NEWS

2020 Funded Projects by MGPUB Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board has funded 33 projects for 2020. Your check-off dollars will be hard at work this coming year. Congratulations to all those who will be receiving funding! A press release was shared to news outlets earlier this week, read the full article here .

China Phase One Agreement, Signed! On Wednesday, January 15 th Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and President Donald Trump signed a “phase one” trade deal at the White House. China will purchase up to $80 billion in agriculture goods over the next two years. The agreement is set to go into effect on February 14 th . There will be a second phase of negotiations, but it will not be concluded until after the presidential election in November. Learn more about the agreement here from the US Grains Council. The full 96 page agreement can be found here . Update on USMCA USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue says, “We’ve long waited for this day and now USMCA will finally head to the President’s desk.” On Wednesday, January 15 th , the US Senate voted 89 – 10 and passed this bill. Read the full story to see provisions on biotechnology, the wheat grading system and more, here .

MDA Moves Forward with the PMT New funding and initiatives for Maryland farmers in relation to the PMT has been announced. With an additional $1 million for the Manure Transport Program, MDA has a shorter, more flexible application and claim forms. In addition, a manure hotline is available for those looking to move manure off their property or on their property. Read the full story to see other new advancements, here .

Facebook Giveaway

Currently the Maryland Grain Producers has a giveaway on our Facebook Page, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit. Please interact with this post in some capacity.

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ARC/PLC - 2020 Enrollment Period

Enrollment is now open and will close on March 15 th . At this time, you will be electing for 2019 and 2020. If you do not elect this year, it will default to what was used last. PLC looks at the average yield from 2013 to 2017. ARC has two options; CO – using RMA yields and IC – using individual farm yields. Please contact your FSA Office for more questions.

2019 Annual MACS Report

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has released the 2019 Maryland Agriculture Water Quality Cost-Share Program. This report shares information on what programs, projects, and practices that were funded. See the full report here .

Grain Marketing Event

On January 10 th , the University of Maryland Extension put on a Grain Marketing program at Chesapeake College. This event was broadcasted to other offices to reach more audience. CBIZ MHM updated farmers on tax information. Nagel Farm Service, Inc. presented on the 2020 Market Outlook and Structure Contracts. And Extension ended the program with a presentation on Crop Insurance and Farm Bill information.

Maryland Farm and Harvest

Season 7 is still playing every Tuesday evening at 7 PM. If you missed an episode, watch is here , now.

Sorghum Yield Contest Winners

Sorghum Growers announced their 2019 Yield Contest winners. Maryland’s state winner for Dry-Land No-Till from Montgomery County is William F. Willard Farms LLC with 135.69 acres. See all recipients here .

LEGISLATION UPDATE

Maryland State Budget

The 2020 Maryland Legislative Session is underway. The Governor's Budget was released yesterday and agriculture fared very well! The MDA Office of Resource Conservation was allocated 53 employee positions in order to retain approximately 30 planners and technicians in the soil conservation districts that are annually grant funded and increase the technical assistance capacity for agriculture to meet the Watershed Implementation Plan for Bay Clean-up. The Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share program was funded at $8M and the Cover Crop Program was fully funded. The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation received record funding as well.

Legislation of Interest

HB 100 - Maryland Agricultural Commission - Hemp Industry Member Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo - This bill adds a member to the Maryland Agricultural Commission for the Hemp industry. HB156 - Agriculture - Cost-Sharing Program - Sale of Harvested Cover Crops Delegate Kerr - This bill requires the Maryland Cover Crop Program to pay a commodity cover crop incentive for grain grown over the winter harvested specifically for the purpose of brewing and distilling alcohol in Maryland. HB173 - Natural Resources - Sunday Hunting Chair - EHEA - This bill consolidates the authority to DNR to allow for Sunday hunting under specified circumstances. HB229 - Pesticides - Used of Chlorpyrifos - Prohibition Delegate Stein - This bill prohibits the use of Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) and seeds treated with Chlorpyrifos stating October 2020. SB19 - Agriculture - Management-Intensive Farming and Grazing Senator Young - This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to designate $500,000 in funding for cost-share associated with management intensive farming and grazing practices. SB92 - Secretary of Agriculture - Weed Control Law Chair - EHEA - This bill authorizes Soil Conservation Districts to be qualified to enter in to agreements with the Department of Agriculture to implement the Noxious Weed Law. Check back for updates!

EVENTS

Taste of Maryland Dinner

The 50th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture Celebration will be held Thursday, February 6th at Michael's 8th Avenue in Glen Burnie. For more information, click here.

Women In Ag Conference

On February 12th and 13th at Dover Downes Hotel and Casino the annual Women In Ag Conference will take place. Register here.

Annie's Project - Farm Management

2020 topics will cover the five areas of Risk Management - Production, Marketing, Financial, Legal Risk, and Human Resources. Classes will be held in Southern MD, Frederick County, Lower Shore, Baltimore County, and the Mid Shore. These classes have already begun in some regions. Learn more and register here.

MFB Trucking Forums

The Maryland Farm Bureau will have three trucking forums this winter. There will be one in January, February, and March. Learn more here.

Cover Crop Workshop

Mr. Steve Groff will be at Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation District on February 5th. Come on out to learn about the innovations of advanced cover cropping. Register here for free.

Farm Bill Workshops

One-day workshops geared towards educating Maryland producers on changes associated with the 2018 Farm Bureau will be hosted across the state in February. Learn more and find a workshop closest to you, here.

Nutrient Management Plan Assistance

The University of Maryland Extension will have their nutrient management specialists available to assist you at six workshops this winter. The first event is February 3rd. For more information and to register, click here.

National Commodity Classic

Commodity Classic is quickly approaching. We hope to see you there in San Antonio. Register here.

Delmarva Soil Summit

On February 26th and 27th in Georgetown Delaware the Delmarva Soil Summit will kick-off. This two day event has breakout sessions for all types of producers. Learn more here.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Maryland Farm Bureau

For the 2020 to 2021 academic year, Maryland Farm Bureau is offering five $2,000 scholarships. The applicant of their guardians must be members of Maryland Farm Bureau. Scholarships are available to those enrolled in college working towards a degree. Applications must be received by February 10th! Apply here.

Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers

Are you or someone you know enrolled in an agronomy related program? Be sure to apply for one of the two $1,000 scholarships from Mid-Atlantic CCA! Recipients will also get to take the CCA Exam after graduation, free of cost. Applications are due March 6th. Apply here.

Delmarva Poultry Industry

The Delmarva Poultry Industry is offering scholarships in the amount of $1,500 for undergraduate and graduate students. One must be a resident of the Delmarva and have an academic major in a subject area relevant to the chicken industry. Applications must be received before April 3rd. Apply here.

Created By: Jenell Eck Programs and Public Relations Director jenell.mdag@gmail.com www.marylandgrain.org Please contact with any questions.

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