New! BCFB Important Save-the-Dates

Join your fellow Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers for the anticipated return of the summer picnic! Enjoy an early evening of networking with your peers, delicious barbecue and social, and state-to-national competitions that will showcase the best of the future of Maryland agriculture. This year the picnic will be held on Saturday, August 7th from 3-9pm at the MDFB office in Davidsonville. Registration is $10 per person, and kids under 10 are FREE.

View the event brochure.

Applications are now open for a new leadership development program for Maryland Farm Bureau's member-families. After receiving entries from the county Farm Bureaus, the state Farm Bureau will choose one female and one male ambassador to represent Maryland Farm Bureau and the importance of agriculture’s role in the state from December 2021 – December 2022.

Winners will receive $1,500 over their tenure as the ambassador, representing Maryland Farm Bureau at such events as the Maryland State Fair and Day-in-Annapolis; reimbursements for public appearances; and an all-expenses paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership conference in February.

Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 21 (by Sept. 15, 2021), pursuing either a two- or four-year college degree, and be nominated by their county Farm Bureau. Each county Farm Bureau is eligible to nominate one female and one male nominee. Of those, a judging panel will evaluate contestants based on virtual interviews. From there, finalists will be called to take part in the final selection at Maryland Farm Bureau’s annual meeting on December 4 – 5. Contestants will share prepared presentations and take part in the Discussion Meet, with the winner being announced at the annual meeting.

Please share this application with full details with your child or grandchild. Student membership nominees are also welcome. Applications are due by noon on September 15, 2021.

This program replaces the previous Miss Maryland Agriculture program. We look forward to opening up pathways and learning of the promise of all young agriculturalists in this state. Please contact Vanessa Finney for more information.

New! BCFB Membership Signs

The first 50 BCFB members that place an order for their farm/company's membership sign will receive a $60 dollar rebate from

Sizing and Pricing:

Double sided

18" x 24" $145

3' x 4' $380

Single sided

18" x 24" $105

3' x 4' $320

Double sided

18" x 24" $135

3' x 4' $350

Single sided

18" x 24" $95

3' x 4' $ 290

To claim your $60 rebate, provide proof of purchase to the BCFB via email.

Questions? Please contact BCFB at 410-823-1789 or email

410-620-9180 www.adartsignsinc.com

Maryland Farm & Harvest was nominated for SEVEN National Capital / Chesapeake Bay region Emmy Awards! Congratulations!

About the Show Ever been to a Maryland farm to see how our food is grown? Have you seen a cow being milked, or corn being harvested at night? How about watermelons being hand-picked or broccoli seedlings being gently planted into the soil in early spring? In fact, many Marylanders have never visited farms, though they've driven by them many times without knowing it.

To help Marylanders learn more about agriculture - the state's number one industry - Maryland Public Television (MPT) in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has created Maryland Farm & Harvest, an Emmy award-winning series that puts a human face on farming.

Hosted by Joanne Clendining, Maryland Farm & Harvest takes viewers around the state to see and experience what it's like to run a 21st century farm – from technological advances and conservation challenges to age-old complications such as weather hardships. MF&H also captures the number one reason why planters and growers dedicate themselves to it all: their simple love of farming.

Have a question or comment for the Maryland Farm & Harvest team? Write to them at farm@mpt.org.

Ending this month! USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Up to $4 million in competitive grants is available to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects. USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov for planning and implementation projects until midnight July 30, 2021. Read the full press release.

USDA Launches 2021 Agricultural Resource Management Survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is collecting data from farmers and ranchers for its annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, the well-being of farm households, farm finances, chemical usage, and various farm production characteristics. The survey also collects detailed information on production practices, costs, and returns for different commodities on a rotating basis. In 2021, the survey will take a closer look at corn, rice, dairy and organic dairy production in the United States. More here. 

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has opened online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are providing solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors: Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, FMC Corporation and John Deere. Launched in 2015 as the first national competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs, the Challenge continues to identify the next ag entrepreneurs to watch and supports innovation essential to Farm Bureau member businesses and communities. Apply by August 20th.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Highlights -

Ending tomorrow! Sign-up Period for Cover Crop Program Begins July 1 On June 8, 2021, MDA announced announced that the sign-up period for this year’s annual Cover Crop Program will run from July 1-16, 2021. The popular conservation program provides farmers with cost-share assistance to offset seed, labor, and equipment costs associated with planting cover crops on their fields in fall to build healthy soils and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Read the full press release.

New! 2021 Maryland Agricultural Fair and Show Season in Full Swing The 2021 Maryland agricultural fair and show season is underway and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages citizens to attend at least one of these events across the state. State and county fairs give the public the perfect opportunity to learn more about agriculture and experience a taste of rural life. Read the full press release.

New! Department Awards $2.9 Million in Animal Waste Technology Fund Grants As of June 29th, the MDA has awarded more than $2.9 million in grants from its Animal Waste Technology Fund that aims to increase environmental benefits for chicken and dairy operations. The grants were awarded as part of the state’s commitment to help farmers improve how they manage animal manure, protect natural resources, and pursue clean and renewable energy sources. Read the full press release.

LEAD Maryland Fellowship Cohort, Class XII (2022-23) As of June 1st, interested candidates are encouraged to apply for participation in LEAD Maryland Class XII (2022-23). Class XII will participate in 2022-23. The application will remain open until October 1. All application materials can be found on the homepage of the LEAD Maryland website.

Are you receiving the University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural newsletter for Baltimore County: Ag Insight?

In the July edition, you'll find:

To receive the newsletter directly, email Erika Crowl.

Visit the UMD Extension website for past newsletters.

The Baltimore County Ag Center is hosting a Farmer's Market via an outdoor market running on Friday's from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May through November. Vendor applications are now be accepted.

The Ag Center is looking for all types of agricultural products as well as hot food vendors. It is asked that items be grown / produced within 100 miles of the AG Center and be produced by the vendor. (no re-selling)

View the application and vendor contract with additional information.

Work Boots.com is an online store specializing in work footwear, apparel and equipment. With styles from industry giants like Carhartt, Dickies, Timberland Pro and Wolverine, Work Boots.com is a one-stop shop for all work wear requirements. Members of the Maryland Farm Bureau receive a 15% off discount to Work Boots.com Call (636) 680-8061 or 410-922-3426 for the promo code. More here.    

MYDEALS Mobile App for Member Savings Advantage Looking for an easy way to see your member benefits all in one place? Download the Member Savings Advantage app on your phone to receive exclusive discounts at thousands of popular restaurants and retailers. Take a look at how the MYDEALS app works. The app can be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet from the APP Store or Google Play. Members can find discounts that are in their area based on their location when using the app.  If a member already registered on the website with a user email and password that same credential can be used on the mobile app. If not, a member will need to go to “Setup Account” and enter the program ID -200655 and their Farm Bureau ID# as the Mobile Password. If Access has an email address and password on file, it will pre-populate the “Setup Account” page and the member will need to finish registration. Learn more about the Member Savings Advantage program.

Mini Grant Program

The Mini Grants Program for Community Engagement is designed to engage Maryland residents in activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources. Details of the program can be found on the website.

The program status is open. This program runs annually; we begin accepting applications at the start of June every year. To view the RFP, click here.

Deadline: Rolling basis. Requests for this Mini Grant Program are accepted on an on-going basis until funds are fully expended for the fiscal year. 

Sarah Everhart and Margaret Todd with the UMD Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI), recently wrote an article about the Agricultural Employment Surveys being conducted by the Maryland Department of Labor. Read their article titled Prevailing Wage and Practices - Agricultural Employment Surveys. The article covers critical elements of the Ag Employment sector and includes links to the Agricultural Online Wage Library and the Agricultural Employment Practice Survey Library. Additional UMD Agriculture Law Education Initiative articles can be viewed here.blogs can be accessed here on the college's website.

New Blog! Maryland Risk Management Education Blog

The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources' Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has a blog that is focused on issues related to agricultural policy, crop insurance, and agricultural law.

The most recent blog from July 6, 2021 titled Group Does Not Have Standing to Challenge USDA Loan Guarantee for Poultry Farm can be viewed here. Earlier blogs can be accessed here on the college's website.

MPT's Maryland Farm & Harvest is thrilled to be in their 8th Season!

Check out the links below that feature our new season 8 promotional video via Facebook and YouTube, and please like & share with all your networks!

All past episodes can be viewed at MPT’s website.

Please save the date for Maryland Farm Bureau's Annual Convention which will be held on