initiated during the Spring of 2011 in order to honor Jim and his contributions to the Mid-Atlantic area turfgrass industry and financially support students while pursuing a college degree.
Jim worked as a salesman for Newsom Seed from the early 1990's until soon before his passing on March 20, 2013. He made great contributions to turfgrass related businesses during this period, especially businesses involved in turf production.
The Jim Claxton Scholarship Fund allows for a single, annual $500.00 award to be issued to a winning applicant prior to the fall college semester.
Learn More and Apply Today.
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AG Literacy Opportunities
New Ways to Participate in the Ag Literacy Program
George Mayo would like to share the following information: This Ag in the Classroom program seeks to instill in Maryland students the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. Any group or individual wishing to promote agriculture is invited to participate – Farmer Bureau members, FFA students, Young Farmers, Commodity group leaders, retirees, or interested individuals.
Literacy Volunteers set up a time to visit in a nearby school and read to students in grades K-3. Following the reading of the book, volunteers conduct an activity with the students and share their experiences in agriculture. The book is then left in the classroom or media center.
For more information or to order a book for $10, contact Jeanne Mueller at
jmueller@maefonline.com or 410-848-4745.
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