MDA Announces Healthy Soil Biomass Pilot Program
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The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched a Healthy Soil Biomass pilot program for farmers who were approved to participate in the department’s 2018-2019 winter cover crop program, but were unable to plant all of their acreage. The pilot program will pay these farmers a flat rate of $45/acre to plant qualifying small grains in leftover, unplanted fields to create a healthy soil biomass and protect water quality in nearby streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
The pilot program works in a similar way to the department’s traditional cover crop program, but it is a separate and distinct program with its own set of rules and requirements. These farmers may plant up to 500 acres of qualifying small grains on “leftover fields” that they did not plant in traditional cover crops. Farmers have a choice of planting methods, but only wheat, rye or triticale may be used as the seed source. The planting deadline for the pilot program is December 1.
Farmers will need to certify acreage planted under the program with their local soil conservation district within one week of planting. Kill-down may not take place before
May 1.
The healthy soil biomass pilot program is a performance-based cost-share program. To qualify for the $45/acre payment, a sufficient amount of biomass will need to be present by May 1
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Take Action Now to Have a Farm Bill Passed
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With the mid-term elections behind us, we have a handful of legislative days for Congress to pass the Farm Bill. We ask you now to reach out to your elected officials and urge them to take action. Inaction is not an option. This bill must be passed before Congress adjourns. Below are instructions on how to call your representative and a sample message that can be given.
Find your elected officials by
clicking here
. Press the phone icon next to your legislator’s name to reveal the phone number to that office. You can also email them by clicking the link provided.
Sample message:
Hi. My name is [NAME]. I’m a constituent from [PLACE] and a farmer. I’m calling today to urge Congress to pass a new farm bill before adjourning for the year.
Times are really tough for agriculture – prices are low and a lot of trade uncertainty still exists. The farm bill would provide much-needed certainty for us as we look to the next year.
So, please, work with your colleagues – the only way to really get this done is by being bipartisan – and pass a farm bill during the lame duck session.
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FSA County Committee Elections to Begin
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Maryland Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive
Director Jim Eichhorst announced
last week
that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin
mailing ballots to eligible agricultural producers for the 2018 FSA county committee elections on
Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 3, 2018, to
ensure their vote is counted.
“County committee members represent the farmers, ranchers and foresters in our Maryland
communities,” said Eichhorst. “Producers elected to these committees have always played
a vital
role in local agricultural decisions. It is a valued partnership that helps us better understand the needs
of the farmers and ranchers we serve.”
Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has
three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee
seats are up for election each year. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment
to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs; conservation programs;
indemnity and disaster programs; emergency programs and eligibility.
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Perdue AgriBusiness to open New Organic Grain Facility in Baltimore County
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Perdue AgriBusiness, a division of Perdue Farms, announced last week a $30 million investment to open an organic grain receiving and storage facility at Tradepoint Atlantic in eastern Baltimore County to meet the rising demand for organic feed ingredients for Perdue Foods and other companies in the region. The facility will also include grain and oilseed processing/milling.
“Tradepoint Atlantic at the Port of Baltimore is ideally located to receive grain and supply organic customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Dick Willey, president, Perdue AgriBusiness. “We work directly with local farmers and traders in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia to source organic grain and soybeans. This new complex will be a key part of an integrated supply chain that enables us to increase business and reduce the cost while maintaining the quality of our organic products.”
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The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics is collaborating with the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI), the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Nationwide Insurance, and the University of Maryland Extension to provide farm succession workshop around the state. The workshops will focus on the farm succession process, including communication, business planning, estate planning basics, and tax basics. All generations on the farm are encouraged to attend.
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Lack of communication, lack of knowledge, and lack of security in the rental relationship have all been cited as reasons why conservation practices are less common on leased farmland. Through train-the-trainer workshops, the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agroecology will give agricultural service providers communication and leasing strategies to help landowners and farmers overcome the challenges of implementing conservation practices on leased farmland. Interested landowners and farmers are also encouraged to attend.
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As part of the state’s engagement strategy for Phase III WIP development, officials have set dates for six workshops at locations across the state. This set of fall workshops is scheduled from Nov. 16 through Dec. 5, 2018, and is intended to focus on local goals, opportunities for collaboration, and how to proceed to reach targets in 2025 and beyond.
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University of Maryland Extension will be conducting crop production meetings around the state between December and March. The most recent research, information and data will be shared at these meetings and will help make 2019 growing decisions for crops. Private pesticide applicator and nutrient management credits will be offered.
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EPA Announces Changes to Dicamba Registration
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is extending the registration of dicamba for two years for “over-the-top” use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba. Label changes were made to ensure that these products can continue to be used effectively while addressing potential concerns to surrounding crops and plants. This action was informed by input from and extensive collaboration between EPA, state regulators, farmers, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and other stakeholders.
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Scholarship Applications due December 1:
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The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is proud to announce that applications for the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship are now being accepted. NWF and chemical company, BASF, partner together each year to award four scholarships to students pursuing agriculture-related degrees. NWF and BASF created the scholarship to honor the life and legacy of Jerry Minore, a BASF employee and an advocate for wheat farmers and the agriculture industry.
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The National Corn Growers Association and BASF Corporation announced today that it is now accepting applications for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree during the 2019-20 school year. For the first time, NCGA will accept applications from students pursuing degrees in all subject areas. Previously, only those pursuing those in agriculture-related fields were considered.
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Stand Up for Grain Markets!
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NOW is the time to make your voice heard and submit comments to strengthen markets for farmers and maintain a strong Farm Bill.
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